7 Best Teething Gel To Tackle Your Child's Teething Discomfort

Teething — teeth coming through the gums — is a frustrating time for both parents and their babies. For some babies, teething can be painless but for others, it is an uncomfortable experience that disrupts their sleep and leads them to feel irritated.

There are ways to curb this problem; from over-the-counter gel for teething in Singapore remedies to natural teething alternatives, we're here to help! In this article, we share the best teething gel that parents have recommended, as well as some natural remedies. Read away!

6 symptoms of teething

1. Excessive Drooling: One of the most common symptoms of teething issues is excessive drooling. The baby's mouth produces more saliva during this period, which can lead to drooling.

2. Chewing and Biting: Teething babies often exhibit symptoms of teething issues by chewing on their hands, toys, or anything they can get their hands on. The pressure from chewing helps to relieve the discomfort in their gums.

3. Irritability and Discomfort: Teething issues can cause discomfort and pain in the gums, leading to irritability and crankiness in babies. They may also have trouble sleeping or may wake up frequently during the night due to the symptoms of teething.

4. Swollen and Tender Gums: As the teeth push through the gums, they can cause swelling and tenderness in the area. The gums may also appear red and inflamed, which are common symptoms of teething issues.

5. Changes in Eating Habits: Symptoms of teething issues in babies may cause them to refuse to eat or drink as much as usual due to the discomfort they are experiencing.

6. Ear Pulling or Rubbing: The pain from teething issues can radiate to the ears, causing babies to tug on their ears as symptoms of teething.

7 best teething gels safe for your kids

When your little one is in discomfort, rubbing a gel for teething over his or her gums may help. 

Dentinox Teething Gel

Best sugar-free teething gel 

Why it's great: Are you ready to face the challenge of a teething baby? The drool, the sleepless nights, the endless cries - it's enough to make even the toughest parent want to throw in the towel.

But fear not, my fellow parent warriors, for there is a secret weapon in our arsenal — Dentinox Teething Gel!

This little tube of gel for teething is truly made for your baby's sore gums.

With its powerful, fast-acting formula, this gel for teething numbs the pain and soothes the discomfort caused by those pesky teeth trying to make their way through. And let's be honest, we all know that a happy baby equals a happy household.

But Dentinox Teething Gel is not just any ordinary teething remedy. It's the knight in shining armour, the saviour of all parents in need. It's the answer to the prayers we didn't even know we had.

And, best of all, it's super easy to use - just apply a pea-sized amount onto your baby's gums and wait for the magic to happen.

So, if you're ready to conquer the teething monster, Dentinox Teething Gel is your trusty sidekick. Together, you and your baby can face the challenge with confidence and emerge victorious.

Because let's face it, being a parent is tough, but with Dentinox Teething Gel, it's a little less so.

Dentinox Teething Gel is suitable for babies from birth, is sugar-free and helps to eliminate possible infections. Also, it's actually pretty pleasant tasting for your little ones.

But most importantly, it works! Although it's not exactly organic, Dentinox Teething Gel has served mums and dads well. If you're seeking an organic option, skip over to the next product!

What we love:

• Suitable for babies from birth.
• Sugar-free gel for teething. 
• Pleasant tasting. 

Babyganics Teething Gel

Best for its plant-based ingredients

Why it's great: One is from the fact that they're being sold out so quickly! But the main reason is that it's effective and made from natural ingredients — coconut oil, clove oil and stevia — which provides soothing gum relief.

Mums and dads call them "lifesavers".

Some of them even use it to soothe their bad toothaches! Furthermore, it's free from synthetic flavours, dyes, alcohol, and especially Benzocaine, which can cause a rare but sometimes fatal condition called methemoglobinemia. 

One downside: it does wear off fairly quickly, but works great during times of need. 

What we love: 

• Teething gel for 6+ months.
• Ten pods of 0.3 ml each, individually packed and for single-use, great portability for bringing on the go.
• Provide soothing gum relief as a baby teething gel.
• Plant-based ingredients.
• Formulated with clove oil, organic coconut oil, and organic stevia. 
• Formulated without benzocaine, parabens, sulphates, synthetic flavours, or dyes.

Nelson's Teething Gel

Best for its soothing element 

Why it's great: A natural remedy that has a soothing element. Say goodbye to your baby's sore and tender gums, flushed cheeks and the dribbling that comes with teething.

Mums say it has calmed their little one down in less than a minute after application. Besides, it comes in little sachets!

A downside to it is that when you peel off the top, the product might come out right away. But otherwise, it's a highly recommended product, according to mums!

To take note: Contains Ethanol - like any other product, parents have advised using this in moderation. Besides, you don't need a lot of it to see the effects. 

What we love: 

• Suitable for babies aged 3 months and over (please do not give it to babies below 3 years old).
• Soothing element. 
• This gel for teething can take effect in just minutes. 

Soragel Antiseptic Gel

Best for rapid relieving

Why it's great: Soragel is like a superhero for all kinds of oral pain, from canker sores to toothaches to cold sores. Basically, Soragel is a one-stop shop for all your family's oral pain needs.

What sets Soragel apart from other oral pain relievers is its antiseptic properties. It relieves pain and helps prevent infection, which is especially important for little ones who may not have the best oral hygiene yet.

Additionally, Soragel is super easy to use. Its gel formula makes it easy to apply to even the hardest-to-reach areas, and it works fast to provide relief.

And since Soragel is safe for children ages 2 and up, you can rest easy knowing that you're using a gentle and effective product.

With good things, you don't need much — just a pea-sized amount is sufficient to be applied to your baby's gums.

Apart from rapidly relieving teething pain in infants, Soragel will also ease discomfort from mouth ulcers, cold sores, and denture irritation.

Super multi-purposeful! And extremely wallet-friendly as well.

What we love: 

• Suitable for infants over 4 months old.
• Rapidly relieving teething pain.

SansFluo Teething Gel

Best for safe to swallow

Why it's great: There's no fluoride, which stems from the "fluo". That means that it is safe to swallow, which happens a lot after the application of the gel.

Apart from providing temporary relief to sore gums due to teething in infants and children, it also relieves canker sores and minor irritations of the mouth!

What we love: 

• Suitable for infants and children (For infants under 4 months, please check with your doctor).
• Safe to swallow. 

Bonjela Teething Gel

Best for treating mouth ulcers

Why it's great: Ah, Bonjela Teething Gel, the holy grail of teething remedies! If your little one is going through the teething stage, this gum pain relief product is a game-changer.

Bonjela Teething Gel is like a soothing balm for their little gums, providing instant gum pain relief that comes with teething.

And let's be real, anything that can bring a smile to a teething baby's face is worth its weight in gold. And we have a Bonjela Teething Gel for that!

Bonjela Teething Gel is a fast-acting gel for teething and mouth ulcers. Aside from that, this gel is clinically shown to aid the healing and relieve the pain of mouth ulcers caused by braces and dentures. Plus, it is sugar-free.

But here's the best part: Bonjela Teething Gel is like a secret weapon that you can keep in your back pocket. Whenever your baby starts to show signs of teething, you can whip out that trusty tube of Bonjela Teething Gel and watch as the magic happens.

It's like having a superhero on speed dial. This gel for gum pain relief is always there when you need it, ready to save the day.

What we love: 

• Sugar-free.
• Best teething gel for healing and relieving the pain of mouth ulcers.

Jack n' Jill Teething Gel

Best for being vegan

Why it's great: Jack N' Jill Teething Gel temporarily relieves the symptoms of simple restlessness, irritability, and sore gums due to the emergence of teeth.

It has a soothing teething gel baby formula containing Chamomile & Calendula and a mild natural Vanilla flavour.

What we love: 

• Best teething gel suitable from 4 months above. 
• Natural ingredients.
• Safe if swallowed.
• No sugar, parabens, SLS, or added colours.
• Best teething gel baby vegan product
• Non-medicated and fragrance-free.
• Belladonna and Benzocaine free.
• PETA.

Baby teething gels and the risks of their usage

As much as the best teething gel baby products do help to solve your little one's gum pain relief, they are not really recommended by experts.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned parents against a harmful ingredient that's present in some of the best teething gel baby products — Benzocaine.

Benzocaine is an active ingredient in teething gels such as Baby Orajel and could cause "a rare but sometimes fatal condition called methemoglobinemia".

Apparently, Methemoglobinemia is a disorder which greatly reduces the amount of oxygen carried through the bloodstream.

If you're still positive about using the best teething gel baby products, the FDA recommends using these over-the-counter drugs only on children older than 2 years old.

Also, do check with the doctor before using the best teething gel. According to Dr. Natalie Epton, a specialist paediatrician and neonatologist at SBCC Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, an excessive amount of the best teething gel baby products could cause difficulties in your baby swallowing saliva (due to the weakening of their gag reflex).

"This may increase the risk of gagging or choking," she said. Tip: Always check the labelling of the gum pain relief product and read the instructions very carefully.

If it strikes you as misleading, always clarify with your physician or healthcare professional. Besides, there are safer alternatives out there that are natural so you don't put your little ones at such risks. They help to reduce pain and inflammation all the same.

Natural Teething Alternatives 

Here are some fabulous tips from mums aside from gels for gum pain relief! 

1. Try Barley water.

Barley has natural antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties and is super easy to make. First, soak 1 cup of barley overnight and then cook the barley with 2 1/3 cups of water for about 15 minutes. After which, drain the excess cooking water and save. Once it has cooled, you can rub some on inflamed gums. - R. Gosh

2. Amazing home remedies.

Try out some home remedies like chilled bananas, rubbing clove oil on the gums, and ice slush! - Shuo Yang

3. Pay attention to what they like.

Our little ones have preferences. They might prefer things like teething rings and teething toys. I give my son anything that he likes. Frozen fruits and Vegetables help.- Hsieh Ni

As much as chewing on chilled fruit or vegetables may help, do take note that teething biscuits (or rusks) should be avoided as they contain sugar. They should only be offered to kids that have started eating solids. Do also avoid teething rings with liquid inside and ensure that they are big enough so that your baby does not swallow them accidentally. If you pop them in the fridge, chill them but not in the freezer. You could try freezing the teething rings. My daughter enjoys it a lot. - Melissa Sunshine

4. Massages!

Another easy alternative is to massage your baby's gums, using a clean finger. There are even teething toothbrushes out there, which you can find in Kiddy Palace, to help alleviate the discomfort, according to Stephanie Goh, a mum.

5. Invest in some Silicone teething jewelry.

Designed for mums to wear, they are handy for any time your little ones need something to chew on to ease the discomfort in their gums. 

Other useful tips or things to note

• Never rub alcohol on your baby's gums.
• You should never place an aspirin against their tooth.
• Never tie a teething ring around a baby's neck or any other body part — it could get caught on something and strangle the baby.
• Dry their drool. This will help to prevent any skin irritation. Always keep a clean cloth around to dry your baby's chin. You could also consider applying a moisturiser such as a water-based cream or lotion.
• A cool tip for mums who are still breastfeeding: If you are still breastfeeding, try freezing your breast milk into a pacifier with its case. It's economical and nutritious! :) Otherwise, you may substitute milk for yoghurt or formula. - Jamie Koh

If not, turn it into a breastmilk popsicle and you're good to go! The cold will definitely help to relieve the pain.

Price Comparison Table

Note: Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication. However, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.

To further help your child in their teething stage, read: Best Teething Toys for Babies in Singapore to Soothe Their Sore Gums