Teething and Tooth Care!
The little Chiclets that pokes out of your baby’s and toddler’s gums look so adorable! However, the process of exposing themselves can be quite a journey. Our little cherubs may display symptoms of a common cold or an ear infection, when in fact their teeth are fighting to burst forth. This process, so vital and necessary, may for some children be uncomfortable. Arming yourself with the knowledge of teething and solutions to alleviate the discomfort will make it a much easier process…for both of you.
Teething 411
The appearance of teeth usually begins between five and seven months old, although it varies
widely from as early as one month to as late as eighteen months old.
Typically, the bottom two front teeth emerge first, followed by the top four front teeth. Next, the two flanking teeth adjacent to the two bottom front, followed by the back molars, and finally the eye teeth (the pointy teeth in the upper jaw).
Your child will have twenty teeth by the time they are three years old.
Is your baby teething?
“Teething” actually begins before the teeth emerge, sometimes making it difficult to know if the process has begun or not. Here are some clues that it may be starting:
• Child pulls at jaw or ears.
• Increased fussiness for no obvious reason.
• Excessive drooling and chewing on things.
• Wakening at night with fussiness and crying.
• Gums appear red, tender, or sore.
• May refuse solids or bottles due to increased pressure on gums.
• Possibly a low-grade fever. If baby has a high fever, this is NOT due to teething and medical attention is required.
Ways to relieve teething pain!
• Cold teething rings.
• Slightly thawed frozen bagels or teething biscuits, such as Zwieback.
• Natural teething gel, or Hyland’s Homeopathic teething tablets. (Hint: dissolve the
tablets in a teaspoon of water and use a medicine dropper to give to babies.)
• Limited amounts of infant acetaminophen or ibuprofen (may help baby sleep better).
• Gently massage swollen gums with a clean finger or gauze.
• Sugar-free or all-natural juice freezies or popsicles (ages 1 and up).
• Cold, wet washcloths fresh from the freezer or fridge.
NEXT POST – Brushing those Pearls!
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