Teething can be painful and annoying for kids. Teeth pain tablets and teething bibs can help make the process easier for you and your baby.

Teething: Do's And Don'ts

Introduction

<p>Do you remember the infamous &ldquo;Charlie bit me&rdquo; video? The baby was just a year old when the video was recorded and uploaded onto YouTube. The thought of a baby biting his brother&rsquo;s finger may seem quite hilarious until you set out to try the same with your own little one. They&rsquo;ll just hold your finger in a tight grip and clamp down their jaws while you hang in there for dear life.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Well, that&rsquo;s parenthood! Those pearly whites on your baby&rsquo;s gums make you go &ldquo;Aww!&rdquo; whenever they grin or smile. But, you&rsquo;re probably afraid to brush them or breastfeed them. Then, again, it&rsquo;s not just difficult for you; it&rsquo;s difficult for your infant, too.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Teething is a typical process that some babies experience as their teeth break out or emerge through their gums. The American Dental Association states that infants begin teething when they are between 6 and 12 months of age.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A baby has a primary or main set of 20 teeth by the time they turn 3<sup><a href="#accordion">[1]</a></sup>. When your child has teeth, he or she will be able to consume a variety of foods, but they&rsquo;ll equally be trying to eat random stuff as well. How do you let them explore on their own? How do you manage all your work while paying extra attention to the kid? Let&rsquo;s read on!&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>

Understanding How To Deal With Teething

<p>So, the first thing you want to know is the time period when teeth begin to emerge. Baby teeth (also known as primary teeth, milk teeth, or temporary teeth) often appear when a newborn is 6 months old. By the age of 3, most babies will have all 20 temporary teeth<sup><a href="#accordion">[2]</a></sup>. Adult (permanent) teeth appear around the age of 6. By the age of 13, children usually have most of their adult teeth.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p>The following is a rough guide to how babies&#39; teeth typically emerge:</p>

<ul>
	<li>Bottom incisors (bottom front teeth) &ndash; 5-7 months (usually the first to appear)&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Top incisors (top front teeth) &ndash; 6-8 months</li>
	<li>Lateral incisors on the top (on either side of the top front teeth) &ndash; 9-11 months</li>
	<li>Lateral incisors on the bottom (on either side of the bottom front teeth) &ndash; 10-12 months</li>
	<li>First molars (back teeth) &ndash;12-16 months</li>
	<li>Canines (in the middle of the lateral incisors and the first molars) &ndash; 16-20 months</li>
	<li>Second molars &ndash; 20-30 months</li>
</ul>

<p>The majority of children have all of their milk teeth by the age of 2 or 3 years.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<h5><strong>Is It Necessary To Clean Milk Teeth?</strong></h5>

<p>Cleaning your baby&#39;s mouth even before a single tooth appears is the first step in caring for their teeth. Make it a habit to wipe their gums after each food with a wet piece of soft gauze wrapped around your finger. You can also buy soft thimble-shaped devices to eliminate food particles.</p>

<p>Once the baby&rsquo;s teeth begin to appear, they require continual attention to avoid cavities, which can lead to gum infections and affect the normal spacing of adult teeth.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p>The signs and symptoms of teething may vary from one baby to the next, but generally they include:</p>

<ul>
	<li>Swollen and painful gums</li>
	<li>Fussiness and crying a lot</li>
	<li>A mild temperature (less than 101&deg; F)</li>
	<li>A need to chew or gnaw on hard things</li>
	<li>Excessive drooling that may cause a rash on their face</li>
	<li>Cough</li>
	<li>A need to rub their cheek or scratch their ear</li>
	<li>A need to keep their hands in their mouth</li>
	<li>Variations in eating or sleeping habits</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>NOTE: </strong>Although teething might be uncomfortable, it rarely makes newborns ill. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, your baby&#39;s passive immunity from maternal antibodies decreases during this time, and they are vulnerable to a variety of diseases, including viruses and bacteria. So, if your infant is experiencing diarrhea, vomiting, body rashes, a higher temperature, coughing, or congestion, call your doctor right away. These teething symptoms are not appropriate. You should also consult the pediatrician if your baby&#39;s face is swollen, their gums are bleeding, or you notice any pus.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p>When your baby&#39;s teeth start to appear, it&rsquo;s time you start going to a dentist as well. As soon as your baby&#39;s first milk tooth appears, start using a kids&#39; toothpaste to brush it.</p>

<p>Keep an eye out for indicators to know when something is wrong and when you should consult a pediatrician immediately.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, here are certain procedures that you can follow to make your child more comfortable throughout the teething process. Since every baby is unique, you might need to try a few different methods until you find the one that works for your child.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h5><strong>1. Teething Rings</strong></h5>

<p>Teething rings provide a safe chewing surface for your baby. This may lessen their discomfort and divert their attention away from any pain. Some teething rings can be cooled in the refrigerator before use to help reduce your baby&#39;s gum irritation.</p>

<p>The instructions that usually come with the ring should inform you how long you need to chill it before use. The rule of the thumb is to never place a teething ring in the freezer because chewing on a frozen ring could hurt your baby&#39;s gums. Another thing is to AVOID tying it round your baby&#39;s neck as it might become a choking hazard.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h5><strong>2. If Your Infant Is Chewing</strong></h5>

<p>Your infant chewing on their fingers, toys, or other items they can get their hands on is one of the major symptoms of teething in babies. If they are 6 months old or older, you can give your infant nutritious items to chew on, such as raw fruit and veggies. Melon and other soft fruits might help to soothe gums.</p>

<p>You might also try giving your infant a bread crust or a breadstick. Always keep an eye on your infant while they are eating to prevent choking. You should avoid giving them rusks because almost all brands include some sugar and sugary foods need to be avoided at this stage since they can cause tooth decay, even if your child just has a few teeth.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h5><strong>3. Teething Gels</strong></h5>

<p>There is little proof that teething gels work. It is recommended that parents initially consider non-medical teething alternatives, like a teething ring. However, if you do opt for a gel, make sure it&#39;s a teething gel formulated specifically for small children.</p>

<p>Your baby should not be taking any over-the-counter pain relievers. Teething gels are only available from pharmacies as they contain a moderate local anesthetic. Therefore, it&rsquo;s better to talk to a pharmacist or pediatrician before use.</p>

<p>Likewise, there is no evidence that homeopathic teething gels work. If you use a homeopathic gel, make sure it has been approved for usage. Some unlicensed homeopathic gels advertised on the internet have serious negative side effects. The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency keeps a record of registered homeopathic gels<sup><a href="#accordion">[3]</a></sup>.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h5><strong>4. Paracetamol And Ibuprofen (Painkillers) For Teething</strong></h5>

<p>If your infant is experiencing discomfort, you should give them a sugar-free pain reliever. Teething symptoms can be relieved by paracetamol or ibuprofen in babies and young children aged 3 months and older.</p>

<p>Children under the age of 16 years should not be given aspirin. Always read and follow the directions that come with the medication. If you&#39;re unsure, consult your doctor or pharmacist.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h5><strong>5. Comforting A Teething Baby</strong></h5>

<p>Comforting or playing with your infant might distract them from any gum pain. Gently massaging their gums with a clean finger may also help.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h5><strong>6. Preventing Rashes Caused By Teething</strong></h5>

<p>If your baby is drooling more than usual because of teething, gently wash their face so as to prevent a rash from developing.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h5><strong>7. Looking After Your Baby&#39;s Teeth</strong></h5>

<p>You can begin cleaning your baby&#39;s teeth as soon as they appear. Brush your baby&#39;s teeth with a baby toothbrush and a small amount of fluoride or baby toothpaste.</p>

<p>Don&#39;t be concerned if you can&#39;t brush much at first. The most important thing is to inculcate the habit of cleaning their teeth as part of their regular routine. Ideally, you should lead by example by showing them how you brush your own teeth.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<ul>
	<li>For infants and toddlers up to the age of 3, use a very small amount of toothpaste; for kids between the ages of 3 and 6, use a pea-sized amount.</li>
	<li>Start brushing your child&#39;s teeth thoroughly over time, making sure to reach all of the tooth surfaces. Do it at least twice a day: once before bed, and the second time can be at any other time that works with your schedule.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>You may have to keep trying because not all youngsters enjoy having their teeth brushed. Make it a game or a family activity where your child joins you while you brush your&nbsp;teeth.</li>
	<li>The simplest and the most convenient method to brush your baby&#39;s teeth will be to sit them on your knee, with their head resting against your chest. With an older kid, stand behind them and tilt their head backward.</li>
	<li>Brush your child&#39;s teeth in small circles, covering all surfaces, and urge him or her to spit out the toothpaste. There is no need to rinse with water because this will remove the fluoride.</li>
	<li>Check to make sure your youngster is getting rid of all the toothpaste and isn&#39;t eating or licking toothpaste off the tube.</li>
	<li>Continue to assist your child with brushing their teeth until you are confident that they can do so independently. This will probably be when they turn 7.</li>
</ul>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Your baby&rsquo;s growing. Here&rsquo;s what you can do to help them calm down and soothe aching gums:&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h5><strong>1. Apply Non-Medicated Numbing Agents</strong></h5>

<p>Apply cold things to their gums before the teeth appear. Once the teething process begins, gently placing a cold (NOT freezing) object on your baby&#39;s gums can act as a pain reliever. You can use a cool teething ring, a chilly spoon, or a cold, moist cloth, whichever is available or works for your baby. Please ensure that whatever object you use for this purpose is clean.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h5><strong>2. Gently Rub Your Baby&#39;s Gums</strong></h5>

<p>Massage your baby&#39;s gums. If your child&#39;s gums feel sensitive at this stage, gently massage them with your finger. Remember to wash your hands thoroughly before doing it!&nbsp;</p>

<p>This technique can be used to put your infant to sleep, too. For example, if they wake up in the middle of the night, then this may help them fall back asleep. Spot the area where the teeth are coming through and concentrate on those specific places.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h5><strong>3. Start Cleaning Your Baby&#39;s Teeth With&nbsp;A&nbsp;Toothbrush</strong></h5>

<p>Teething means it&#39;s time to introduce your infant to the toothbrush. Use a baby toothbrush with soft bristles and a small head that will comfortably fit in your child&#39;s mouth. Make sure it also has a long enough handle for you to manage easily. Do it at least twice a day.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h5><strong>4. Use A Toothpaste</strong></h5>

<p>When to use toothpaste (fluoride or otherwise) to clean a baby&#39;s teeth appears to be a controversial topic. According to one school of thinking, it is not necessary to use toothpaste at first and you can simply moisten the brush and clean the teeth after feeding. The best way to go about it &ndash; that is, if you want to use toothpaste for your baby &ndash; is to consult with an experienced pediatric dentist.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h5><strong>5. Make A Bedtime Schedule For Your Baby</strong></h5>

<p>Maintain a consistent nighttime routine. If your infant is having trouble sleeping at night due to teething, try to keep a consistent pattern to indicate sleep time by maintaining a peaceful environment. You can gently rock them to sleep during teething.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h5><strong>6. Use Floss</strong></h5>

<p>Use floss to clean the spaces between your baby&#39;s teeth as soon as you can observe that they are growing near to one another.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h5><strong>7. Prevent Tooth Decay Due To Medications</strong></h5>

<p>Brush your baby&#39;s teeth after giving medicine. Some medications contain sugar, which can lead to tooth decay.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h5><strong>8. Use Teething Bibs</strong></h5>

<p>Did you know you can use dribble bibs even with a newborn? At that time, it&rsquo;s often to capture the milk during feedings. Once infants begin to exhibit teething symptoms, however, switch to a teething bib. This technique is primarily a matter of personal preference; there&rsquo;s no science behind it, though. The teething chew that is attached to the bib is an advantage, and your baby will enjoy it when they are prepared for teething.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<h5><strong>1.&nbsp;Keep Ice Cubes away from Your Infant</strong></h5>

<p>Avoid giving ice cubes to your baby. You might be tempted to let your baby suck on a piece of ice to help relieve them when they are teething, but ice cubes have a choking hazard for babies, and the pointed edges can cut the mouth. Crunching on an ice cube can also damage the enamel of primary teeth, resulting in microscopic fractures that can lead to decay.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h5><strong>2. Avoid Using Cold Objects</strong></h5>

<p>When your baby&#39;s teeth begin to appear, avoid using cold things at all costs. Sure, you can gently place something cold over your baby&#39;s gums before their teeth appear, but this needs to be stopped after their teeth appear because it can be harmful.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h5><strong>3. Don&#39;t Use Frozen Things</strong></h5>

<p>Just kind of reiterating the points above: avoid using frozen things! Frozen things, particularly teething rings, can cause bruises on your baby&#39;s delicate gums. Frostbite on the lips and gums can also result from the intense cold. Instead, give your infant a chilled teething ring.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h5><strong>4. Avoid Using Benzocaine Containing Medications&nbsp;</strong></h5>

<p>Avoid taking drugs that contain benzocaine without first consulting a doctor. Soothing gels and creams for newborns&#39; gums tend to contain benzocaine which, according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), should not be given to babies under 2 without a doctor&#39;s approval.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h5><strong>5. Avoid Giving Sugar To Your Baby</strong></h5>

<p>Avoid giving your baby too much sugar. Sugary foods or drinks that too on a regular basis put their teeth in danger of decay. Never put anything sweet in your infant&rsquo;s bottle.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h5><strong>6. Don&#39;t Use Baby Bottle as A Pacifier</strong></h5>

<p>Don&#39;t give your infant a bottle before they go to bed. &ldquo;Baby Bottle Tooth Decay&rdquo; can occur when a baby bottle is used as a pacifier.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p>The US FDA issued a warning to parents, caregivers, and health care providers about the risks of using jewelry to relieve teething pain<sup><a href="#accordion">[4]</a></sup>. They should not be used, neither to treat teething pain nor to give sensory stimulation to autistic or ADHD kids. The FDA has received reports of infant and child deaths besides serious injuries, including strangling and choking, that have been caused by teething jewelry such as amber teething necklaces.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<h5><strong>What Is Delayed Tooth Eruption In Babies?</strong></h5>

<p>When a tooth emerges later than usual, the phenomenon is known as delayed tooth eruption. The emergence of the first baby teeth between the ages of 12 and 24 months may be unusual. The eruption of baby teeth after 4 years is rare. Only a pediatric dentist can determine whether your child&#39;s teething schedule is suitable for their developmental progress or not.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<h5><strong>Reasons For Tooth Delay</strong></h5>

<p>There are numerous potential causes of delayed tooth eruption. In certain circumstances, it may be the first or early sign of a more serious ailment:</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<ul>
	<li>Premature birth or low birth weight</li>
</ul>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<ul>
	<li>Malnutrition</li>
</ul>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<ul>
	<li>Some syndromes can cause a delayed eruption of baby teeth, including:</li>
</ul>

<ol>
	<li><a href="https://www.merisehat.pk/disease/down-syndrome">Down syndrome</a></li>
	<li>Zimmermann-Laband-1 syndrome</li>
	<li>Apert syndrome</li>
	<li>Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome</li>
	<li>Ellis-van Creveld syndrome</li>
	<li>Axenfeld&ndash;Rieger syndrome</li>
</ol>

<p>These conditions may delay the eruption of permanent teeth, too.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<ul>
	<li>Developmental disorders -&nbsp;Late or absent baby teeth might be due to developmental disorders, such as:</li>
</ul>

<ol>
	<li>Cleidocranial dysostosis</li>
	<li>Ectodermal dysplasias</li>
	<li>Regional odontodysplasia</li>
</ol>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<ul>
	<li>Endocrine disorders -&nbsp;Delayed tooth eruption can be due to endocrine disease, including:</li>
</ul>

<ol>
	<li><a href="https://www.merisehat.pk/disease/hypothyroidism">Hypothyroidism</a></li>
	<li>Hypoparathyroidism</li>
	<li>Hypopituitarism</li>
</ol>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<ul>
	<li>Genetics<br />
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Conclusion

<p><span style="letter-spacing: 0.2px;">Your growing baby's teeth require the same care and attention as adult teeth. Although baby teeth are only temporary, they play a crucial role in building the groundwork for healthy future oral health by making room for permanent teeth. Baby teeth are also important in the development of speech and facial anatomy. Your baby's first dental visit will also allow the pediatric dentist to educate you as you and your baby deal with this phase together. An early dental examination can help discover potential problems before they become serious.<br><br></span></p>

Key Points

<ul><li>Infants begin teething between the ages of 6 and 12 months</li><li>There are measures you can take to make your child more comfortable throughout the procedure after discussing it with pediatricians.</li><li>Every baby is unique; you might need to try a few different methods until you find the one that works for your child.&nbsp;</li><li>There are certain dos and don’ts that every parent should keep in mind to tackle this period of teething.&nbsp;</li></ul>

[1] Tsang AKL. Teething, teething pain and teething remedies. Int Dent South Africa. 2010;12(5):48–61.

[2] Noor-Mohammed R, Basha S. Teething disturbances; prevalence of objective manifestations in children under  age 4 months to 36 months. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2012 May;17(3):e491-4.

[3] Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Parents advised not to use unlicensed homeopathic teething products in infants and children. GOV.UK.

[4] Commissioner Oof the. FDA warns about safety risks of teething necklaces, bracelets to relieve teething pain or to provide sensory stimulation. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

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