Once the baby turns four months old, parents often start referring to the baby teething guide. Watching the little one attempting to chew on something can be exciting and worrying at the same time.
What to Expect When the Baby is Teething?
Babies may start teething anytime between four to eight months of age. By the time the baby turns three-year-old, all of the 20 primary teeth appear through the gums. The teething symptoms may start showing up after the child turns four months of age.
As soon as the first tooth starts emerging, the area surrounding the tooth, including the gums, may become swollen. The little fellow would also begin drooling (dropping saliva) more than usual. The drool needs to be wiped off as soon as possible to avoid infections. You may even notice a few rashes on the baby’s chin and face caused due to saliva.
Depending on the degree of pain, some babies may continuously cry for hours to express their grief. The irritability and discomfort may keep on bothering the child for several weeks. It further results in sleep-related problems. The baby might wake up at night and start crying.
In some cases, the little fellow may show signs of low-grade fever, referred to as baby teething fever, during the initial stages of teeth eruption. Parents should get in touch with the pediatrician if the child’s body temperature crosses 101° F. The above symptoms and discomfort would continue even after the first tooth begins to erupt.
Teething babies also show a loss of appetite and may prefer to give a miss to a couple of feedings. The symptom can be ignored and considered normal until the baby becomes too reluctant to eat. During this phase, kids also start chewing various things to relieve the pressure.
Central incisors start appearing first in most children. You may notice a kind of eruption cyst on the gums. These are harmless and need to be left alone.
Dentists recommend parents use a little bit of water and a soft-bristled toothbrush or a piece of cotton cloth to clean the small teeth. Toothpaste should only be used after the kid turns two years old. Most importantly, timely dental check-ups should not be skipped as soon as teeth start appearing.
No matter if it is a 6-month baby teething case or 1-year-old teething, the indications observed are similar to newborn baby teething symptoms.
Soothe Baby Teething Pain With These Simple Remedies
There are several over-the-counter liquids and gels to treat the pain. But, it is advisable to buy the same only according to the dentist’s recommendation as some of them contain ingredients deemed unfit for children below the age of two by the FDA.
A dental care expert or a pediatrician can recommend ibuprofen or acetaminophen doses after a proper oral checkup. However, simple remedies should be looked at as the first option.
A cold (not frozen) teething toy, a cold pacifier, or even a slightly cold spoon can help in easing the pain. Cleaning the baby’s gum area with a wet piece of clean cotton cloth can help. If the child is more than nine months old, parents can also offer a few sips of cold water.
Gently massaging the baby’s gums with a clean finger can be a good idea. Besides, she might even enjoy gnawing the finger. Pediatricians often recommend parents dip their fingers in cold water and massage the baby’s gums before feeding.
What’s the best thing for baby teething pain management? Well, every baby’s needs and the reason behind uneasiness might be different. So, the caretakers need to try different things and see what makes the little one feel good.
Remember, emerging teeth usually do not trigger any sickness in babies. Thus, if the child starts showing symptoms of severe cough, high fever, or vomiting, it may not be related to the teeth at all.
The Baby Needs a Little Bit of Extra Attention
While passing through teeth eruption stages, babies love chewing things. So, it is advisable to allow them to do so. Teething rings and toys can prove to be the best thing for them to practice their chewing skills. Practicing can help them chew and consume harder food items at a later stage.
Parents prefer offering cold applesauce, yogurt, frozen cheese stick, slices of cucumber, carrot, watermelon, or waffles to relieve pain or swelling. But remember, babies below the age of six months should not be offered real food to chew during the teeth eruption period. Even chilled vegetables and cold water can prove to be a choking hazard if the child is left unattended.
Keeping an eye on the baby while it attempts chewing is essential to ensure the little one does not eat the wrong object resulting in a choking hazard.
As the gums and small teeth start facing additional stress in the form of chewing practice, maintaining oral health becomes even more critical. Bacteria can quickly build up in a little mouth. Thus, it is advisable to wipe the baby’s teeth with a clean cloth before every feeding session to keep the gums clean.
Are Teething Necklaces and Bracelets Safe?
The teething necklaces made from silicone, marble, wood, and amber are hot favorites. Such products are available in the market for several decades and claim to offer sensory stimulation along with pain relief. Experts seem to be negative when it comes to recommending necklaces. In December 2018, even the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) issued guidelines urging the parents not to use the same.
During the first few months of the teeth eruption period, parents need to practice patience and give a lot of attention to the little family member. Some charts highlight the likely timeframe for teeth eruption. But they may not prove to be accurate as the timing may differ from one kid to the other.
Are you searching for a dental office in Roswell, GA, that has dentists with considerable experience in offering pediatric dental care? If so, you should fix an appointment with TruCare Dentistry.