Teething occurs when an infant’s teeth start to grow in sequentially. For some babies, teething starts as early as three months and for others, as late as twelve months. It often takes several years for all the 20 deciduous (or ‘baby’) teeth to emerge. The infants teeth literally cut through their soft, fleshy gums, which is why this is often referred to as “cutting teeth”.
You’ll know your child is teething when she starts to get irritable, have a loss of appetite, starts chewing and gnawing on objects, or her gums become swollen or bruised. Other signs include excessive salivation, a raised temperature, and sometimes a child will get an earache and diaper rash. These teething symptoms usually start to show up about six months into your baby’s development.
As this process continues, you’ll soon notice that your baby loves to chew on almost anything she/he can get their hands on! This is therefore a time to be alert because a baby who is allowed to chew on objects small enough to be swallowed or anything that could break when chewed, is in danger of choking. Teething rings and other toys are a good solution to avoid this risk since they’re often designed with textures that massage a baby’s tender gums and satisfies their need to chew on something.
In situations where an infant is obviously in pain, there are doctors who recommend using an anti-inflammatory or child-safe pain-relief treatment that contains benzocaine, such as Baby Orajel. Some infants find relief by chewing on cold objects, such as a cool washcloth or a teething ring specially designed for being frozen.
In addition, you can also try to massage your baby’s gums with a clean finger. This may prove to be uncomfortable for your baby at first, but he/she will likely find it comforting after a few gentle rubs.
Some Pediatric dentists recommend brushing your baby’s teeth as soon as they start to come in and not to wait until they’re all coming in before introducing a regular oral hygiene routine. However, using toothpaste during this process is generally not recommended.
By: Glenn Cutforth
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