There are many indicators to look out for which suggest your child may be teething. Drooling, fingers in the mouth and chewing on solid objects are the most common ones. Some teething children don’t appear to be bothered by it, but teething can cause your tot to become irritable and unsettled, and upset their usual feeding and sleep patterns. Although teething may cause a slight rise in a child’s body temperature, other symptoms such as fever and diarrhoea are usually related to illness, not teething.

If teething is distressing your child, give your tot extra cuddles and attention. This reassures your baby that you are there, and helps to soothe any discomfort. Sit quietly, or move gently around the room, holding your baby in your arms, close to you. It’s not always easy, but make sure you stay calm to avoid increasing your little one’s distress.

Many of us overcome pain through distraction, and this works for teething children, too, as it helps to take their mind off what’s going on inside their mouths. Move to a different room for a change of scenery and play favourite or calming music. Bring out popular toys and read stories, or play at being a clown. Do anything that distracts your child from the discomfort of teething and that hopefully brings a smile to your little one’s face.

Teething children put their fingers in their mouths to explore what’s going on, and also because rubbing sore gums brings relief. You can do this for your baby, too, but make sure you wash your hands first. Gently massage your child’s gums with light pressure from your fingertips. Alternatively, you can use a clean, damp cloth to apply soothing pressure directly to the gums.

A teething child will enjoy chewing on something hard, for example a dry crust of bread or a carrot. These can be chilled in the fridge for additional benefit. Other good foods are sugar-free teething biscuits or unsweetened rusks. Supervise your child while he or she chomps away and watch for chunks that may break off and cause choking. A cool drink will soothe sore gums too and keep a child hydrated. Cool yogurt and unsweetened apple purée are other favourite foods during teething.

A teething gel can cool the gums and provide temporary numbing relief from discomfort. Massage the gel onto your baby’s gums with a clean finger for maximum effect. Natural treatments containing chamomile are very soothing, too. Paracetamol and ibuprofen suspensions that are suitable for children will relieve pain and can help with irritability, poor feeding and disturbed sleep. Never give a baby (or any child under 16) aspirin, and as with all medication, always read the label first. If you’re not sure, ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice.

Children love to chew on things at the best of times – it’s a way of exploring new textures. Teething tots gain immense relief from uncomfortable gums by chewing and biting down on something hard. Teething rings are very popular, especially ones that can be cooled. Chill with cold water or in the fridge, but not in the freezer, as a frozen teether could damage the gums.

Drooling suggests that the teeth are pushing through the gums at last, and it’s completely normal when a child is teething. To prevent the skin of the chin, neck and chest from becoming irritated, chaffed and sore, keep a clean, dry cloth handy to remove any dribble and dry your child’s skin. A barrier cream like Vaseline applied to these areas will also help to protect the skin, or use a terry towelling bib or muslin square tied around the neck to absorb the dribble if it gets really bad. Remember, wet clothing will need to be changed immediately to avoid chapping.

In the past, many symptoms were put down to teething. But nowadays it’s believed that fever, diarrhoea, vomiting and coughing are probably due to viral infection, which can occur at any time, rather than due to teething. Put simply, teething shouldn’t make a child ill. It’s sensible to seek medical advice if your tot is unwell, has a fever, or any other signs of illness, or if you are at all concerned.

Teething starts the dental-care ball rolling. Between the ages of two and three, your child should have all 20 of their baby (or milk) teeth. At this stage, you should make sure they have regular dental check-ups and follow your dentist’s advice on how to brush your child’s teeth and the best toothpaste to use. Let your child watch you brush your teeth so they can learn from you. Keep sweet and acidic foods and drinks to a minimum, and encourage healthy alternatives, such as raw vegetables and water.