My 8 Month Old Wakes Every 2 Hours! Help!

My 8 Month Old was a great sleeper. I didn't have to rock him much before bed and he would sleep 8 - 10 hours at night. For the past 2 weeks, he is waking every 2 hours wanting me to hold him. He sleeps in our room in his crib. I pick him up, rock him for 5 minutes, and put him back in his crib. He goes back to sleep and we start the cycle again 2 hours later. He is teething - could this be the cause? He is also very clingy during the day. I don't believe in the crying it out method. Is there something else I can do? I am exhausted! Thank you in advance!