If you have a baby who is getting ready to teeth, those little tooth buds poking through the gums can cause a great deal of distress to both you and baby. Teething causes pain in your baby's mouth, which can prompt them to cry, drool, and lose sleep-not fun for baby, or for you.
Beginning anywhere from ages four to six months, this teething process will likely commence. The first teeth to appear are usually the two front bottom teeth, called the central incisors.
The four upper front teeth, also incisors, are normally the next in line to erupt. The remaining ones, including molars and eyeteeth, will break through over time, until your child is a little over two years old, and has twenty teeth all together.
Some children take a lot longer to begin this process, which is completely normal. If you are having concerns about the process, or if you are not sure when it is actually beginning, talk to your doctor or your dentist for advice.
There are symptoms that your dentist can help you to recognize, so that you know when you need to step in and help your baby transition through the pain. Expect your baby to experience some discomfort and side effects during teething.
While many people believe that a host of symptoms are associated with teething, the most widely recognized by doctors include irritability, difficult sleeping, increase saliva and drooling, and a desire to chew on just about everything they can get in their mouth. All of these are very good indications that your little one is starting to get little buds poking through the gums.
If you look inside their mouth, you may see redness and swelling, which is completely normal. You may see teeth beginning to poke through, or you may just see swelling-it takes time.
These symptoms may begin three to four days before a tooth pushes through and last two to three days after it makes its appearance. Your little one may experience a fever during this time-let your doctor know if this occurs, to ensure that there has not been any infection introduced in the mouth.
If your baby is showing discomfort and pain, you need to do what you can to ensure that they are as comfortable as possible during this time. Simply helping to distract them can do a great deal when it comes to their comfort.
Try holding and cuddling them, walking them up and down the hall, or even using your fingers to massage the gums for a few minutes at a time. The rubbing can help to soothe the pain and swelling temporarily.
You can wrap a piece of ice in a wet cloth and rub the spot, but be as gentle as possible. If the ice slips out of the cloth or your fingers, it can become a choking hazard to the baby, so be very careful at all times.
Sometimes buying them a teething ring that you can chill can allow them to chew on the device as much as needed. This can be quite comforting to them, and can keep them from crying-even a cool wet washcloth will do.
Do not use a soft device, as their new little enamel can puncture it and cause leakage. Only use firm, non-breakable chewing toys.
Help them to eat chilled foods such as applesauce or other pureed things, since they will not want to eat anything more solid than that due to the pain. Do not introduce any food to them that could become a choking hazard.
If your baby has excessive drooling, avoid dehydration by replacing lost fluids with diluted juice or water. You will also want to keep your baby's face and clothes dry to prevent rashes or irritation.
A bib may help protect clothing from wetness. Talk to your dentist or doctor about any other ideas they may be able to offer, when it comes to healing and comfort.
The best thing you can do during this time is be as patient as possible-you can expect a lot of crying and screaming, and lack of sleep. This time is temporary, and this will pass soon enough-help you little one to cope with painful teething, and they will be chewing food in no time.
Author Resource:-
Terry Daniels has been involved with dental research for 15 years and has been published in several scientific journals for his findings on orthodontic practices. He now resides in Utah and recommends this Lehi Dentist.
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