What are the signs of teething in a 2-month-old baby. How can you soothe your baby’s teething discomfort. Is fever a common symptom of teething. What remedies are safe and effective for teething babies.

Understanding Teething in Infants: A Comprehensive Guide

Teething is a significant milestone in a baby’s development, often accompanied by discomfort and behavioral changes. While it typically begins around six months of age, some babies may start teething as early as two months. This article delves into the intricacies of teething, focusing on early teething signs, symptoms, and effective remedies to help soothe your little one.

Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Teething

Identifying teething symptoms can be challenging, especially in younger infants. Here are some common signs to watch for:

• Red and swollen gums
• Flushed cheeks or face
• Excessive drooling
• Increased biting or sucking behavior
• Ear rubbing on the same side as the erupting tooth
• Disrupted sleep patterns
• Decreased appetite
• Irritability and general fussiness

Can teething cause fever in babies? While a slight temperature increase is possible just before a tooth breaks through, teething should not cause high fever or serious illness. If your baby develops a high temperature or seems particularly unwell, it’s essential to consult your pediatrician as these symptoms may indicate an underlying illness unrelated to teething.

The Science Behind Teething Pain

Why do babies experience discomfort during teething? The process of teething involves tooth buds, which formed in your baby’s gums while in the womb, now pushing through the gum tissue. This emergence can cause pain, tenderness, and swelling in the gums, leading to the various symptoms associated with teething.

The Impact of Teething on Feeding

Teething can significantly affect a baby’s feeding habits. The pressure and discomfort in their gums may cause them to turn away from breast or bottle feeding. This behavior is temporary and usually resolves as the tooth fully emerges.

Effective Remedies to Soothe Teething Discomfort

Alleviating your baby’s teething pain can be achieved through various methods. Here are some safe and effective remedies:

1. Gently massage your baby’s gums with a clean finger
2. Offer a teething ring, preferably silicone-based and chilled (not frozen)
3. For weaned babies, provide cooled soft foods like banana or cucumber slices
4. Offer chilled water in a bottle or feeding cup
5. Try cold fruit puree or plain yogurt for babies on solid foods

Are teething gels safe and effective for babies? While teething gels containing mild anesthetic and antiseptic properties are available, their effectiveness is not strongly supported by scientific evidence. If you choose to use them, opt for sugar-free varieties specifically designed for babies and follow the instructions carefully. For babies under two months, consult your healthcare provider before using any teething remedies.

Alternative Teething Remedies: Separating Fact from Fiction

Many parents turn to alternative remedies to soothe their teething babies. But do these methods actually work?

Homeopathic and Herbal Teething Products

Homeopathic teething granules or powders are popular among some parents. However, there’s no scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness. If you choose to use these products, ensure they are sugar-free to protect your baby’s emerging teeth.

Amber Teething Jewelry

Amber necklaces, anklets, or bracelets are believed by some to release pain-relieving oils when worn against the skin. While some parents claim these help, there’s no scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness. Moreover, any form of jewelry poses a choking hazard for infants and should be used with extreme caution, if at all.

Managing Teething-Related Skin Irritation

Excessive drooling during teething can lead to skin irritation, particularly on the chin. To manage this:

• Gently wipe drool with a soft cotton cloth
• Apply a barrier cream like petroleum jelly to protect the skin
• Avoid rubbing the irritated area to prevent further soreness

When to Seek Medical Advice for Teething Symptoms

While teething is a normal developmental process, it’s important to know when to consult a healthcare professional. Seek medical advice if your baby:

• Develops a high fever (over 101°F or 38.3°C)
• Shows signs of severe pain or distress
• Has prolonged loss of appetite
• Experiences diarrhea or vomiting
• Develops a rash that doesn’t improve with home care

Is it normal for teething symptoms to persist for extended periods? While teething can cause discomfort for several days around the time a tooth is breaking through, prolonged or severe symptoms are not typical of teething alone and may indicate other health issues.

Promoting Oral Health During Teething

As your baby’s first teeth emerge, it’s crucial to establish good oral hygiene habits. Here are some tips to maintain your baby’s oral health during teething:

• Begin cleaning gums with a soft, damp cloth before teeth appear
• Introduce a small, soft-bristled toothbrush once the first tooth emerges
• Use a tiny amount of fluoride toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice) for brushing
• Avoid putting your baby to bed with a bottle to prevent tooth decay
• Schedule your baby’s first dental visit by their first birthday or within six months of the first tooth appearing

How often should you brush your teething baby’s teeth? It’s recommended to brush your baby’s teeth twice a day – once in the morning and once before bedtime. This routine helps prevent tooth decay and establishes lifelong oral hygiene habits.

The Role of Nutrition in Teething and Dental Development

Proper nutrition plays a crucial role in your baby’s overall health, including dental development. Here are some nutritional considerations during the teething phase:

Essential Nutrients for Healthy Teeth

• Calcium: Found in breast milk, formula, and later in dairy products
• Vitamin D: Helps the body absorb calcium effectively
• Phosphorus: Works with calcium to build strong teeth
• Vitamin C: Important for healthy gums

Should you adjust your baby’s diet during teething? While your baby might show less interest in feeding due to gum discomfort, it’s important to maintain a balanced diet. Offer softer foods if your baby is on solids, and ensure adequate hydration. Avoid sugary foods and drinks, as they can contribute to tooth decay.

Introducing Teething-Friendly Foods

For babies who have started solid foods, certain foods can provide relief during teething:

• Chilled cucumber or carrot sticks (under supervision)
• Cold applesauce or yogurt
• Frozen fruit in a mesh feeder
• Teething biscuits (sugar-free options)

Always supervise your baby during feeding to prevent choking hazards.

The Emotional Aspect of Teething: Supporting Your Baby and Yourself

Teething can be a challenging time for both babies and parents. Here are some strategies to navigate this period:

Comforting Your Teething Baby

• Provide extra cuddles and attention
• Use gentle rocking or swaying motions
• Try distraction techniques with toys or soft music
• Maintain a consistent bedtime routine

Self-Care for Parents

Caring for a teething baby can be exhausting. Remember to:

• Take breaks when possible
• Share nighttime duties with a partner if available
• Seek support from family or friends
• Practice stress-relief techniques like deep breathing or short meditations

How can you maintain your well-being while caring for a teething baby? Prioritize self-care by getting adequate rest when possible, maintaining a healthy diet, and seeking support from your social network. Remember, taking care of yourself enables you to better care for your baby.

Teething Milestones: What to Expect

While every baby is different, there’s a general timeline for teething:

1. Bottom front teeth (central incisors): 6-10 months
2. Top front teeth (central incisors): 8-12 months
3. Top lateral incisors: 9-13 months
4. Bottom lateral incisors: 10-16 months
5. First molars: 13-19 months
6. Canine teeth: 16-23 months
7. Second molars: 23-33 months

Is it normal for teeth to appear out of this order? While most babies follow this pattern, it’s not uncommon for teeth to appear in a slightly different order. If you have concerns about your baby’s dental development, consult your pediatrician or a pediatric dentist.

Debunking Common Teething Myths

There are many myths surrounding teething. Let’s address some common misconceptions:

Myth 1: Teething Causes High Fever

Fact: While teething may cause a slight temperature increase, it doesn’t cause high fever. Any temperature above 101°F (38.3°C) should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.

Myth 2: Teething Causes Severe Diarrhea

Fact: Mild loose stools can occur due to increased saliva production, but severe or prolonged diarrhea is not a symptom of teething and requires medical attention.

Myth 3: Babies Need Medicine for Teething

Fact: Most babies can be comforted with non-medicinal remedies like teething rings or gum massage. Always consult a healthcare provider before using any medication for teething.

Myth 4: Early Teething Indicates Advanced Development

Fact: The timing of teething is not related to a baby’s intelligence or developmental progress. Each baby follows their own unique timeline.

Are there any long-term effects of early or late teething? The timing of teething generally doesn’t affect a child’s long-term dental health. However, it’s important to maintain good oral hygiene regardless of when teeth appear.

Preparing for the Teething Journey

As your baby embarks on their teething journey, being prepared can make the process smoother for everyone involved. Here are some tips to help you navigate this developmental stage:

Creating a Teething Toolkit

Assemble a collection of items that can provide relief:

• Various teething toys with different textures
• Clean, damp washcloths (can be chilled)
• Silicone-based teething rings
• Gentle baby toothbrush for gum massage
• Bibs to manage drooling

Establishing a Soothing Routine

Develop a consistent approach to comforting your teething baby:

1. Regular gum massages
2. Scheduled quiet time for relaxation
3. Consistent bedtime rituals
4. Balanced feeding schedule

How can you adjust your baby’s routine during teething? Be flexible with feeding times and sleep schedules, allowing for extra comfort sessions when needed. Maintain as much consistency as possible in other aspects of your baby’s routine to provide a sense of security.

Monitoring Developmental Progress

While focusing on teething, continue to observe your baby’s overall development:

• Track motor skill advancements
• Note changes in communication attempts
• Observe social interaction developments
• Keep up with regular pediatric check-ups

Teething is just one aspect of your baby’s growth. Maintaining a holistic view of their development helps ensure you’re providing comprehensive care and support during this important phase.

Long-Term Dental Health Considerations

As your baby’s first teeth emerge, it’s crucial to think about long-term dental health. Here are some key considerations:

Establishing Good Oral Hygiene Habits

• Start cleaning gums before teeth appear
• Introduce a toothbrush as soon as the first tooth emerges
• Use fluoride toothpaste in appropriate amounts
• Make brushing a fun, regular part of your baby’s routine

Planning for Future Dental Care

Lay the groundwork for a lifetime of good oral health:

1. Schedule the first dental visit by the first birthday
2. Learn about proper nutrition for dental health
3. Understand the importance of regular dental check-ups
4. Be aware of potential orthodontic needs in the future

How often should children visit the dentist after their first birthday? The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends dental check-ups every six months for most children, starting at age one. However, your dentist might suggest more frequent visits based on your child’s individual needs.

Addressing Common Dental Concerns

Be prepared to handle potential issues that may arise:

• Early childhood caries (tooth decay)
• Thumb sucking and pacifier use
• Proper alignment of emerging teeth
• Injuries to baby teeth

Early awareness and proactive care can prevent many dental problems and set the stage for excellent oral health throughout your child’s life.

Teething: how to ease the distress

How do I know if my baby is teething?

Your baby may sprout their first teeth with no problems at all, but for most babies (and their parents) it isn’t a lot of fun at times.

If your baby’s teeth are on their way, you may notice some of these signs of teething:

• red and swollen gums
• red, flushed cheeks or face
• heavy dribbling
• gum-rubbing, biting or sucking
• rubbing their ear on the same side as an erupting tooth
• disrupted sleep during naps and at night
• not feeding as well
• irritable and unsettled (NICE 2014, NHS 2016a)

It’s possible your baby may also develop a slight temperature just before a tooth breaks through (NICE 2014). However, teething shouldn’t cause serious illness so if you’re worried, see your doctor as it could be a virus or other illness causing the symptoms (NICE 2014).

My baby has a rash on their chin from dribbling.

How should I treat it?

Gently wipe the drool off your baby’s chin as often as you can with a soft cotton cloth (NHS 2016b). Be careful not to rub their chin as it may be sore. You could also smooth a barrier cream, such as petroleum jelly, on their chin at bedtime and before you take them out and about. This may help protect their skin from further irritation (BNF for Children 2018).

Is my baby teething? (Video)

Think your baby may be cutting their first tooth? See what teething looks like and learn how to soothe the symptoms.More baby videos

Why does teething hurt so much?

Your baby’s teeth started developing while they were in your womb, when tooth buds were formed in their gums. Now their teeth are emerging through their gums. This is what’s causing them to be painful and perhaps tender and swollen.
Pressure on your baby’s teeth from chewing may relieve their pain. Nonetheless, your baby’s gums will be particularly sensitive. This is why they may turn away from your breast or a bottle when they’re teething.

What are the best ways to soothe my baby’s painful gums?

Giving your baby something cool to bite on can relieve the pressure and soothe inflamed gums. You could try these ideas:

• Rub a clean finger over your baby’s sore gums to ease the pain temporarily (NICE 2014).
• Give your baby a teething ring (NICE 2014, NHS 2016b). Solid, silicone-based teething rings are better than liquid-filled products, which could leak and can’t be sterilised. You could try putting the teething ring in the fridge for a while before giving it to your baby so it numbs the pain. Don’t put it in the freezer, as this could damage your baby’s gums (NHS 2016b).

If your baby has been weaned, you could also let them chew on cooled, soft foods such as banana and cucumber as long as you’re nearby (NICE 2014). Avoid hard foods that could break up into pieces and cause your baby to choke.

Never tie teething rings or dummies around your baby’s neck so they can reach them easily, as it’s a choking hazard (NHS 2016b).

You could also try chilled water in a bottle or, if they prefer, a feeding cup. If they’re old enough for solid foods, try offering them cold fruit puree or plain yoghurt. However, there will be times when your baby will reject all of these and want nothing more than a cuddle.

Should I use teething gels or alternative remedies?

Teething gels usually contain a mild anaesthetic and an antiseptic, which work together to ease pain and prevent infection. A small amount rubbed on to the sore gum with a clean finger or cotton wool pad can numb your baby’s pain for a short time.

However, the effect wears off quickly and often the gel is washed away immediately by your baby’s tongue and saliva. There’s not much hard evidence that teething gels are effective (NICE 2014), although plenty of parents say they help relieve their baby’s discomfort.

If you opt for one, choose one that’s sugar-free and specifically made for babies. Follow the instructions on the pack (NICE 2014) and don’t be tempted to apply more than the instructions advise. If your baby is younger than two months, check with your doctor or pharmacist before using teething gels or other remedies (NHS 2016b).

Some parents like to use homeopathic or herbal teething granules or powders. These come in small sachets that you pour into your baby’s mouth or mix with cooled, boiled water to give to your baby as a drink.

There’s no evidence that these remedies work (Markman 2009, NICE 2014), but some mums swear by them. Check that the brand you are buying is sugar-free. Sugar is a cause of tooth decay, so you don’t want to be covering your baby’s emerging tooth buds in sugar.

In parts of Europe, many babies wear amber necklaces, anklets or bracelets to relieve teething pain. It’s thought that the amber releases a tiny amount of pain-relieving oil onto the skin.

Again, there’s no evidence to back this up, but some parents do claim it helps (Markman 2009). However, if your baby wears any kind of jewellery, there’s a risk of strangling if a necklace gets caught on something or choking if your baby accidentally swallows a bead. If your baby does wear an amber necklace or bracelet, don’t let them suck or chew the beads (Markman 2009).

Can I give my baby infant paracetamol?

Yes, you can give your baby infant paracetamol or infant ibuprofen (NHS 2017a). Don’t give both together, and don’t keep switching between the two, unless advised by a doctor (NHS2017b). Check the dosage information on the packet or ask your doctor or pharmacist if you’re unsure how much to give your baby.

It’s worth checking whether something else is upsetting your baby before giving them medication. Ear infections can sometimes be mistaken for teething (NICE 2014).

Teething can make your baby feel out of sorts and make their gums sore, but it doesn’t make them really ill. So if your baby is unwell or has a fever, take them to the doctor.

How long will teething last?

There’s no set date when your baby’s first tooth will arrive. Most babies start teething at around six months, but it can happen at any time. Some babies are born with a tooth, whereas others have to wait until after their first birthday (NHS 2016a). However, it’s likely that your little one should have all their milk teeth by the time they’re three years old.

Girls often get their teeth slightly earlier than boys. Your baby is likely to get around one new tooth a month between six months and 30 months of age (Markman 2009). So that’s quite a bit of time spent teething over two years!

If you think your little one may be pushing out their first tooth, check out our pictures of teething symptoms, or watch a quick video to get even more tips on easing the distress of teething.

References

BNF for Children. 2018. Emollients. British National Formulary for Children

Markman L. 2009. Teething: facts and fiction. Pediatr Rev 30(8):e59-64

NHS. 2016a. Baby teething symptoms. NHS Choices, Health A-Z.

NHS. 2016b. Tips for helping your teething baby. NHS Choices, Health A-Z.

NHS. 2017a. Medicines for babies and children. NHS Choices, Health A-Z

NHS. 2017b. Can I give my child paracetamol and ibuprofen at the same time? NHS Choices, Common Health Questions

NICE. 2014. Teething. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, Clinical Knowledge Summaries

Welcoming Your Baby’s First Tooth

Welcoming Your Baby’s First Tooth | TYLENOL®
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When do babies get their first tooth?

Most babies usually get their first tooth between 4 and 7 months, but every baby is different. A few may not even get their first tooth until after their first birthday. Most toddlers have a full set of 20 teeth by the time they’re 3 years old.

Some signs your child may be teething

A teething baby may be a little fussy from discomfort.

It’s normal. Teeth are pushing through gums, after all.

The saliva helps soothe inflamed gums.

Wanting to chew on hard things

They’re trying to relieve pressure on the gums.

Having puffy, sore gums around lumps that feel hard to the touch

Be careful – old wives’ tales say that rubbing liquor on gums can numb them, but it can be harmful.

Experiencing a slight teething fever

A low-grade fever with teething is common, but a high fever over 101°F and diarrhea are not.*

*If your baby has either one, call your pediatrician.

Some tips for soothing sore gums

Pressure works

Gently rub your baby’s gums with a clean finger, or offer a teething ring/pacifier made of firm rubber.

Keep things cool

Chill a teething ring, pacifier or wet washcloth – but don’t fully freeze it. Anything too hard can damage your child’s delicate gums. You can also give your child cool, soft foods like applesauce or yogurt if he/she is eating solids.

What to avoid

Avoid rub-on teething gels or liquids for babies less than 2 years old. Many contain benzocaine, an ingredient that can cause dangerous side effects in young babies. Stay away from liquid-filled teething rings, as they may burst. Last, never tie a teething ring around your baby’s neck for easy access.

Keep your baby comfortable

Try a pain medicine containing acetaminophen – such as Infants’ TYLENOL® – to ease pain from teething and fever if your baby is uncomfortable.

If you have any questions, talk to your pediatrician.

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Teething Or Sick: How To Tell In Your Baby

Teething can cause your baby to be cranky and uncomfortable. Drooling, swollen or puffy gums, fussiness and crankiness are tell-tale signs for many infants who are teething.

But how best can a parent help their child, and when should they be concerned that their child may be sick instead?

Franciscan Physician Network pediatrician Aubrey Bonhivert, MD, answers common questions about teething in infants and whether teething does cause a fever.

Why Do Babies’ Temperatures Rise When Teething?

Researchers in 2016 challenged that the belief that teething causes fevers and other symptoms of illnesses in infants and young children. Reviewing studies from eight countries, researchers concluded that teething may cause babies to be warmer than normal, but that the rise in temperature wasn’t actually a fever.

“Teething is commonly reported to be associated with a rise in temperature, but not true fevers,” Dr. Bonhivert explained. “Temperatures associated with teething are usually 99 to 100 degrees. A fever is a temperature of 100.4 or higher.”

Does Teething Cause Fevers?

Teething does not cause colds, rashes, diarrhea or fever.

“Fever related to illness will be over 100.4 and often associated with other symptoms (with these other symptoms depending on the type of illness)-such as runny nose, cough, poor feeding, vomiting, diarrhea or rash,” Dr. Bonhivert said. “Depending on the severity of these symptoms, how long they have been going on, and the height of the fever, your baby may need to be seen by a healthcare provider. If you are not sure whether your baby needs to be seen or not, call your pediatrician’s office. Your baby should definitely be seen if any of the following are present: persistent temperatures over 101, refusal to drink, frequent vomiting, wheezing or labored breathing, or rash associated with a fever.”

“If the temperature remains below 100.4 and baby also has other classic symptoms of teething (drooling, irritability, gum irritation), it is fair to assume these symptoms are teething-related. However, if the temperature gets over 100.4, this is considered a fever and should not be attributed to teething alone.”

What Are Common Teething Symptoms?

Symptoms of teething babies often include:

• Fussiness
• Trouble sleeping
• Irritability
• Loss of appetite
• Irritated gums
• Drooling more than usual

How Can I Soothe My Teething Baby?

“The best way to treat teething discomfort is with chew toys, cold items and massage,” Dr. Bonhivert said.

Parents can put a wet twisted washcloth in the freezer, and then use this to massage baby’s gums or allow baby to chew on it. Other options to soothe a teething baby’s discomfort include:

• Solid teething rings – Skip the liquid-filled rings, as there’s a chance that sharp teeth could puncture these and release the liquid, which may contain bacteria.
• Chewy toys – Try ones made of silicone or latex instead of plastic, which may contain potentially harmful chemicals.
• A clean finger

Older infants may also benefit from:

• A frozen banana or berries – These are an option once you’ve introduced solids.
• A sippy cup of cool water – This is a good choice once your baby is older than 6 to 9 months.

“Teething necklaces are choking and strangulation hazards, and the FDA warns against them.”

What Medicines Can I Give My Teething Baby?

Gels, teething tablets and other items are often sold to soothe teething infants, but they may not be as helpful as you think.

Teething gels may not be helpful as they are quickly washed off with excessive drooling. This may shorten the effect of the gels.

Additionally, some ingredients are not recommended for infants and toddlers.

“Teething tablets that contain belladonna and numbing gels with benzocaine are not recommended,” Dr. Bonhivert said. “The FDA has issued warnings against both of these ingredients due to side effects. ”

If your teething baby is clearly very uncomfortable despite trying other measures, you can give a dose of acetaminophen (Tylenol) according to your pediatrician’s recommendations.

Breastfeeding and teething – La Leche League GB

When it comes to teething, all babies are different: a very few are born with teeth already erupted through their gums, while others may reach their first birthday without any.  In general, most babies will have that first little flash of white in their gums by six months old, and by two years old she may well have sixteen teeth. In the six months after that, the final four big back teeth often called “two year molars” will probably emerge.

Signs of teething

Dealing with teething pain

How teething may affect breastfeeding

Signs of teething

Many parents find that teething symptoms are worst in the period before a tooth actually emerges, while it is working its way up through the baby’s gum. Some of the signs that parents report include:

• Changes in the way a baby latches on to the breast: feeding your baby may start to be uncomfortable, or she may change the position of her mouth or head, or her latch may just feel a bit different
• Dribbling: your baby is suddenly drooling all the time, and you may find yourself needing to change her bib or top several times a day
• Redness and rash: your baby’s cheeks may be flushed bright red, and she may have a red rash around her mouth and chin
• Loose stools: your baby’s poo may seem runnier than usual, it may seem to irritate her skin more than usual if she isn’t changed immediately, and she may develop nappy rash
• Biting and chewing: you might notice that your baby is chewing her fingers or fist; all young babies put objects into their mouths as a way of exploring them, but you may feel that your baby is chewing his toys with more determination than usual
• Night waking: any pain or discomfort can disrupt your baby’s usual sleep pattern
• Slightly raised temperature: some parents have said that their babies run a low-level fever at the point when a new tooth actually comes through the gum, warmer than usual but not hot enough to cause serious concern.

Warning! Some of the symptoms listed above can also be signs of illness. If your baby has diarrhoea or a fever, or you are worried about his health, please seek medical advice.

Dealing with teething pain

Specially designed teething toys can give your baby some relief from the discomfort in his gums. Look out for toys with plenty of surface texture, or little bumps or projections to chew on. Some teething rings are filled with water and can be kept in the fridge or freezer until they are needed. You don’t have to use specially designed toys, though: many babies enjoy chewing a flannel that has been run under a cold tap and then wrung out, especially if it has been kept in the fridge to cool down. You can also try massaging the sore spot on your baby’s gums with your finger, if he seems to enjoy it. A baby who is cutting teeth further back in the mouth might like to have a toothbrush or similarly-shaped toy to chew on; you can buy a “first toothbrush” without bristles if you are concerned about your baby chewing them off.

If your baby is eating solids, you can give him hard foods to chew on, like fingers of apple or carrot. Be aware that once your baby has actually cut a tooth, even the tip of it can be sharp enough to break a chunk off something like a raw carrot, so supervise him carefully and use your judgement about appropriate foods to offer. You could try freezing foods, such as fingers of banana, or freeze plain unsweetened yogurt into lollies (either use small lolly moulds, or place small spoonfuls onto a tray in the freezer with a lolly stick or baby’s spoon in each one).

Don’t forget that breastfeeding can be really soothing for a baby who is unhappy or in pain. Occasionally a well-meaning person might advise a breastfeeding mother that a baby should be weaned from the breast when his first tooth comes through, but this simply isn’t necessary. The World Health Organisation recommends breastfeeding for at least the first two years of a baby’s life; mothers around the world have happily breastfed their babies through teething, and even up to the age when the permanent teeth emerge.

How teething may affect breastfeeding

Latch: Sore or swollen gums, or the presence of new teeth at the front of your baby’s mouth, may affect the way that she latches on to breastfeed. You may find it helpful to experiment with different feeding positions to find one that is comfortable for both of you. This is also a good time to keep an eye on your baby’s latch: make sure he is opening his mouth wide to latch on, ideally with his tongue visible above his lower teeth, and that he is latching deeply onto your breast .  If sore gums are interfering with feeding, try some of the tips above for addressing the pain immediately before feeding. Be careful about using anything frozen, or any purchased teething remedy that numbs your baby’s mouth, immediately before feeding, as the numbness can affect his ability to latch correctly.

Biting: Sometimes a baby who has been dealing with teething pain by biting anything he can get hold of may experiment with doing the same thing to his mother’s breast. For some ideas on how to respond to biting, see this page.  It is important to bear in mind that when a baby is correctly latched on to breastfeed, her tongue covers her lower teeth, so it should be impossible for her to bite you while actively feeding without biting her own tongue. A newly-emerged tooth is very sharp, in order to help it cut through the gum, so you may get a scratch from it during feeding. If your nipple is sore because of a bite or scratch, try using a different feeding position next time so that your baby’s teeth don’t touch the sore spot, and treat between feeds with pure lanolin or a hydrogel pad if necessary.

Frequency of feeding: You may already have discovered that breastfeeding can be a brilliant way of soothing your baby if she is unhappy, or in pain: after vaccinations or during illness, for example. If your baby is suffering with teething pain, she may ask to feed more often, possibly for quite short periods each time. If you are happy to feed her as often as she wants, then it can really help both of you to get through this tricky time. But if your baby’s teething is making it uncomfortable to feed her, you may not feel like offering the breast every time she asks for it. You can use the suggestions above to address problems with latching and biting, and you can experiment with other ways of distracting her from the pain. Mothers over the years have tried many things, and common tricks include carrying your baby, taking her for a walk outside, dancing with her, singing to her, giving her a warm bath, and anything else that you have found that works for her.

Dealing with dribble: It seems to be common for a teething baby’s dribble to irritate his skin. Make sure you keep him dry and clean, by gently washing or wiping his chin. You may want to do this immediately before offering him the breast, so that his dribble doesn’t irritate your skin too.

Written by Emma Taylor for LLLGB, 2017

The Truth About Teething and All Those Remedies

Teething causes some troubles with little ones — just not nearly as many as you think. Use this guide to keep your baby happy and healthy until they have a full, toothy smile.

Posted
by Featured Provider Daniel Pelzer on Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Your precious little girl is extra cranky? It must be teething.

Your baby boy has a fever? It’s got to be his teeth.

Sleepless night? Teething strikes again.

Teething gets blamed for everything. The truth is that it produces only a few mild symptoms. And the best you can do is provide relief until your child has a full set of baby teeth.

Most symptoms blamed on teething are actually something else.

“A lot of things get blamed on teething even though they aren’t necessarily related. The symptoms are rather non-specific and affect children in multiple ways,” says Daniel Pelzer, MD, pediatrician at The Iowa Clinic’s West Des Moines Campus. “We most frequently see a little bit of irritation, perhaps a couple of days worth, a lot more mucus and oral secretions and maybe some bedtime fussiness. Runnier stools as that mucus makes its way through are also common.”

Notably absent from that list: fever. That’s the number one thing blamed on teething, but it’s much more likely an infection causing your infant to burn up rather than any inflammation from a couple of incisors coming in.

“Anything above 100.4 degrees, fever stage, is likely related to something else. The largest studies on teething suggest that fussiness and increased mucus secretions can be blamed on teething, but fever is likely related to an age-appropriate infection like a cold or a cough,” Dr. Pelzer says.

Only a few teething remedies are recommended by pediatricians.

It could be more painful for babies, but cutting teeth is at least mildly uncomfortable. As children get older, they may vocalize their discomfort or show noticeable signs by doing something to calm it like tugging at an ear or applying pressure to their face on the side where a tooth is coming in.

Teething is probably a lot more painful for the parents. It’s your job to care for your child and you can’t stand to see them experience any amount of pain. That desire to keep baby happy and pain-free can lead to some unproven products in your search for teething relief.

Teething Remedies to Avoid

There are a lot of products out there promising relief for your little ones. They might claim to be more natural, ease inflammation, reduce pain or carry other unproven mystical properties. Avoid them at all costs, Dr. Pelzer says, because they could be dangerous.

• Teething necklaces — “Whenever I see one of these, I tell parents to take it off because it’s very dangerous. They are NOT effective and pose a risk of choking and strangulation,” he says. Necklaces made of amber, wood, silicone or marble have become a popular teething remedy, claiming to control drooling, release pain-relieving substances that are absorbed through the skin and reduce inflammation in the ears, throat, stomach and respiratory system. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned in December 2018 that there is no scientific evidence to support these claims.
• Topical pain relievers — Parents often rub natural or chemical solutions onto the teeth or gums to relieve pain. Dr. Pelzer says topical analgesics have never been proven to be helpful and run the risk of poisoning your child or worse. Products with Benzocaine, like Baby Orajel, were ordered by the FDA in 2018 to be taken off the market for the risk they pose to infants.
• Teething tablets — Homeopathic teething tablets come with a similar warning, with many products known to give babies seizures. They provide only short term relief while putting potentially unsafe toxins directly into your baby’s mouth.
• Teething snacks — Cookies, biscuits or healthier options like frozen fruit sound like a better option. But pediatric dentists disagree. These snacks leave a residue on your baby’s teeth, which causes tooth decay, and are a choking hazard.

Teething Remedies You Can Trust

The latest new teething products get all the buzz. But the best ways to relieve the pain and discomfort of teething are much simpler and are probably already in your home.

• Cold washcloths — “It’s the primary thing we recommend,” says Dr. Pelzer. “Washcloths and anything else that can be cooled off in the refrigerator to provide topical relief — the experts say it’s the most effective.”
• Teething rings and toys — Simple rubber teething toys, especially ones that can be cooled, can provide a little bit of relief to teething discomfort. As long as it’s large enough that your baby can’t put the whole toy in his or her mouth, it’s okay. Avoid the ones filled with liquid though. They can get too hard in the freezer and bruise your baby’s sensitive gums.
• Teething necklaces for mom — Those chunky, rubbery necklaces you wear are also okay. They don’t present the same dangers of strangulation. And if your child is close enough to chew on your necklace, they are being actively monitored.
• Baby Tylenol — “If sleep is disrupted or you feel your child is in pain, then you can use Tylenol,” Dr. Pelzer says. Make sure your child is the right age and weight before administering pain relief by checking the dosage chart for a variety of Tylenol products.

Babies typically start teething at six months.

Parents often start asking about teething when their baby hits two months old, Dr. Pelzer says. While it’s possible for a child to get their first teeth this early, for most babies teething doesn’t start until they hit their half-birthday.

“At about two months, parents notice a lot more mucus production. It’s a common age for children’s salivary glands to begin to overproduce mucus,” he says. “You see a lot more drooling and soaked bibs, but it’s almost never teething at that early age. “

At the six-month mark, look for the signs of baby’s first teeth. The gums might be swollen or have a bluish-red bump. You’ll see a speck of white as the tooth breaks through the gums. If you see nothing at six months, don’t worry.

“Some children are on the earlier side and some are later. It’s a different time for every child,” Dr. Pelzer says. “A lot of it depends on genetics and other things you can’t control.”

It’s possible for an infant to not have any teeth until 15 or 18 months. And boys typically get their teeth later than girls. But in general, most kids fit somewhere into this teething schedule.

Baby Teething Chart

Age	Teeth
4 to 7 months	The central incisors, the front lower teeth, are the first to come in.
8 to 12 months	The two central incisors on the top sprout up next.
9 to 16 months	The teeth to the sides of the front teeth, the lateral incisors follow. Usually, the top ones come in first.
13 to 19 months	The first molars arrive, typically on the top.
16 to 23 months	The canines, the sharp, pointy teeth at the front of the mouth, come in.
2 to 3 years	The second molars fill in giving your child a full set of 20 baby teeth.

Three years sounds like a long time to be struggling with a teething child. You will not have to deal with sleep disruptions and fussiness that long, Dr. Pelzer says. The symptoms of teething subside with age. Older children don’t typically complain about their gums hurting, even if they are experiencing some discomfort.

Talk to your pediatrician if teething symptoms don’t subside.

Long-term fussiness, sleep issues and a constant stream of snot are all reasons for a visit to the pediatrician’s office. Fever and difficulty breathing that you may have thought were related to teething are also cues for a call to the doctor.

“Fever and breathing difficulties, those are reasons across the board and not just with teething. Difficulty breathing can be related to mucus secretions as teething babies are not yet adept at coughing and clearing their airway,” Dr. Pelzer says.

As long as teething doesn’t affect daytime activities or your child’s overall happiness for an extended period of time, pediatricians let teething run its course, he adds. And you should too. Soothing sore gums and watching for larger concerns is all you can do until your child has their full set of baby teeth.

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Daniel Pelzer, MD has been practicing as a board-certified pediatrician in the Des Moines area since 2015. He received his medical degree from the University of Iowa and completed his residency at the University of Iowa Stead Family Department of Pediatrics.

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How to Tell When Your Baby is Teething and What to Do

If you’re a parent, you probably know that teething can be uncomfortable—for you and baby. But knowing what symptoms to look for—and when to look for them—can help you choose the right remedies to soothe baby’s gums and ease his pain.

Does this sound familiar?

You’re starting to get the hang of this baby thing. Your feeding and diapering routines have machine-like efficiency, and you’re finally sleeping for longer than four hours at a time. Then, baby starts teething.

When your baby is refusing to eat or nap and seems fussier than normal, teething may be to blame. Then again, there may be another issue at play, and when baby’s behavior seems to change overnight, it can be hard to determine the cause.

Teething happens for most infants between four- and twelve-months-old. Usually, the process is only mildly uncomfortable, but some infants have more discomfort than others. There may be drooling, nonstop crying, irritability, and even a refusal of milk and naps.

Teething (particularly the need for baby to chew on hard objects) may have an evolutionary purpose, as it primes baby’s mouth for ongoing oral development and prepares the jaw for erupting teeth. So despite the frustration you and baby may feel, it’s critical that you support this process to ensure that his teeth, mouth, and jaw grow correctly. (And, of course, getting him out of pain is important, too.)

This post is designed to help you understand whether your baby is, in fact, teething, what to expect during the process, and what you can do to ease your baby’s discomfort.

There are lots of teething remedies out there, including amber and silicone teething necklaces, chewing toys, biscuits, and medications. With that in mind, this article will also explain which treatments are safe and effective, which ones you should avoid, and which remedies help promote the proper development that will help your baby grow into a child (and, later, an adult) with straight teeth and correct facial growth.

Disclosure:

Ask the Dentist is supported by readers. If you use one of the links below and buy something, Ask the Dentist makes a little bit of money at no additional cost to you. I rigorously research, test, and use thousands of products every year, but recommend only a small fraction of these. I only promote products that I truly feel will be valuable to you in improving your oral health.

What is teething?

While infants seem to be born with no teeth, they actually have a full set of baby teeth sitting just under their gums. Teething is the process through which those teeth cut, or break through, and become visible above the gum line.

By the time your little one is three years old, he should have a full set of 20 teeth. (Then, later in childhood, those baby teeth will begin to fall out and be replaced by permanent teeth.)

During teething, baby teeth break through the gums in stages. The order teeth appear is generally similar for most babies and typically starts with the bottom teeth. Sometimes teeth appear out of order, however, but this is not generally cause for concern. (1) In more rare cases, some babies will even be born with a tooth or two.

Simply put, a wide variety of teething experiences still fall within the range of healthy and normal.

When does teething start and end?

The age babies start teething is genetic—if you got your first teeth early, chances are your baby will, too. (2)

As mentioned, the first teeth to push through will generally be the bottom central incisors around 4-7 months of age, followed by the top central incisors, which erupt around between 8-12 months.

Central incisors are commonly known as “front teeth.” The upper lateral incisors, which are the teeth flanking the central incisors, generally start to appear around 9-13 months, followed by the lower lateral incisors around 10-16 months.

Your child’s first molars will come in next, starting with the upper first molars around 13-19 months. The lower first molars follow, typically around 14-18 months.

The upper canines, also called cuspids, emerge as your baby becomes a toddler, around 16-22 months. The lower canines follow shortly after, around 17-23 months.  Canines are named for their resemblance to a dog’s fang, although they can also appear more flattened.

Around 25-33 months, the upper second molars emerge. Their appearance typically signals the end of your baby’s teething process.

Again, these are general guidelines, and your baby’s teething process may be different. However, if your child hasn’t had any tooth eruptions by 18 months, consult a dentist or doctor.

What are teething symptoms?

While some babies have no symptoms, others may experience one or more of the following:

• • Loss of appetite: Your baby may not want to eat as much as normal, due to inflamed gums.
  • Drooling: Babies frequently drool, but with teething you may see more than normal.
  • Sore and tender gums
  • Gnawing on solid objects: When teething, your baby may want to put his mouth on everything in sight to soothe his sore gums. So this is a good time to be especially careful about leaving objects around that aren’t safe.
  • Mild fussiness and crankiness: Your baby may be more irritable than normal. He is experiencing discomfort without understanding the cause, so it’s normal for him to feel upset.
  • Red and swollen gums: The visible signs of inflammation may allow to quickly see that baby is teething

What symptoms are probably not related to teething?

Teething may cause discomfort, but it is unlikely to cause excessive crying. Additionally, while your baby may be more fussy than usual during the day, he shouldn’t have any sleep problems as a result of teething.

Additionally—and despite pervasive rumors to the contrary—teething does not cause a runny nose, diarrhea, a fever, or diaper rash. (3) However, the small openings in your baby’s gums may make it easier for your baby to contract a virus that may cause a cold or illness.

Please remember that if your child looks or acts very sick, it’s important to visit a doctor. The symptoms of teething should be mild.

How can I ease teething discomfort?

Discomfort while teething is completely normal, but there are steps you can take to help your baby through the process.

A gum massage is one of the safest, easiest, and best remedies for teething. Try rubbing your babies gums with a clean finger, a washcloth, or a gum-rubbing finger pad.  You can also try rubbing your baby’s gums with a cold spoon or moist gauze.

Cold food like chilled applesauce or pureed fruit may soother sore gums.

Teething biscuits may provide relief for sore gums, but I don’t recommend them, as they are a processed that is high in carbohydrates. If you want to give your baby an edible teether, I recommend filling a mesh feeder with chopped apples or other fruit. This will keep baby’s oral microbiome balances and minimize the risk of decay.

The best teething rings and toys

Teething rings are a tried-and-true teething remedy, as chewing action puts pressure on the gums that provides relief. Chilling the ring in the fridge may provide additional relief, but you should never freeze the ring. If frozen, the ring may break in your baby’s mouth or cause pain from being too rigid.

Keep in mind, though, that not all teething rings are created equal.

Be sure to look for rings that are made of solid, BPA-free plastic. BPA may be toxic and can cause developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune system issues, as well as other concerns. Meanwhile, liquid- or gel-filled rings can chemicals that could be dangerous if the ring is broken.

I actually recommend wood teething toys instead of plastic teething rings because their firmness promotes proper chewing and facial development, and there’s none of the toxic risk. My granddaughter loves this wooden rattle by Homi Baby. It’s small enough for her to grab and is also sealed with organic virgin coconut oil, which is safe for babies.

Despite their growing popularity, you should avoid teething bracelets and necklaces designed for baby to wear. They are typically made from a material that is too soft to benefit oral development and prepare the jaw for erupting teeth, and the American Academy of Pediatrics has already issued strangulation and choking warnings. (4)

Other natural teething remedies

For parents who prefer herbal or all-natural teething remedies, rosehip, chamomile, or clove can be boiled into a tea, chilled, and then put on a washcloth to rub across baby’s gums.

And when nothing else works, distraction is a time-honored parenting technique. A favorite toy can take your baby’s mind off the discomfort, as can a movie or having a favorite book read to him.

Catharine, Dr. Burhenne’s daughter, shares her favorite teething distraction tip: When our 11-month-old is teething, the best thing we can do is take her for a walk around the block. Something about the fresh air and new scenery distracts her enough from teething pain and gives her a good “reset” when nothing else seems to work.

Teething is a normal and natural process that, hopefully, shouldn’t be too disruptive to your baby’s life (or yours). Some babies have no teething symptoms, but if they do, they typically pass in within a week. Symptoms can show up a few days before a tooth begins to sprout, and generally ease within a few days after the tooth appears.

What teething remedies should be avoided?

The FDA recommends avoiding benzocaine products—which includes many teething gels—for children under two years of age. These gels can sometimes cause a condition can methemoglobinemia, which can greatly reduce the amount of oxygen to a baby’s blood, resulting in serious medical conditions and sometimes even death. (5) While this condition is rare, it’s better to steer clear of teething gels all together.

Painkillers, while not as dangerous as teething gels, should be used extremely rarely. If baby is extremely uncomfortable and you decide to use them, be sure you choose a product developed specifically for children, and never exceed the recommended dosage.

Finally, while parents of yore often rubbed brandy or other liquors on their child’s gums to numb them, this isn’t safe.  Even the smallest amount of alcohol can be dangerous for a child.

How do I care for my baby’s new teeth?

Although your child won’t have his baby teeth, also known as primary teeth, forever, it’s important to care for them.

Your child should have first regular dental appointment after his first tooth comes in, or no later than one year old.

And since decay can occur as soon as teeth appear, it’s important to start caring for your child’s teeth as soon as they arrive. Initially, just wiping baby’s teeth with a washcloth will keep them clean. Be sure to do this after every feeding, and never send baby to bed with a bottle, as it can lead to baby bottle tooth decay.

As baby gets older and has more teeth, you may want to purchase a small, baby toothbrush with very soft bristles.

Baby Buddy Brilliant Baby Toothbrush

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Then, before you know it, your child will have his first adult teeth, which should come in around 6-7 years of age. (6) While the process of gaining adult teeth can sometimes be uncomfortable as well, at this stage, you and your child can discuss the tooth eruption process.

Final thoughts on teething

If you’re reading this article, you’ve probably got a pretty fussy and difficult baby on your hands. Know that teething does pass and your baby will return to her normal self.

To summarize:

• Use a wooden teething toy and teething biscuits to satisfy baby’s desire to chew
• Stay away from teething medications and numbing gels
• Distract baby
• Get some help from a loved one to babysit. Dealing with a teething baby is hard work and you deserve a break, and a new person is a great distraction for baby!

Learn More: The Best All-Natural Teething Remedies

When Should I Be Concerned About Baby Not Having Teeth?

New parents are always excited for all the “firsts” in their child’s life. The first time your baby smiles, laughs or rolls over on their own are all amazing milestones in your child’s development. But among all the firsts, the eruption of baby teeth isn’t always an easy transition. In fact, many experienced parents do not look forward to this time. Teething can bring with it fevers and an achy, crabby baby. But what if your child’s teething hasn’t begun yet? Well, not to worry, some babies take a little extra time to start the teething process.

To schedule an appointment with a pediatric dentist in Muscatine,
call (563) 607-5979 today

Is It Normal for a 1-Year-Old to Have No Teeth?

The simplest answer is yes, and no. Human variation is vast and means that some babies will get teeth early and might even be born with one or two. But some babies will get their teeth much much later than their peers. Babies are actually born with all their teeth partially formed below the gumline. However, in some infants it just takes a little longer for those pearly whites to make an appearance. This can be very normal. Just because your baby isn’t chomping down on a teething ring just yet, doesn’t necessarily mean that anything is wrong.

How Late Can Baby Teeth Come In?

The average time for infant tooth eruption is between the ages of 4 and 15 months. Typically, babies have the two bottom front teeth erupt first, then four white buds will appear on the center from top gums. Over a period of a few months, two teeth will erupt on either side of the top gums, followed by the bottom gums. Most children tend to follow this pattern, though there is variation in this process. By the time the child is three, they should have a toothy grin of 20 teeth. Permanent adult teeth will start to come in around the age of five or six.

Related: Is fluoride bad for you?

When Should I Be Concerned About Baby Not Having Teeth?

There are many reasons that a child might have a delay in tooth eruption. In fact, most parents will not have to even think about the exact timing of their children’s teething schedules. However, if your child is 18 months or older and has not had any teeth erupt from their gums, it’s a good idea to make an appointment for your child at the dentist. Baby teeth are important for many reasons. At around 6 months of age babies are generally introduced to solid foods, and baby teeth are an important part of learning how to chew and enjoy food properly at later feeding stages. This is why it’s important to find out if your child’s late tooth eruption is of serious concern.

Related: How often should I take my kid to a children’s dentist?

What Causes Delays in Tooth Eruption?

There are a few factors that dentists have discovered may lead to a child having later than typical tooth eruption.

• Extra Teeth (Supernumerary Teeth)
• Premature Birth
• Low Birth Weight
• Family Traits
• Nutrient Deficiency
• Genetic Abnormalities

If you have any concerns about the late arrival of your baby’s teeth, be sure to make an appointment with a highly regarded dentist in your area. Delayed tooth eruption, while generally not something to worry about, can lead to dental problems later in life. A professional dentist will be the most knowledgeable about the many reasons for late tooth eruption in infants. It’s best to find out from a licensed dental specialist if you should have any cause for your concern. Taking care of your children’s teeth really does start in infancy. Finding the right dentist to partner with you to help your child’s dental health should start early as well.

90,000 How to relieve a child’s pain when their teeth are teething?

Unpleasant sensations can spoil the mood of the baby for a long time, therefore it is necessary to maintain his positive emotions
Photo: pixabay.com

The emergence of teeth is a test for a child, so it is important to help him.

The first teeth begin to appear on average at the age of 4-8 months, however, they may begin to cut in 2-3 months, or they may be “late” and appear by one year, this is individual and not related to physical or mental development.

The beginning of the process of the appearance of the first tooth is usually characterized by one or more symptoms:

• Temperature rise
• Increased salivation
• Redness or swelling of the gums
• Lack of appetite
• Diarrhea
• Runny nose
• Cough
• Violation of the daily routine

To support the child in this stressful situation requires frequent body contact, motion sickness, gentle touching and a calm voice.Babies pick up intonations, so they should not be nervous or anxious.

Special silicone teethers can help relieve pain, which can be additionally placed in the refrigerator so that the child feels a cooling effect that will reduce swelling and pain.

Massage of the gums also has a relieving effect. To do this, you can use silicone fingertips with bristles or pimples. In the absence of this, the index finger will also do, the main thing is to thoroughly disinfect it.

There are also special dental products designed specifically to facilitate teething. You can buy these at the pharmacy, and the pediatrician will help you choose.

Source: MedicForum.

90,000 7 questions about changing baby teeth. Family dental clinic “Elephantic”

7 questions about changing milk teeth

Parents are worried when a child has no teeth for a long time, and then when they appear.They worry if they are few or, conversely, too many. We collected the most important questions about the timing of changing milk teeth to permanent ones, as well as about possible deviations from the norm, and asked them to the winner of the competition for children’s dentists in Russia, Yulia Selyutina.

1. What to do after a child’s milk tooth has fallen out – is it necessary to somehow stop the blood?
Nothing special needs to be done. After the tooth has fallen out, a blood clot forms in the socket for about 5 minutes. It promotes rapid wound healing.But you don’t need to treat it with ointments or heat your cheek. It is also important not to rinse your mouth with anything, otherwise the clot can be accidentally removed – and then healing will take longer.

By the way, just in order for this clot to form, the doctor, after tooth extraction, applies a sterile gauze swab to the wound. It must be kept in the mouth until the bleeding stops.

Some children, after a tooth loss, all the time “check” the hole with their tongue. There is nothing wrong with that. But make sure that they do not drag foreign objects into their mouths.
After the tooth has fallen out, it is better not to eat anything for an hour. You can give the child a drink, but not hot. And it is advisable not to chew or bite off the food for a couple of days with the side that has “lost” the tooth. The rest of the teeth should be brushed, as usual, with a toothpaste and a brush, morning and evening.

2. Tested remedy: baby tooth is loose – tie a string to it and pull. Does it always work?
The milk tooth begins to wobble due to the fact that its roots are absorbed. This is a natural process and in most cases the rope method can be used.Of course, provided that the child himself is not afraid to part with the tooth in this way.

In addition, not all teeth are so mobile that they could be removed with a regular thread. In some cases, additional effort may be required.

If the baby tooth is mobile, and the child is not averse to loosening it, it does not hurt him, then he may well remove the tooth in this way. The main thing is that the child’s hands are clean during the “procedure”.

If there is no result for a long time, the loose tooth has not fallen out for two weeks already, it interferes with the child, and he is afraid or does not want to remove it on his own, then it is better to consult a doctor.The doctor will cope with this “one-two”. Sometimes even anesthesia is not required, or it is enough to anoint the gums with anesthetic gel or spray with a spray.

3. Why do baby teeth fall out not on schedule? Is there something wrong with the child?
The timing of the change of deciduous teeth, indicated in all kinds of tables, is conditional and strongly averaged. Deviations in one direction or the other are very common, and this is not a pathology or a sign of a disease.

The main thing that affects the timing of eruption and change of milk teeth is heredity.But the connection between any general somatic diseases and an earlier or later change of milk teeth has not yet been found.

There is an additional research method – orthopantomogram. This is a panoramic view of all the teeth of both jaws at once. Having made it, you can determine the number of all primordia of permanent teeth, understand how the process of resorption of the roots of milk teeth is progressing, and make predictions.

It is not at all necessary to conduct such a study, because it does not affect the timing of tooth replacement.However, an orthopantomogram can reassure parents or indicate a possible problem. For example, the absence of one or more primordia of permanent teeth.

4. The milk tooth fell out, and the permanent one is in no hurry to replace it. When is it time to worry?
There are no critical deadlines. Sometimes you have to wait a long time for a permanent tooth to appear. For example, due to the fact that there is simply no place for him in the child’s jaw.

A permanent tooth may not erupt at all if the child has not formed its primordium.You can take a picture of the area where the tooth should appear and find out what the delay is about.

If the tooth bud has formed and there is enough space in the jaw, be patient. If not, see your orthodontist. He will draw up a treatment plan that the child may need in the future.

5. Almost all of the baby’s teeth were replaced in elementary school. Will his permanent ones fall out faster?
Early change of teeth occurs quite often, it is not a pathology, not a violation of the “norm”.And it certainly does not mean that permanent teeth should fall out, all the more early. Unlike milk teeth, which sooner or later fall out by themselves, we lose permanent teeth for some reason.

For example, due to diseases “periodontitis” or “periodontal disease”. With them, the tissue of the jaw bones dissolves and the ligamentous apparatus of the tooth is destroyed. If this happens, the teeth can become mobile and even fall out. But this practically does not occur in children.

Even if they had “bad” baby teeth, this does not mean at all that there will be problems with permanent ones.It is important to look after them, clean them. Sometimes the use of additional means, for example, an irrigator, is simply necessary even during the period when the teeth are still milk. Ideally, of course, your child’s oral care product should be selected by a dentist.

6. The milk tooth has not yet fallen out, does not even stagger, but the permanent one is already growing behind it. What to do?
I believe that in such a situation, a baby tooth should be removed by a dentist. Then ask your child to try to push the permanent tooth with his tongue in the right direction.Here the help of parents will come in handy. Lubricate your finger with vegetable oil and massage, pushing the tooth in the desired direction. It is enough to devote a couple of minutes a day to such a mini-massage.

7. Is it worth correcting milk bite?
Certainly. Problems with the bite during the period when the child has baby teeth can affect the appearance of pathologies when the permanent teeth erupt. Practice shows that the earlier one starts to deal with this problem, the better the results will be in the distant future.You can begin to engage in correcting or preventing the formation of an incorrect bite when the child turns 5-6 years old and all 20 milk teeth erupt.

© Asya Gasimova

90,000 If a child has a runny nose for a long time

In addition to a cold, a runny nose can have many reasons:

• allergy
• excessively dry and dusty air in the room
• hormonal changes in the body (this reason is more common in adults)
• even a tiny object that accidentally got into the nasal passages
• and others

How long is normal for a cold?

• average duration for a bacterial rhinitis 4-10 days
• medication rhinitis (due to abuse of vasoconstrictor drops) may continue for another 12-16 days or even longer after the drops are discontinued.
• An allergic rhinitis lasts as long as the person is in contact with the allergen. When contact is terminated, it disappears in 1-2 days
• With teething, rhinitis occurs due to pain in the gums and disappears 1-2 days after the pain subsides
• Physiological rhinitis in newborns lasts from 3 weeks to 3 months. It is caused by the baby’s unformed airways.

How to help with a cold?

If a runny nose is accompanied by symptoms of ARVI, our task is to alleviate the symptoms that bother the child, while the body itself copes well with the viral infection.

It is necessary to start with the simplest measures:

1. plentiful warm drink
2. humidifying the air in the room
3. regular ventilation
4. salt solutions can be used
5. regularly blow your nose

So that the nose (and the whole body as a whole) functioned normally, the air humidity in the apartment should be 40-60%. If the air dries up, the nasal mucosa becomes thinner. And the body either catches infections more easily, or starts the process of increased production of snot in order to compensate for the lack of moisture by flowing from the nose.

It is also very important to clean your nose regularly. Measure is important here. Do not blow your nose too actively and do not be delicate.

Do not abuse vasoconstrictor drops. Such funds reduce the lumen of the blood vessels of the nose, due to this, the edema is removed. But the vessels get used to the drug and stop responding to it and weaned to narrow on their own without the drug.

Brine rinsing has no adverse effect. With the help of the solution, allergens and pathogens are removed, the condition of the nasal mucosa is normalized.Coming home from school, kindergarten, a child always brings pathogens and allergens with him, and therefore washing is a good option for prevention.

Have questions? Write to the doctor.

90,000 Teeth are being cut and the child does not eat well or refuses to eat: what to do?

Published: 20.12.2019

Reading time: 2 min.

Number of reads: 21027

The period of teething in children often becomes a test for both babies and their parents. One of the problems encountered at this time is impaired appetite in infants. And then the parents have a natural question: how to feed the child when teeth are being cut.

Contents: Hide

1. Feeding during teething
2. Use a special gum ring
3. Offer slightly chilled food
4. See a doctor
5. Prepare light foods
6. Offer familiar and favorite foods Features
   5

9000 feeding during teething

The tension and discomfort in the gums, which the baby feels, cause changes in eating behavior.He tries to bite and gnaw everything that he can reach with his hands, but at the same time he does not eat well or even turns away from the offered food. If your teething toddler refuses to eat, there are some tricks you can try.

Use a special gum ring

Often tension in the gums is the only reason your baby cannot concentrate on feeding. To help him, offer a cooling gel gum ring 10-15 minutes before feeding.Having calmed down the gums for a while, the baby can eat with appetite.

This advice is also relevant for mothers who are breastfeeding and who are bitten by a teething toddler. Satisfy his “biting need” in advance with a ring – and the feeding will be calmer.

Offer lightly chilled food

Irritation in the gums may increase when the mucous membrane comes into contact with warm food. If your child is teething and doesn’t eat well, offer formula or complementary foods at room temperature, without warming up to the traditional 35–40 ° C.

See a doctor

If teething is difficult, your baby is in pain and does not eat at all, be sure to consult your pediatrician. If necessary, your doctor will prescribe a topical product that cools and nourishes your gums. The effect of such gels and ointments is short-lived, but this time will be enough for the child to have time to distract himself from discomfort and pay attention to food.

Prepare light lures

Make sure that the lures are thoroughly chopped and do not require additional grinding with the gums.The easier and easier for the baby to cope with the proposed dishes, the better he will eat.

Offer familiar and favorite foods

If your baby has no appetite at all, there is no need to force-feed him. Instead, offer cereals, fruit purees, or other foods that your child loves. And, of course, the planned introduction of new products into the baby’s diet should be postponed until another time – when his appetite is restored.