Unless you do not identify the exact cause, you cannot provide appropriate care during their developmental stage.
Sometimes it’s teething that makes your baby feel irritated and cranky! So, as a new mother, you must wonder what can help soothe your baby.
What is Teething?
Teething is when the baby teeth first erupt through the gums. Even though it sounds cute, it can be a difficult period for babies and their parents. Knowing what to expect during teething and how to alleviate some of the discomforts can be helpful.
Since tooth eruption is a natural process in babies. As a parent, you must know this is a crucial developmental milestone for babies between 6 and 12 months. However, the phase when baby teeth first appears can be difficult for you and your baby.
That’s why it’s crucial to understand the symptoms of teething. A clear idea will help you know how to provide comfort and relief for your little one.
In this article, we will discuss some tips on how to help your little one through this developmental stage.
Before delving into the topic, do you know that your kid’s health depends on you?
Pregnancy and your baby's oral health
As a mother, your oral health in pregnancy can impact the tooth eruption of your baby! In a nutshell, untreated cavities in a mother’s mouth can increase the likelihood of her baby developing tooth caries in their baby teeth.
Tooth decay is an infectious, contagious disease caused partly by accumulating cariogenic (cavity-causing) microorganisms in the mouth. These bacteria can be transmitted through secretions from permanent to baby teeth (mother to the newborn).
Mutans streptococci (MS) are one of the most well-known bacteria that play a significant role in tooth decay by converting sucrose to lactic acid. This process creates an acidic environment in the mouth, which makes the highly mineralized tooth enamel susceptible to decay.
Therefore, a higher MS level inside a person’s mouth indicates that person’s caries risk: a higher MS level indicates a greater risk of developing cavities.
MS can develop in a baby’s teeth immediately after birth, even before the baby has teeth. The greater the levels of MS in a mother’s mouth, the more likely she will transmit the bacteria to her offspring, causing MS to accumulate in the infant’s mouth.
Anatomy of Tooth Eruption
Tooth eruption typically begins between 6 and 12 months but can start as early as three months or as late as 14 months.
The first emerging teeth, or the primary teeth, are usually the two front bottom teeth, followed by the two front upper teeth.
After that, the remaining teeth will gradually appear, usually in pairs. It happens until your baby has a complete set of 20 primary teeth by age three.
Symptoms of Tooth Eruption
The symptoms of teething can vary from baby to baby, but some common signs to look out for include the following:
- Drooling
Teething stimulates saliva production, causing babies to drool excessively. As a result, you can observe skin irritation around the mouth, chin, and neck.
- Irritability and Fussiness
Teething can cause discomfort, pain, and inflammation in the gums, making babies irritable and fussy. They may also become more clingy and have difficulty sleeping.
- Swollen and Tender Gums
As teeth push through the gums, they can cause swelling and tenderness. Babies may develop red, inflamed gums and be more sensitive to the touch.
- Biting and Chewing on Objects
Babies may instinctively bite and chew on objects to relieve some of the discomfort caused by teething. They may also rub their face and ears.
- Sleeping Difficulties
Discomfort and pain caused by teething can make it difficult for babies to sleep. They might wake up more frequently during the night or have difficulty falling asleep.
- Loss of Appetite Teething can cause discomfort and pain in the mouth, making babies uncomfortable eating or drinking. They may refuse to eat or drink or prefer softer foods.
- Low-Grade Fever Teething can cause a slight increase in body temperature, but it is usually less than 100.4°F (38°C). If your baby has a high fever, contact your pediatrician immediately.
Note that not all symptoms are directly related to teething. If you have concerns about your baby’s health, it is always best to contact your pediatrician.
You must remember that the eruption of baby teeth can be uncomfortable for babies, but this temporary phase will eventually pass. With proper care and support, you can help your baby through this milestone in its development.
How to Ease Out the Tooth Eruption Process
While teething can be challenging, you can do the following things to help ease their discomfort and make the process easier.
- Massage the Gums
Massaging your baby’s gums with a clean finger or a cool, damp washcloth can help relieve some of the discomfort caused by teething.
- Give Them Something to Chew On
Chewing on an incredible, soft teething ring or a clean, damp washcloth can help soothe your baby’s sore gums. Avoid complex objects that can damage the primary teeth or even the gums.
- Provide Pain Relief
Over-the-counter pain relievers such as infant acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help relieve teething pain. However, always follow the recommended dosage and consult your pediatrician before giving any medication.
- Use Cold Compresses
A cool, damp washcloth or a chilled teething ring can help reduce inflammation and numb the gums.
- Stay Calm and Patient
Teething can be frustrating and exhausting for you and your baby. Be patient and offer your little one plenty of love and comfort.
- Loss of Appetite Teething can cause discomfort and pain in the mouth, making babies uncomfortable eating or drinking. They may refuse to eat or drink or prefer softer foods.
- Low-Grade Fever Teething can cause a slight increase in body temperature, but it is usually less than 100.4°F (38°C). If your baby has a high fever, contact your pediatrician immediately.
Note that not all symptoms are directly related to teething. If you have concerns about your baby’s health, it is always best to contact your pediatrician.
You must remember that the eruption of baby teeth can be uncomfortable for babies, but this temporary phase will eventually pass. With proper care and support, you can help your baby through this milestone in its development.
When to Call the Doctor?
While teething is a normal part of a baby’s development, you must know when to call your pediatrician.
Here are some situations when you must contact your doctor:
- High Fever
While a slight increase in body temperature is expected when the first teeth appear, a high fever is not. If your baby’s temperature is above 100.4°F (38°C), it could indicate an infection. Consider contacting your doctor.
- Diarrhea or Vomiting
Teething should not cause diarrhea or vomiting. If your baby has these symptoms, it could be a sign of an infection or other medical condition.
- Rash or Blisters
If your baby develops a rash or blisters around their mouth or body, it could indicate an allergic reaction or infection. Call the doctor immediately!
- Refusal to Eat or Drink
Before the baby’s teeth appear, your baby might experience a decreased appetite during teething. Still, if your little champ refuses to eat or drink for an extended period, it could be a sign of a medical issue. Again, best to call your doctor.
- Excessive Crying or Irritability
While some fussiness is typical during teething, if your baby is excessively crying or irritable, it could be a sign of an infection or other medical condition. Always notice how the baby reacts.
Trusting your instincts as a parent and seeking medical attention if you have any concerns about your baby’s health is essential. Your pediatrician can provide guidance and treatment.
How to take care of your baby's Primary teeth?
Some parents believe caring for primary teeth is less essential than caring for permanent (adult) teeth because primary (baby) teeth eventually fall out. Primary teeth are essential for your kid, enabling them to effectively chew food and speak. So, you must take care of your baby’s teeth from the beginning.
You can begin flossing your baby’s teeth when the first tooth erupts. Use an infant toothbrush and a small amount of fluoride toothpaste. Don’t be concerned if you can’t brush much at first. The most essential thing is to incorporate tooth brushing into your baby’s daily regimen. You can assist by demonstrating proper oral hygiene by cleansing your teeth in front of them.
Use a very small quantity of toothpaste for infants and toddlers up to three and a pea-sized amount for children aged three to six. Gradually brush your child’s teeth more thoroughly, covering all tooth surfaces. Perform it at least twice a day. The simplest method to clean a baby’s teeth is to have the infant recline on your knee with their head reclining on your bosom. When interacting with an elder child, one should stand behind them and turn their head backward.
Encourage your child to rinse the toothpaste in small, circular motions that cover all surfaces after brushing the teeth. There is no need to cleanse with water because doing so would remove the fluoride. Verify that your child uses the appropriate amount of toothpaste without consuming or slurping the tube. Keep assisting your kid while they brush their teeth until they can do so independently.
Final Word
Tooth eruption is a natural process all babies go through. But it can be challenging for you and your little one.
Baby teeth usually takes about eight days – four days before and three days after the first tooth comes out. Knowing what to expect and how to ease your baby’s discomfort helps make the teething process easier for everyone involved.
Don’t hesitate to contact your pediatrician with concerns about your baby’s teething process.
Do you still have any questions or concerns? Ask us in the comments. We will be happy to help!
