Keeping Your Baby Comfortable
There are plenty of things you can do to keep your baby (and you) happier and more comfortable as the first molars erupt. Give your child a rubber teething ring to chew on. The pressure helps to ease gum pain. You can chill the teething ring in the refrigerator before you give it to your baby, but never freeze it. Frozen teething rings can injure your baby's delicate oral tissues and worsen the discomfort, explains the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Giving your baby a gum massage can also help ease pain. To perform a massage, simply rub the sore gums with your clean finger. This works by helping to counteract the pressure from the erupting first molar.
Cold foods and drinks can also help ease the pain of sore gums. If your baby will tolerate it, try filling his or her bottle with cold water to help numb the gums. Foods like chilled applesauce, yogurt or ice pops are also good choices. Since sugars can cause tooth decay, try to limit these cold foods to meal times, and brush your child's teeth afterward.