As parents it’s hard seeing your little one struggle with teething troubles. Babies begin having their primary teeth erupt between 6-12 months of age, with teething signs appearing as early as 4 months of age. Not all babies will experience all the symptoms of teething, but most will experience at least one, including:
- Red, tender or swollen gums
- A low-grade temperature
- Drooling
- Desire to chew/bite everything!
- Crying, grouchiness, fussing
- Changes in sleeping or eating
It is not normal, and a doctor should be seen if your baby experiences a rash, vomiting or diarrhea, coughing or a temperature as these can be symptoms of illness.
To help your teething baby, there are several things you can do to reduce his or her discomfort.
Cold compress. Gum pain can be reduced with cold, whether in the form of a frozen teething ring, a wet wash cloth, or even a cold pacifier.
Pain relievers. Talk to your doctor or dentist in Bulleen about over-the-counter pain medication. Be sure to use no more than the recommended dosage and not for an extended period of time.
Gnawing. Allow your baby to have items to gnaw on such as clean toys or your fingers. The gnawing motion and pressure helps to relieve the pain as the teeth push through.
Cleanliness. Excess drool can cause chafing around your baby’s mouth, so keep the area clean and dry to limit further discomfort. Also, because they desire to chew on everything they can reach, be sure to have clean items for them to chew to reduce the spread of germs and disease such as thrush. See your dentist in Bulleen if you notice any problematic oral symptoms.
Baby Teeth Eruption
The bottom front two teeth are the first teeth to come in, in most cases, followed by the top two. After that, primary teeth fill in on either side, then molars and canines. Later, when your child begins to lose their baby teeth to adult ones, they will be lost in a similar order.
If you have a teething baby and need to schedule his or her first dental visit, Bulleen Plaza Dental is waiting for you. Don’t hesitate! Make your appointment today!