Teething: 8 Tips Parents Need to Know
Teething is a natural but painful process, by which baby teeth erupt or break through the gums. Teething generally occurs in between 6 to 24 months of age. With the exception of wisdom teeth, eruption of permanent teeth rarely causes the discomfort associated with teething. By that time, children become adapted with the process of teeth eruption. Wisdom tooth doesn’t get enough space to come in, that’s why they teethe.
Why do babies teethe?
Babies are born with full set of teeth below their gums. These teeth break through the gums in stages. Teething is a natural inflammatory process. It’s like a delivering a tooth (tooth-birth). This is the first ever experiences for the babies as they are not adapted with the teething process. The large teeth (molars) usually cause more discomfort because of their larger surface area that can’t easily slice through the gums.
Teething symptoms (normal)
Teething symptoms appear few days before the eruption of the tooth and subside after the eruption. In some babies, discomfort may persist little longer especially in case of back teeth (molars). Molars are more likely to be associated with teething discomfort.
- Red, swollen and sore gums
- Refusal of food due to soreness in the gums.
- Mild irritability and lack of appetite.
- Intermittent fussiness.
- Chewing on solid objects or taking fingers to mouth in order to get relief from pain/irritation
- Crying and sleepless nights
- Mild rash around the mouth due to skin irritation from excessive drooling
- Rubbing ear or cheek as a consequence of referred pain
- Rarely, a fluid or blood-filled blister may be seen on the top of the erupting tooth as gums get dissolved with blood leakage. It’s a self-limiting and not a serious condition. It becomes normal with the eruption of the tooth.
Symptoms not of teething (abnormal)
Teething does not cause following symptoms. Viral infections or Gastric problems commonly occur at the same time of teething. However, there is no relation with the teething.
- Fever
- Rashes all over face and body
- Diarrhea
- Running nose, nasal congestion and cough
- Prolonged fussiness
- Vomiting
Prevention of teething
Gum and jaw massage
Generally, teething problems rarely occur in those babies who get regular gum and jaw massage. Massaging the gums can help to improve circulation and reduce inflammation. The properly grown jaws provide sufficient room to accommodate all the teeth, that can help prevent dental diseases. It also helps in timely eruption of teeth.
Solid and fiber foods
Experts recommend that babies should start eating solids around 4-6 months of age. Slowly but steadily start giving solids to your baby. Start with soft items that can be mashed between your fingers. Avoid hard and large pieces to prevent choking hazard. Minimally processed diet not only massages gums but ease in digestion. It can help keep mouth and gut clean and disease-free. It also helps in building beneficial flora in your mouth and gut.
Treatment of Teething
If baby shows teething symptoms, take following treatment measures. If baby have abnormal symptoms, such as fever, vomiting or diarrhea, contact your pediatrician. Do not consider them as a part of teething problems. Teething is a natural process and usually doesn’t need any treatment.
Home remedy
Rub your baby’s gums
Use a clean finger, or damp washcloth to gently massage your baby’s gums for a few minutes.
Apply a cool washcloth
A cool washcloth can provide quick relief from teething pain. Do not freeze the washcloth or give your child ice as this can cause a choking hazard. Even, avoid prolonged contact of any cold object with the gums.
Breast milk
There is some evidence that breast milk might alleviate teething pain.
Use soft food
Give your baby cold, soft foods such as mashed potato, yogurt, and cottage cheese. Start solid squished foods like cold fruits and vegetables. Stay with your child at all times to monitor their chewing to prevent chocking. Avoid giving your infant teething biscuits or frozen hard foods, such as nuts, carrots, which can injure your infant’s gums and present a choking hazard.
Teething rings or toys
Cool teething rings or toys can ease the discomfort. Never freeze the ring as it can break and choke your child. Make sure to avoid teething neckless, bracelets and anklets, which pose a choking hazard and can cause injury.
Use bib
Constant drooling can irritate their skin around the mouth. Use bib to keep your baby’s skin as dry as possible.
Use a soft bristled infant toothbrush or a clean washcloth
Soft bristled infant toothbrushes or a wet, washcloth can be used to massage your child’s gums during teething process. Once their tooth has erupted, you can use a rice-grain sized amount of fluoride toothpaste to clean their teeth twice a day.
Medications
- Use over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen should be used only when home remedies do not help or your doctor advised to do so. Care should be taken not to overmedicate baby because medicine may mask significant symptoms.
- Avoid use of topical medications such as benzocaine or choline salicylate. It is main ingredient of many OTC teething spray, lozenges and gels. The U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned about its association with methemoglobinemia (reduced ability of blood cells to transport oxygen throughout the body), a rare but serious complication. Individual become pale, lightheaded, confused, shortness of breath with rapid heart rate. Person with such symptoms after exposure to benzocaine should seek immediate medical attention. In-time treatment can reverse these symptoms.
- Avoid use of aspirin in babies and children.
- Avoid use of alcohol to numb the gums.
- As Ayurvedic medications are not extensively researched, these medications should not be tried unless advised by your doctor.
Conclusion
Teething is a natural process of infant’s growth and development. Symptoms of teething will eventually pass with the eruption of tooth. Prolonged discomfort should be addressed with your dentist or pediatrician. Remember, our jaws are meant to chew. Chewing provides stimulation and exercise for the jaws and gums, which can help to keep them strong and prevent problems. Inculcating good habits early in life is important for maintaining oral health.
