Teething

Teething happens when your baby's teeth start to come out of the gum line.

When do babies start teething?

Most babies start teething between 4 and 7 months of age, but some start much later. Don't worry if your child's teething schedule is different - it can be different for every child.

Signs and symptoms of teething

Symptoms are not the same for all children, but they may include:

Swollen, tender gums
Fussiness and crying
A slightly raised temperature
Gnawing or wanting to chew on hard things
Lots of drool, which can cause a rash on their face
Coughing
Rubbing their cheek or pulling their ear
Bringing their hands to their mouth
Changes in eating or sleeping patterns

Teething can be painful, but babies don't usually get sick. Call your doctor if your child has diarrhea, vomiting, body rash, fever or cough, and nasal congestion. These are not normal signs of teething.

You should also call the pediatrician if your child's gums are bleeding or if you see pus or swelling on his face.

Order of tooth eruption

When and how teeth appear each child may be different and this may be based on family history. But in most cases, the two lower front teeth appear first, followed by the two opposing upper teeth and the two on their sides. Then the two on the sides of the lower front teeth appear, then the first molars appear. The teeth in front of the first molars appear next, and the back molars appear last.

In general, 20 "baby teeth" eventually grow in, usually by 3 years of age.

Soothe a teething baby

What works for your friend's child may not work for yours. You may need to try different things to help your baby feel better:

Something cold in your baby's mouth, such as a cold nipple, spoon, clean damp washcloth, hard refrigerated toy or teether. Some experts say frozen teethers are too cold and can damage a baby's mouth. Be sure to clean teethers, washcloths, and other items after your child has used them.
Try offering a hard, unsweetened teething cracker.
If your baby is 6 to 9 months old, you can also offer fresh water in a cup.
Massage the gums by gently rubbing them with a clean finger. If the teeth have not yet come out, you can let the child chew on his finger. If you're breastfeeding, try soaking your fingers in cool water and massaging your gums before each feed. This can prevent them from biting your nipple while breastfeeding.

Treatments to avoid

Never put anything in your baby's mouth that is not specifically approved for teething relief. Even some products described as teething aids are not a safe choice, including:

Filled with liquid that can break and spill
Made of fragile material such as plastic which can eventually cause choking
That are frozen

Another reason to pay attention to the material from which teething aids are made is that some of them can be made from harmful substances such as lead. Look for rubber.

Teething necklaces

Child health experts do not recommend wearing necklaces when teething. They are dangerous: they can suffocate the baby. They can also suffocate if the necklace breaks and swallows the beads.

If you choose to use one of these, make sure:

Put it on your wrist or ankle, not around your child's neck.
Always supervise your baby when you wear it.
Take it off when you are not watching your baby, even for a very short time.

You may have heard that amber teething necklaces release painkillers when heated. It hasn't been proven and doctors say it's a bad idea to use it.

Dental medicine

Medicines you rub on your baby's gums to stop the pain of teething may not help. It is quickly washed out in the mouth and can numb the back of the throat and make swallowing difficult.

Stay away from over-the-counter teething gels and liquids containing benzocaine. Experts say that this ingredient should not be given to children under 2 years old. It may cause rare but serious side effects.

A small dose of a child's pain reliever, such as acetaminophen, may help your child. Do not use ibuprofen on infants under 6 months of age and check with your doctor before giving your child any medicine. Use it exactly as the doctor says.

Teething can be difficult for you and your baby at first. But it will get easier as you both learn how to soothe each new tooth that falls out.

How to care for new milk teeth

Good oral hygiene is important even before your baby teething:

Until the teeth begin to grow, clean the child's gums with a damp washcloth or piece of gauze at least once a day.
After teething, clean your baby's mouth in the same way at least twice a day. After feeding is the best time for this.
After his first birthday, you can start using a baby toothbrush with soft bristles, water, and a little fluoride-free toothpaste. You can also start flossing between his teeth.

The pediatrician will monitor your child's teeth for cavities and decide if a referral to the dentist is needed before age 1. For most children, a pediatrician can continue to examine their teeth until they are 3 years old.