When young babies start teething, it's not uncommon to find a placid, sunny infant transformed into an unhappy, irritable child who seems 'out of sorts'. The child's cheeks may appear red and he or she may dribble or drool more than usual. They may even go off their food for a while. In teenagers and young adults, mouth pain and discomfort can be associated with wisdom teeth erupting. Again, oral analgesics can be helpful €“ but remember that aspirin is not suitable for children under the age of 16.

OTC gels can also be recommended to help relieve the discomfort of teething. These products usually contain a local anaesthetic such as lidocaine to help numb the area and relieve the pain (e.g. Anbesol Teething Gel, Bonjela Teething Gel, Calgel Teething Gel and Dentinox Teething Gel). Occasionally, discomfort associated with illnesses such as an ear or sinus infection may be felt as dental pain. In these cases, the pain may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as headache or fever.