Teething: Tips to Help Ease Discomfort
It’s always exciting to see your little bundle of joy growing and developing the way we expect them to. One of the exciting steps in your child’s life includes developing their first baby teeth. Unfortunately, teething comes with a lot of irritability, drooling, difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite, and more biting. So, we’ve come up with a few ways you can ease your child’s discomfort and allow yourself the much-needed rest.
What is teething?
Teething is the process that your child goes through when they begin to develop teeth. At first, symptoms may be hard to notice because there are no physical signs that your child is teething. Your baby starts with all of their teeth under their gums. Teething begins when the teeth are pushed through the gums. This process usually happens between 6 and 12 months.
Teething Symptoms
What is normal:
- Irritability
- Trouble sleeping
- Fussiness
- Loss of appetite
- More biting
- More drooling
- Chewing on objects
- Sore or tender gums
What is not normal:
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Rash
How to Soothe Sore Gums
There are a few well-known tips and tricks that parents use to help soothe their babies while they are in the process of growing their teeth.
- Rub your baby’s gums: You can use a clean finger, cold spoon, or wet gauze to help rub their tender gums. The pressure can soothe their discomfort.
- Cool rings: Use a cold, not frozen, teething ring for your baby to bite. The chilled ring can be soothing on a baby’s gums. Make sure to look for solid rings that will not easily break.
- Try over-the-counter medicine: If your baby is extremely irritable, you can give them infants’ or children’s over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others).
- Teething eggs: These eggs are designed to fit into your child’s hand and mouth comfortably with a texture that will help teeth come through the gums.
Your Child’s First Dental Visit
When you see that your child is starting to develop their teeth, you should schedule them for their first dental visit. Our pediatric dentists in Powdersville, SC and Boiling Springs, SC can teach you how to maintain a healthy dental care routine for your child. We designed your first dental visit to educate you – the parent – on proper oral hygiene care for your child. Also, we’ll discuss habits, diet, dental health, and what to anticipate with your child’s dental development.
Dr. Kanas in Boiling Springs, SC
Call us: 864-606-0006
Email us: boilingsprings@igrin2.smcnational.com
Dr. Richards in Powdersville, SC
Call us: 864-220-5437
Email us: powdersville@igrin2.smcnational.com