A Parent’s Guide to Teething

As a parent, there are few things more daunting than teething. Your child is in pain, and there’s not much you can do to make it better. Teething is a process that all children go through, but it can be difficult to know what to do to make it as easy as possible for your little one. In this blog post, we will provide you with information about teething that will help you ease your child’s symptoms and make the experience a bit less painful. We’ll also discuss when you should take your child to the dentist for teething-related issues.

When Do Babies Start Teething?

While teething can begin as early as 3 months, most likely you’ll see the first tooth start pushing through your baby’s gum line when your little one is between 4 and 7 months old.

In some rare cases, kids are born with one or two teeth or have a tooth emerge within the first few weeks of life. Unless the teeth interfere with feeding or are loose enough to pose a choking risk, this is usually not a cause for concern.

Which Teeth Come First?

Nemours explains that the first teeth to appear usually are the two bottom front teeth, also known as the central incisors. They’re usually followed 4 to 8 weeks later by the four front upper teeth (central and lateral incisors). About a month later, the lower lateral incisors (the two teeth flanking the bottom front teeth) will appear.

Next to break through are the first molars (the back teeth used for grinding food), then finally the eyeteeth (the pointy teeth in the upper jaw). Most kids have all 20 of their primary teeth by their third birthday.

Signs of Teething

The first sign that your baby is teething is often when you see a tooth poking through the gum. However, this isn’t always the case. Some babies start drooling more than usual weeks or even months before a tooth appears. You might also notice that your child is chewing on everything in sight as their gums feel sore. Your baby might be fussier than usual and have trouble sleeping.

How to Help a Teething Baby

If your baby is teething, there are a few things you can do to help ease the discomfort:

• Rubbing your baby’s gums with a clean finger, gauze pad or wet washcloth
• Giving your baby a teething ring or other toy to chew on
• Applying a topical teething gel to your baby’s gums (be sure to read the label carefully and only use a small amount)
• If you’re breastfeeding, letting your baby nurse more often
• Giving your baby cold foods or drinks to suck on (tip: try an online recipe for freezer pops that they can suck on)

Teething Treatments to Avoid

For the safety of your baby, you should avoid using:

• Over-the-counter remedies, including homeopathic teething tablets. The benefits of topical gels and teething tablets haven’t been demonstrated. In recent years, lab analysis of some homeopathic remedies found greater amounts than labeled of the ingredient belladonna, which can cause seizures and difficulty breathing.
• Teething medications containing benzocaine or lidocaine. These pain relievers can be harmful — even fatal — to your baby.
• Teething necklaces, bracelets or anklets. These items pose a risk of choking, strangulation, mouth injury and infection.

When to See the Dentist

If your child is having trouble sleeping, is in a lot of pain or has a fever over 102°F, call your dentist. These could be signs of an infection and will require treatment.

Your child should see the dentist for their first appointment when their first tooth comes in or by their first birthday, whichever comes first. This appointment will be mostly for getting to know your dentist and your child, and to establish a dental home. Your dentist will also discuss with you how to care for your child’s teeth and gums, and will answer any questions you have about teething or oral care.

Teething can be a difficult time for both parents and children, but it’s important to remember that it’s only temporary. With some extra cuddles and a little bit of patience, your child will be through the teething phase before you know it!

Make an Appointment with Li’l Sunshine Smiles

If you have any concerns about your child’s teething, or if it’s time for their first dental appointment, call Li’l Sunshine Smiles today! Conveniently located in Tampa, we’re here to help your family with all of your dental needs. Contact us today for an appointment!