When do babies typically start teething. What are the common signs and symptoms of teething in infants. How can parents soothe a teething baby. Is it possible for a 2-month-old to be teething. What remedies are safe and effective for early teethers.

The Teething Timeline: When Do Babies Usually Start?

Teething is a significant milestone in a baby’s development, marking the emergence of their first teeth through the gums. While most infants begin this process around 6 months of age, the timing can vary considerably from child to child. Some babies may start teething as early as 4 months, while others might not see their first tooth until after their first birthday.

Is it possible for a 2-month-old to be teething? While uncommon, early teething can occur in some infants. If you notice signs of teething in your 2-month-old, don’t be alarmed – they may simply be ahead of the curve in their dental development.

The Average Teething Timeline

• 4-7 months: First tooth typically appears
• 6 months: Most common age to begin teething
• 3 years: Full set of primary teeth usually complete

It’s important to note that every baby is unique, and their teething timeline may not perfectly align with these averages. Factors such as genetics, nutrition, and overall development can influence when a baby starts teething.

Recognizing the Signs: Is Your Baby Teething?

Identifying teething symptoms can be challenging, especially in younger infants. While some babies may experience little to no discomfort, others might show more pronounced signs. Here are some common indicators that your baby, including a 2-month-old, might be teething:

• Excessive drooling
• Irritability and fussiness
• Chewing on objects or fingers
• Swollen or tender gums
• Difficulty sleeping
• Slight increase in body temperature
• Changes in eating habits

Are these symptoms exclusive to teething? Not necessarily. Many of these signs can also be attributed to normal developmental changes or other health issues. If you’re concerned about your baby’s symptoms, especially in a 2-month-old, it’s always best to consult with your pediatrician.

Early Teethers: When Babies Start Before 4 Months

While it’s less common, some babies may indeed start teething before the typical 4-7 month range. Early teething, including in 2-month-olds, is generally not a cause for concern. In fact, some babies are even born with teeth, known as natal teeth, occurring in approximately 1 in 2,000 to 1 in 3,000 newborns.

Why do some babies teeth earlier than others? Several factors can contribute to early teething:

• Genetics: If parents or siblings were early teethers, it may run in the family
• Nutrition: Proper nutrition during pregnancy and infancy can influence tooth development
• Overall development: Babies who reach other milestones early may also be early teethers

If you suspect your 2-month-old is teething, monitor their symptoms closely and consult with your pediatrician for guidance and reassurance.

Teething Symptoms vs. Other Health Concerns

Distinguishing between teething symptoms and signs of other health issues is crucial, especially in young infants like 2-month-olds. While teething can cause some discomfort and mild symptoms, it should not result in severe illness or high fever.

Which symptoms are not typically associated with teething?

• High fever (rectal temperature of 100.4°F/38°C or higher)
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Excessive crying or inconsolability
• Rashes other than on the face or diaper area

If your baby experiences any of these symptoms, particularly if they’re only 2 months old, it’s important to contact your pediatrician promptly. These could be signs of an infection or other health concern unrelated to teething.

Soothing Strategies for Teething Babies

When your baby is experiencing teething discomfort, whether they’re 2 months old or older, there are several safe and effective ways to provide relief:

1. Gently massage the gums with a clean finger
2. Offer a cold teething ring or washcloth to chew on
3. Provide safe, chewable teething toys
4. Use a clean, damp washcloth to wipe away excess drool
5. For babies over 6 months, offer cold foods like chilled cucumber or carrot sticks (under supervision)

Are medications safe for teething babies? For babies over 6 months, you can consider using infant acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain relief, but always consult with your pediatrician first, especially for younger infants like 2-month-olds.

Caution with Teething Remedies

Some teething remedies should be avoided due to potential risks:

• Teething necklaces or bracelets (choking hazard)
• Teething gels containing benzocaine (risk of rare but serious side effects)
• Homeopathic teething tablets (not regulated by the FDA)

Always prioritize safety when choosing teething remedies, especially for very young babies.

The Impact of Teething on Feeding

Teething can affect a baby’s feeding habits, whether they’re breastfed or bottle-fed. For breastfeeding mothers, early teething in a 2-month-old might present unique challenges.

How can teething affect breastfeeding?

• Changes in latch or sucking patterns
• Increased comfort nursing
• Temporary refusal to nurse due to gum discomfort
• Potential biting or gnawing on the breast

For bottle-fed babies, you might notice changes in their feeding routine or preferences. Some babies may want to feed more frequently for comfort, while others might temporarily decrease their intake due to gum soreness.

Tips for Feeding a Teething Baby

1. Be patient and offer extra comfort during feedings
2. Try different feeding positions to find what’s most comfortable
3. For breastfed babies, offer a cool teething toy before nursing to soothe gums
4. For bottle-fed babies, consider chilling the nipple slightly (not the milk)

Remember, these feeding challenges are usually temporary and will resolve as your baby adjusts to the teething process.

When to Seek Professional Help

While teething is a normal part of development, there are instances when you should consult a healthcare professional, especially if you’re dealing with a very young teether like a 2-month-old.

When should you contact your pediatrician about teething concerns?

• If your baby has a fever over 100.4°F (38°C)
• If teething symptoms seem excessive or are interfering with eating or sleeping
• If you notice any signs of infection in the gums
• If your baby hasn’t cut any teeth by 18 months
• If you have concerns about your baby’s oral development

Early dental care is crucial for your baby’s overall health. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends scheduling your child’s first dental visit by their first birthday or within six months of their first tooth emerging, whichever comes first.

Caring for Your Baby’s New Teeth

As soon as your baby’s first tooth appears, whether at 2 months or later, it’s time to start thinking about oral hygiene. Proper care of baby teeth is essential for your child’s long-term dental health.

How can you care for your baby’s emerging teeth?

1. Gently clean gums with a soft, damp cloth after feedings
2. Use a small, soft-bristled toothbrush designed for infants
3. Start using a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste when the first tooth appears
4. Avoid putting your baby to bed with a bottle to prevent tooth decay

Establishing good oral hygiene habits early will set the foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles.

The Importance of Baby Teeth

Baby teeth, also known as primary teeth, play crucial roles in your child’s development:

• Helping with proper speech development
• Enabling efficient chewing and nutrition
• Maintaining space for permanent teeth
• Contributing to facial structure and appearance

By taking good care of your baby’s first teeth, you’re setting them up for better oral health throughout their life.

Teething and Sleep: Navigating Nighttime Challenges

Teething can significantly impact a baby’s sleep patterns, causing disruptions for both the infant and parents. This can be particularly challenging when dealing with early teethers, such as 2-month-olds who are just establishing their sleep routines.

How does teething affect a baby’s sleep?

• Increased wakefulness due to discomfort
• Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• More frequent night wakings
• Changes in napping patterns

While these sleep disturbances can be frustrating, remember that they are usually temporary and will improve as your baby becomes more comfortable with the teething process.

Tips for Soothing a Teething Baby at Night

1. Maintain a consistent bedtime routine
2. Offer extra comfort and cuddles before bed
3. Use a white noise machine to create a soothing environment
4. Ensure the room is at a comfortable temperature
5. Consider offering a teething toy suitable for nighttime use

If sleep disruptions persist or become severe, especially in very young babies like 2-month-olds, consult with your pediatrician for additional guidance and to rule out other potential causes of sleep issues.

Teething and Development: Understanding the Connection

Teething is just one aspect of your baby’s overall development. It often coincides with other significant milestones, which can sometimes make it challenging to distinguish teething symptoms from normal developmental changes.

What other developments might occur around the same time as teething?

• Increased drooling (which can also be a sign of developing salivary glands)
• Putting objects in the mouth (part of normal exploration)
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Increased fussiness or clinginess

For 2-month-olds who may be teething early, it’s important to consider these symptoms in the context of their overall development. Many behaviors attributed to teething may simply be part of your baby’s normal growth and exploration.

Tracking Your Baby’s Development

Keeping track of your baby’s developmental milestones, including teething, can help you better understand their growth and identify any potential concerns. Consider using a baby development app or keeping a journal to note important changes and achievements.

Remember, every baby develops at their own pace. If you have concerns about your baby’s development, whether related to teething or other aspects, don’t hesitate to discuss them with your pediatrician.

Cultural Perspectives on Teething

Teething is a universal experience for babies around the world, but cultural beliefs and practices surrounding this milestone can vary significantly. Understanding these diverse perspectives can be interesting and may even offer new ideas for soothing your teething baby.

How do different cultures approach teething?

• In some African cultures, certain herbs are used to soothe teething pain
• In India, some families use a natural cooling gel made from plant extracts
• Some European traditions involve giving babies a silver spoon to chew on
• In parts of the Middle East, amber necklaces are believed to have pain-relieving properties (though these are not recommended due to choking hazards)

While it’s interesting to learn about these cultural practices, always consult with your pediatrician before trying any new teething remedies, especially for very young babies like 2-month-olds.

The Role of Family Traditions

Many families have their own traditions or remedies passed down through generations for dealing with teething babies. These can range from specific foods or teas to special songs or rituals. While honoring family traditions can be meaningful, always prioritize safety and consult with healthcare professionals when introducing any new teething remedies or practices.

Teething Myths and Misconceptions

There are many myths and misconceptions surrounding teething, some of which can lead to unnecessary worry or potentially harmful practices. It’s important to separate fact from fiction, especially when dealing with early teethers like 2-month-olds.

What are some common teething myths?

• Myth: Teething causes high fevers
• Fact: Teething may cause a slight temperature increase, but high fevers are not a typical symptom
• Myth: Teething causes severe diarrhea
• Fact: While mild loose stools can occur, severe diarrhea is not associated with teething
• Myth: Babies need teething biscuits to help teeth come through
• Fact: Teething biscuits are not necessary and can pose choking hazards
• Myth: Early teething is a sign of advanced intelligence
• Fact: The timing of teething is not related to cognitive development

By understanding these myths, parents can avoid unnecessary worry and focus on providing appropriate care and comfort for their teething babies.

The Importance of Evidence-Based Information

When seeking advice about teething, especially for very young babies, it’s crucial to rely on evidence-based information from reputable sources. Your pediatrician, dental professionals, and well-established child health organizations are the best resources for accurate, up-to-date information on teething and infant oral health.

Preparing Siblings for a Teething Baby

If you have older children, they may notice changes in their baby sibling’s behavior during the teething process. This can be an opportunity to involve them in caring for the baby and teach them about this developmental milestone.

How can you help older siblings understand and assist with a teething baby?

1. Explain teething in simple terms they can understand
2. Involve them in soothing activities, like singing to the baby or helping to offer safe teething toys
3. Encourage empathy by asking them to remember when they were teething (if they’re old enough)
4. Praise them for being helpful and understanding

When Do Babies Start Teething? Symptoms, Remedies, and More

Teething is when a baby’s teeth start to come through their gums. Most babies will start teething around the age of 6 months, but some may start sooner or later.

You love watching your baby hit those sweet milestones — the first smile, first giggle, and rolling over for the first time. But one that’s sometimes not so sweet (for you or for them) is teething.

Although this is a typical part of growing for babies, it is one of those milestones that can bring discomfort, tears (from you and baby), and even sleepless nights (yep, more of those!).

As for when your baby will actually start the process, it depends.

A baby’s teeth can sometimes emerge with no pain or discomfort, so you might not realize they’re teething until you see the first sign of a tiny white tooth. For other babies, though, teething does cause discomfort.

Common symptoms of teething may include:

• drooling
• face rash from drooling
• chewing on different objects
• irritability and crankiness
• crying
• refusing to eat
• swollen, sore, or tender gums
• trouble sleeping
• flushed cheeks
• pulling on their ears
• slightly elevated temperature to around 99°F (37. 2°C)

Note

On the other hand, a rectal temperature 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, vomiting, or diarrhea are not usually signs of teething. If your baby has these symptoms, contact their pediatrician.

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Symptoms of teething in breastfed babies

Teething symptoms can occur whether you breastfeed or bottle-feed your baby. But if you breastfeed or chestfeed, you might notice other changes, too. For example, gum pain or soreness might cause your baby to latch on differently.

Before a tooth emerges (and even afterward), you might feel your baby gnaw or bite down on your breasts. And since breastfeeding is soothing for babies, they might feed more often while teething.

Keep in mind that teething symptoms occur before a tooth breaks through the gum, so don’t be alarmed if you notice these changes in your baby but don’t see any sign of a tooth.

Most babies get their first tooth between 4 and 7 months old.

But there’s a wide range of when it’s considered “typical” to start teething. So don’t panic if your little one hasn’t cut a tooth by 7 or 9 months old. If you’re concerned, you can always speak with their pediatrician at their next checkup.

To get even more specific, most infants begin teething at around 6 months old. Your little one will likely have a full set of their first teeth by age 3, and all the joys of the teeth-brushing routine will have been long established.

But “typical” doesn’t mean “best” or “all.” Exactly when your baby will start teething may even be hereditary.

And though it may seem impossible, some babies are born with one or two teeth! This occurs in about 1 in 6,000 to 1 in 800 cases — so it’s uncommon. It makes for some incredibly adorable pictures, but let’s be honest — toothless grins are pretty darn cute, too.

Infants born with teeth should have them closely monitored since they can present a choking risk.

Some infants are early teethers — and it usually isn’t anything to worry about! If your little one starts showing signs of teething around 2 or 3 months old, they’re simply ahead of the curve in the teething department. And if your baby is a late teether, try not to worry about this either (easier said than done, we know).

Every baby is different, so don’t be concerned if all your child’s little friends have started to cut teeth already — yours will too, in their own time. In fact, if you’re going to compare at all, it’s better to consider when their siblings (if they have them) got their first tooth.

The bottom two teeth are usually the first to appear, followed by the four upper teeth. So keep an eye on that area and prepare for cuteness overload when they do.

Next, their teeth may come in two at a time, one on each side of the mouth. But this pattern can vary, and many factors can influence the timeline (like if your baby was born early or at a low birth weight, for example).

On average, babies have:

• 4 teeth by 11 months
• 8 teeth by 15 months
• 12 teeth by 19 months
• 16 teeth at 23 months

Those sometimes distressing (but always perfectly usual) teething symptoms may come and go during this time period. Or they may be more consistent as your little one cuts new teeth or starts to feel the first symptoms of a tooth emerging.

If your child doesn’t have any teeth by 18 months, see a pediatric dentist for evaluation. In rare cases, an underlying medical issue may cause a delay in teething. These may include:

• malnutrition
• vitamin deficiency
• underactive thyroid

If you’re concerned that it’s been a while since your child cut their last one or two teeth, speak with their pediatrician.

When your little one is teething, you may feel more inclined to reach for that bottle of wine or chocolate bar because it’s tough to see your baby in pain. (No? Just us?)

Well, baby needs some soothing, too.

Home remedies

These are some tried and true — and most importantly, safe — home remedies you can try:

• Gently massage your baby’s gums with a clean finger, knuckle, or moistened gauze pad.
• Hold a cold washcloth, spoon, or chilled teething ring on your baby’s gums.
• Use plastic or rubber toys that are chilled — never frozen solid (ouch!).
• Offer cold foods like a chilled little slice of cucumber if your baby is already eating solids — but always keep a watchful eye on them, because this could be a choking hazard.

Medical treatment

Currently, there aren’t any medical treatments to soothe teething pain in a baby. The good news, though, is that babies typically respond positively to home remedies.

If these remedies don’t relieve symptoms, feel free to ask your pediatrician about the occasional use of over-the-counter baby acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Your pediatrician can advise whether this is an OK treatment and provide guidance on proper dosing.

And an important note: No matter how attractive the item or the claims of its manufacturers, avoid teething necklaces or bracelets — worn by adults or babies — made of amber, wood, or silicone. These can quickly turn into choking hazards, and it’s just not worth it.

Also on the no-go list: homeopathic teething tablets and medicated topical gels. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warnings against using both of these products.

Medicated topical gels contain the ingredient benzocaine, which is an anesthetic. It’s found in products like Anbesol, Orajel, Baby Orajel, and Orabase.

Benzocaine is linked to a rare but serious condition called methemoglobinemia.

Keep in mind that good oral health isn’t important for only older children, teens, and adults. Your baby’s oral health matters too. So start brushing those pearly whites as soon as the first tooth grows in.

How do you keep their tiny, delicate teeth healthy? There really isn’t much to do at this age, but the first step is to buy an infant toothbrush that is soft and gentle. You’ll brush their teeth twice a day, once in the morning and once at night.

And yes, it’s OK to use a fluoride toothpaste, but not too much. You only need a small grain-size amount until they’re 3 years old; then, increase to a pea-sized amount.

Brushing helps prevent tooth decay, which can occur when sugar from milk, juice, or formula remains on their teeth and damages the enamel.

Have questions about teething? Here are answers to a few frequently asked questions.

What are the first signs of teething?

The teething experience can differ for each individual baby, but some of the first signs include:

• drooling
• gnawing
• trouble sleeping
• irritability or crying
• a mild increase in body temperature

Some babies also develop flushness around their cheeks or a rash. And if you breastfeed or chestfeed, teething might change the way your baby latches, or they might feed more often to soothe themselves.

How early do babies show signs of teething?

Teething typically occurs around 6 months of age. However, some babies start teething as early as 2 or 3 months. Then again, some babies teeth later and don’t cut their first tooth until 8 or 9 months (or later).

How long does teething last for babies?

The teething timeframe differs for each baby. But regardless of whether a baby starts teething at 6 months or 9 months, they typically stop teething before age 3. Some babies stop teething around 24 months, while others don’t stop until 36 months.

Do babies get sick when teething?

Even though your baby may have physical discomfort, teething doesn’t make them sick. So if your baby has a runny nose, productive cough, diarrhea, vomiting, or a high fever, these symptoms aren’t associated with teething. This could be a sign of an infection, so speak with their pediatrician.

When your baby cuts their first tooth usually says nothing about their development — as with most things baby, there’s such a wide range of totally OK. Most infants end up with a full set of baby teeth by the time they’re 3 years old, regardless of when they cut that first tooth.

But if your baby hasn’t cut a tooth by the time they’re 18 months old, talk with your dentist. Ideally, you’ve already brought your baby to a pediatric dentist by age 1, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (and the American Dental Association and American Academy of Pediatrics, too).

So if you haven’t seen a dentist yet, this would be a good time to have your sweet babe’s mouth and gums checked out.

While visiting the dentist for the first time may sound scary, remember these two things: Your baby hasn’t yet had a negative dental experience to create dread, and pediatric dentists are great at making the visit comfortable — it can even be even fun.

Once your little one does cut a tooth or two, be sure to take good care to clean around the area each day with a damp, cool washcloth or soft-bristle baby toothbrush. Before you know it, they’ll (hopefully!) be brushing their teeth on their own.

Your Infant is Teething: Know the Signs and Symptoms

Advice From Our Experts

July 10, 2020

Teething can be a time of great frustration for caregivers, in this post I will list some of the most common symptoms, explain how they relate to teething and share some insight on how to help soothe your little one during this potentially uncomfortable time.

When Does Teething Begin for Infants?

Teething usually starts around four to eight months with the lower front teeth and continues until 30-36 months of age when the last set of molars appear. During the teething period there are symptoms that include irritability, disrupted sleep, swelling or inflammation of the gums, drooling, loss of appetite, rash around the mouth, mild temperature, diarrhea, increased biting and gum-rubbing and even ear-rubbing. These symptoms were reported by 70-80 percent of parents according to an article from the British Dental Journal. So, why don’t all infants experience teething symptoms? Keep reading to find out.

Why Teething Symptoms May Be Confused with Cold Symptoms

Research has pointed out that teething begins around six months of age. This is the same time when an infant’s immunities they received from their mother, via the placenta, are diminishing. This means that the infant’s own immune system is becoming established. During this time, infants become vulnerable to minor infections. Because these two changes are taking place, the symptoms of teething can be confused with a minor illness or cold and visa versa. This explains why only 70-80 percent of parents reported teething symptoms of their infant; it’s very likely that parents of the remaining 20-30 percent associated the symptoms to a minor illness or cold.

Below is a list of commonly reported teething symptoms, with ways to help your infant at home and when to call the doctor:

• Irritability
• Drooling/Skin Rashes
• Coughing
• Biting and Gnawing
• Low Grade Fever
• Cheek rubbing and ear pulling
• Diarrhea

Irritability

This is caused by the discomfort of the teeth erupting through the gums. Often the first teeth and molars are the most uncomfortable.

How to help your infant’s irritability: Cuddle, cuddle, cuddle! Every baby can use some good cuddle time when they are having a hard time with teething. The extra time spent with your baby can help alleviate their pain, by providing feelings of being comforted and reassured.

Drooling/Skin Rashes

Teething can stimulate drooling and many babies drool a lot!

How to help your infant’s drooling: Excessive drooling can cause a rash around the mouth, cheeks, chin and neck area due to the extra bacteria on the skin from the saliva. Try to keep the area as clean and as dry as possible by periodically wiping the area. Applying a simple barrier cream can help with the dry, chapped and sore skin.

Coughing

The extra saliva produced during teething can cause an occasional cough or gag.

How to help your infant’s coughing: If your infant’s cough continues or is accompanied by a high fever and cold or flu symptoms, contact your infant’s pediatrician. The high fever with cold and flu symptoms is not related to teething, but is actually a sign that your infant is sick.

Biting and Gnawing

The counter pressure from biting on practically anything can alleviate the pressure from under the gums.

How to help your infant’s biting and gnawing: Anything cold works great! My best friend mixes water with the pouches of baby food and freezes them to make fruit and veggie popsicles. There are teething rings, chew beads and any commercially bought teething toys can help, especially when chilled or frozen.

Low Grade Fever

A low grade fever is defined and caused by the following:

• A temperature ranging from 98-100 degrees.
• It can be caused by an infant putting their unclean hands in their mouth.

If the fever reaches above 101 degrees or continues, contact your infant’s pediatrician because it may not be the teething but a more serious illness.

How to help your infant’s low grade fever: Use an age-appropriate pain medication and please consult your infant’s pediatrician and the medication label for correct dosage.

Cheek rubbing and ear pulling

This is caused by pain in the gums, which can travel to the cheek and ear, especially when the molars are erupting. Infants will rub those areas. Keep in mind that ear pulling or rubbing can also be a sign of an ear infection, please contact your infant’s pediatrician if this symptom continues or is accompanied with a high fever.

How to help your infant’s cheek rubbing and ear pulling: Try rubbing and massaging the gums with a clean finger for one to two minutes to help with the discomfort.

Teething and Diarrhea

Many believe that the increased saliva produced during teething can cause stool to become slightly loose.Keep in mind, diarrhea can be a sign of a more serious infection so contact your infant’s pediatrician if the stool becomes watery, because your infant could be at risk for dehydration. Contacting your infant’s pediatrician is especially important if the diarrhea is accompanied by vomiting or a high fever.

I hope the list of symptoms and ways you can help your infant will guide you through your infant’s teething phase. I also hope this helps ease the potential stress experienced by many parents. Just remember, that many symptoms we think are teething can be associated with illness, may be completely unrelated to teething and may need to be addressed by a physician.

Teething in a child: timing, care, ways to relieve pain

Children will definitely appreciate the parental contribution to maintaining dental health when they grow up. In order to help the baby from the very beginning, it is necessary to know the structural features, the stages of formation and the correct order of teething.

Teeth development before eruption

The health of your baby’s teeth should be taken care of long before they erupt. It is useful for expectant mothers to know that the rudiments of milk teeth are formed already at the 7-8th week of intrauterine development, and permanent ones at the end of 4 months. Not just teething timing, but even level enamel mineralization both milk and molars depends on how the pregnancy proceeds. Therefore, it is so critical that a woman receives all the vitamins, microelements and is as healthy as possible.

But not only food is important. The results of the research showed that in the presence of industrial harmful substances in the environment of the expectant mother during pregnancy and numerous stressful situations, the formation of all dental tissues is disrupted in the child and the timing of the appearance of milk teeth is shifted. Among children born to women with high blood pressure, late eruption of temporary teeth was noted in 56.7%. Approximately one third of the examined children born to mothers with heart defects revealed late eruption of temporary teeth, as well as deviations in the pairing and sequence of their eruption. The duration of pregnancy also plays a role. There is a pronounced dependence of the timing of the eruption of the first teeth on the degree of prematurity: the earlier the baby was born, the later the first teeth erupt ^{[1, 2]} .

Why milk teeth are needed

Nature has conceived the correct order and timing of teething in children. Evolutionarily, this is due to the need to form the bite and jaw bones for chewing and speech. Over the years, the bones grow, and the milk teeth, which at the beginning of their appearance fit snugly against each other, diverge by the age of 6-7, forming wide, natural interdental spaces for this period – tremas and diastemas.

There are only 20 teeth in the milk bite. This is due to the fact that they must be correctly placed in the small children’s jaw of the first years of a baby’s life, and eliminates the crowding of teeth that provokes dental diseases. The last of the milk teeth are replaced at the age of 10-12 years. However, they are very important for the physiological formation of the jawbones and permanent occlusion.

Proper growth and health of milk teeth help:

• rebuild the body from lactophoric to a mixed type of nutrition;

• reserve space for the normal positioning of future molars;

• form a mixed bite.

There is an erroneous opinion that milk teeth in case of infection with caries can not be treated, but immediately removed. But modern dentists are against such tactics. Early removal is fraught with displacement of neighboring milk teeth and the appearance of problems already with an adult bite. Therefore, it is so important to maintain the presence and health of all milk teeth until the moment when permanent teeth erupt on their own ^[3] .

The structure of milk teeth

Temporary teeth have thinner enamel, and their internal pulp cavity is larger compared to permanent ones. All this makes the tooth lighter, which helps with the eruption of permanent teeth, but at the same time accelerates the development of caries and pulpitis. However, there are bonuses: by the time the molars begin to erupt, which will remain with the child until the end of life, the roots of milk teeth even dissolve to ensure their rapid and relatively painless loss.

Terms of eruption of milk teeth

Teething is a genetically programmed event that occurs at a certain period. Physiological teething is characterized by three main features: certain timing, pairing and sequence of teething. Galaktionova M. Yu.

Children’s milk teething rates differ depending on their ethnicity. But as studies show, in general, the world is experiencing a reduction in the time from birth to the moment when the first tooth appears. This is due, according to most researchers, to the global acceleration of human development ^[1] . How and when milk teeth erupt is one of the indicators of a child’s physical development.

Causes of violation of the order and timing of teething in children can be:

• heredity;

• climatic conditions;

• nature of feeding;

• certain diseases, such as rickets.

The eruption rates for milk teeth according to the American Dental Association are presented in the table.

The specified periods are average indicators, varying depending on individual and family characteristics ^[4,5] . But the sequence of appearance of teeth is essential, and it is better to track and record it. From a physiological point of view, the correct order of eruption of milk teeth in children is important for bite formation .

Teething aid

The appearance of milk teeth is not an easy process not only for the children themselves, but also for their parents. The most common teething symptoms:

• swelling and redness of the gums;

• excessive salivation;

• itching and urge to keep hands, toys in mouth;

• capriciousness of a child;

• sleep disorder;

• refusal to breast, bottle or complementary foods;

• temperature increase;

• stool disorders;

• runny nose.

The following will help you get through this period as comfortably as possible:

• special teething rings that relieve itching, especially with a cooling effect;

• local anesthetic dental gels;

• antipyretic and analgesic preparations;

Gentle silicone fingertip massage to soothe and relieve your baby ^[6]

Baby Teeth Care

Once the first tooth has erupted, don’t put off going to the dentist. Schedule a visit (at least once every 3-4 months). And after the first birthday, it is also desirable to be observed by an orthodontist. If there are no problems, visits to him should be repeated once a year ^[7,8]

Proper care at home is important.

• Milk teeth are suitable for an ultra-soft toothbrush with a small head.

• Children’s mouth rinses are used from about 4 years old or from the time the child can spit.

• Parents should supervise the brushing of preschool children’s teeth and, if necessary, help and clean missed areas.

• Adults should teach their children to rinse their mouth after meals from a very young age.

• Until the child has learned to spit on his own, toothpaste should not contain fluorides.

• A bathroom timer or a favorite song helps you stick to the 2-minute brushing time.

• Solid food should be included in the diet daily in sufficient quantities to properly form the bite and stimulate the gums.

These simple tips help keep baby teeth healthy from the very beginning until they are naturally replaced by permanent teeth.

List of sources

1. Izmestieva OV, Galaktionova M. Yu., Manashev GG Characteristics of exogenous and endogenous factors affecting the eruption of temporary teeth in children. 2012 // https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/harakteristika-ekzogennyh-i-endogennyh-faktorov-vliyayuschih-na-prorezyvanie-vremennyh-zubov-u-detey (date of access: 21.02.2020)

2. Galaktionova M. Yu., Izmest’eva OV Timing of eruption of temporary teeth and the nature of feeding children in the first year of life. 2012 // https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/sroki-prorezyvaniya-vremennyh-zubov-i-harakter-vskarmlivaniya-detey-pervogo-goda-zhizni (date of access: 02/21/2020)

3. Iordanishvili AK, Korovin NV, Serikov AA Anatomical and topometric characteristics of the jaws during eruption and retention of wisdom teeth. 2017 //https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/anatomo-topometricheskie-harakteristiki-chelyustey-pri-prorezyvanii-i-retentsii-zubov-mudrosti (Accessed: 02/21/2020)

4. Bimbas ES, Saipeeva MM, Shishmareva AS Timing of eruption of permanent teeth in children of primary school age. 2016 //https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/sroki-prorezyvaniya-postoyannyh-zubov-u-detey-mladshego-shkolnogo-vozrasta (date of access: 02/21/2020)

5. Shilova N., Berzina S., Brinkmane A., Dulevska I., Umbraszko S., Briede I. Timing and sequence of eruption of primary teeth and factors influencing them. 2017 // https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/sroki-i-posledovatelnost-prorezyvaniya-molochnyh-zubov-i-vliyayuschie-na-nih-faktory (date of access: 02/21/2020)

6. Bogdanova NA, Zueva TE How to help a child with teething? A new look at an old problem. 2019 // https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/kak-pomoch-rebenku-pri-prorezyvanii-zubov-novyy-vzglyad-na-staruyu-problemu (date of access: 02/21/2020)

7. Ayupova FS Tactics of treatment of children with anomalies in the eruption of permanent posterior teeth. 2013 // https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/taktika-lecheniya-detey-s-anomaliyami-prorezyvaniya-postoyannyh-bokovyh-zubov (date of access: 21.02.2020)

8. Gatalsky VV Control of the mesiodistal size of the dentition as one of the aspects of the prevention of dental anomalies. 2005 // https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/kontrol-meziodistalnogo-razmera-zubnogo-ryada-kak-odin-iz-aspektov-profilaktiki-zubochelyustnyh-anomaliy (date of access: 21.02.2020)

Which teeth erupt first – Dr. Lapchenko Dental Clinic

A baby has appeared in the house. The first fears and worries passed, the pediatrician came for an examination and informed the young parents that the child was completely healthy. They even coped with the first difficulties: with colic, they “saved” my mother’s warmth and good old dill water. Sleepless nights are over and it’s time to relax and enjoy watching your baby grow? Alas, a new test awaits parents ahead: the child’s teeth begin to cut.

How to “survive” this difficult period, what you should remember and how you can help your child, we will tell in this article.

When teething starts

Your child’s future teeth are formed during the prenatal period, during the second month of pregnancy. When should you expect the first tooth? As a rule, the first milk teeth appear in children at the age of 4-7 months. We say “usually” because teething is an exclusively individual process and it is not worth worrying about the fact that teeth do not appear “on schedule”. There are cases when a child is already born with the first teeth, and sometimes the teeth can wait until the first Birthday of your crumbs.

What determines the timing of teething

Teething a little earlier or later than the average set period of 6 months is not a cause for concern. The timing of the “exit” of the tooth from the gums can depend on factors such as the mother’s diet during pregnancy, the individual characteristics of the child, and even heredity. Check with your next of kin: perhaps the first milk teeth appeared quite late for you or your parents, and the baby simply “observes family traditions”.

Graph of the appearance of teeth in babies

And yet, while waiting for the first tooth, I want to focus on some dates. As we said above, it is worth preparing for 4-7 months.

Which teeth come in first

• teeth usually start to erupt from the lower central incisors, they erupt in pairs. Then the upper central incisors erupt. By 8 months, 4 incisors usually appear – two in each jaw;
• by 12 months, lateral incisors erupt on both jaws;
• after the incisors, the first large molars, or molars, appear. They should be expected by the age of 12-16 months;
• behind them – fangs, at 16-20 months;
• and the last, by the age of two, the second molars are born.

Remember that your baby may have a different “formula” for teething. Violation of the timing and order of the appearance of teeth is not a sign of some kind of pathology.

There are 20 milk teeth in total, and by the age of three, most children can already boast of a complete set.

Teething symptoms

The timing has been determined. How to understand that baby is teething? Forerunners of this are characteristic symptoms:

• tearfulness and restlessness;
• sleep disturbance;
• profuse salivation;
• rashes and irritations of the skin around the mouth;
• temperature increase;
• inflammation of the gums;
• coryza;
• cough;
• diarrhea.

The combination of several or even all of these symptoms is characteristic of teething. As you can see, the manifestations are not at all specific, and can accompany many other diseases. That is why it is important to see a doctor if the child’s condition does not improve within three days, or if the temperature rises above 38.5-39°C. Attributing childhood ailments to the teeth, it is very easy to “miss” an infectious or viral disease – be careful.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the most frightening symptoms that accompany teething and the causes that cause them.

Inflammation of the gums

The gums become “loose” and change color. Bumps, bruises and light streaks are sure signs that your child will soon delight you with a new tooth.

Fever

The temperature usually rises slightly – up to 37.5 ° C. If the numbers on the thermometer reached the level of 38.5-39 ° C, most likely an infection has joined. In this case, it is necessary to give the baby an antipyretic and consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Runny nose

Profuse salivation is not the only manifestation of teething. Just as the mucous membrane of the mouth reacts, so does the nose. Hence the runny nose. If a three-month-old baby has small amounts of transparent snot, the reason is most likely in the teeth. Do not try different medicines. It is enough just to regularly clean the clogged nose. There can be two reasons to see a doctor with a runny nose:

• runny nose continues and does not decrease for three days;
• nasal discharge has ceased to be transparent, and has become greenish – this may indicate that a bacterial infection has appeared against the background of a weakened immune system.

Cough

Cough is caused by saliva that collects in the throat. The fact is that in children the swallowing reflex is not sufficiently developed and with a large volume of liquid, children begin to cough it up. With cutting teeth, the cough is wet, rare and does not last more than 3-4 days. A dry, irritating mucous membrane and a prolonged cough is a definite reason to make an appointment with your pediatrician.

Diarrhea

Oddly enough, but violations of the excretory function are also caused by strong salivation. Constantly swallowing, the child thereby stimulates the peristalsis of his intestines, which causes a loosening of the stool. Diarrhea with cutting teeth is not very liquid, without blood threads and does not last more than two days. If something has alerted you – do not hesitate to contact the doctor.

Which teeth come out first, how to help your child

When teeth come out , your baby changes dramatically. Irritability, frequent crying, sleep disturbance and loss of appetite – teething is a difficult time for both the baby and the parents. How to help the child and how to speed up the appearance of teeth? Unfortunately, there is no way to speed up the process, but you can alleviate the condition of the baby. It is recommended to gently massage the gums with your fingertip, and a cool teether will relieve pain. A little secret: children are easily distracted. Show the baby something interesting – and he will calm down, forgetting about the discomfort in his mouth. Do not forget about the power of maternal warmth. Hold the child close to you, shake it: it is easier for a baby to survive any sorrows next to his mother.

Remedies for symptoms: how to relieve pain

The process of teething does not take one day, but can stretch for weeks. That is why it is so important to replenish your first-aid kit in advance with products that will help your child to endure unpleasant sensations more easily, and you to remain calm.

1. Is the appearance of new teeth accompanied by high fever? It is worth stocking up on special dental gels (Kamistad-gel), which have a cooling and local anesthetic effect. You can use the gels from the age of four months, and, depending on the composition, apply up to 5-6 times a day.
2. Has the temperature risen? Children’s antipyretics based on ibuprofen (Nurofen) or paracetamol (Panadol) will not only lower the temperature, but also reduce the severity of the inflammatory process. Please note: teeth rarely give a very high temperature. If you see numbers above 39 ° C on your baby’s thermometer, call your doctor immediately.
3. If for some reason a child cannot take medicines, homeopathy comes to the rescue. Good results in teething are also given by homeopathic suppositories (Viburkol) and sucking tablets (Dormikind).
4. Do not forget about the “grandmother’s” methods. Cool items (from special teethers to a regular spoon) can significantly alleviate the child’s condition.