When is the earliest a baby can start teething. Early Teething in Babies: Symptoms, Signs, Fever & Remedies Explained
When can babies start teething. What are the earliest signs of teething. How to distinguish teething symptoms from illness. What remedies can help soothe teething discomfort. Is fever normal during teething.
The Timeline of Teething in Infants
Teething is a significant milestone in a baby’s development, often accompanied by various symptoms that can cause discomfort for the little one and concern for parents. Understanding the teething process and its timeline can help caregivers better prepare for this phase.
When does teething typically begin? The process usually starts between four to eight months of age, with the lower front teeth (central incisors) usually being the first to emerge. However, it’s important to note that the teething timeline can vary significantly among infants.
- 4-8 months: Lower central incisors
- 8-12 months: Upper central incisors
- 9-16 months: Upper and lower lateral incisors
- 13-19 months: First molars
- 16-23 months: Canines
- 23-33 months: Second molars
By the time a child reaches 30-36 months of age, they should have a full set of 20 primary teeth. It’s crucial to remember that this timeline is just a general guide, and some babies may start teething earlier or later than average.
Common Teething Symptoms and Signs
Recognizing teething symptoms can help parents provide timely relief to their infants. According to research published in the British Dental Journal, 70-80% of parents reported observing various teething symptoms in their babies. These symptoms can include:
- Irritability and fussiness
- Disrupted sleep patterns
- Swollen or inflamed gums
- Excessive drooling
- Decreased appetite
- Rash around the mouth
- Mild temperature increase
- Diarrhea
- Increased biting and gum-rubbing
- Ear-rubbing
It’s important to note that not all babies experience the same symptoms or intensity of discomfort during teething. Some infants may sail through the process with minimal issues, while others may experience more pronounced symptoms.
Distinguishing Teething from Illness: A Parental Challenge
One of the challenges parents face is differentiating between teething symptoms and signs of illness. This confusion often arises because teething typically begins around six months of age, coinciding with a crucial period in an infant’s immune system development.
During this time, the maternal antibodies that protected the baby in the early months begin to diminish, and the infant’s own immune system starts to establish itself. This transition period can make babies more susceptible to minor infections, leading to symptoms that may be mistaken for teething.
How can parents distinguish between teething and illness? Here are some key differences:
- Teething rarely causes high fevers (above 101°F or 38.3°C)
- Teething doesn’t typically result in severe or prolonged diarrhea
- Cold and flu symptoms, such as congestion or cough, are not associated with teething
- Teething discomfort is usually intermittent, while illness symptoms tend to persist
If you’re unsure whether your baby’s symptoms are due to teething or illness, it’s always best to consult with your pediatrician for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Soothing Strategies for Teething Discomfort
While teething can be uncomfortable for babies, there are several strategies parents can employ to help alleviate their little one’s discomfort:
1. Cold Therapy
Applying cold to the gums can help numb the area and reduce inflammation. Try these methods:
- Refrigerated teething rings or toys
- Chilled washcloth for the baby to chew on
- Frozen fruit in a mesh feeder (for babies already eating solids)
2. Gum Massage
Gently rubbing your baby’s gums with a clean finger can provide relief from teething pressure. Ensure your hands are thoroughly washed before attempting this method.
3. Over-the-Counter Pain Relief
For severe discomfort, consult your pediatrician about using age-appropriate pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Always follow dosage instructions carefully.
4. Teething Toys
Provide safe, BPA-free teething toys for your baby to chew on. The counter-pressure can help alleviate discomfort.
5. Extra Cuddles and Attention
Sometimes, simple comfort measures like extra cuddles and attention can help distract your baby from teething discomfort.
Teething and Fever: Separating Fact from Fiction
One of the most debated topics surrounding teething is its association with fever. Can teething cause a fever in babies? The answer isn’t straightforward.
While many parents report mild temperature increases during teething, research suggests that high fevers are not a typical teething symptom. A slight increase in body temperature (less than 101°F or 38.3°C) may occur due to the inflammation in the gums or increased physical activity as the baby tries to soothe their discomfort.
However, it’s crucial to note that any fever above 101°F (38.3°C) is unlikely to be caused by teething alone and may indicate an underlying illness. In such cases, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare provider.
When to Seek Medical Attention
While most teething symptoms can be managed at home, there are instances when medical attention is necessary. Contact your pediatrician if:
- Your baby has a fever of 101°F (38.3°C) or higher
- Symptoms persist for more than a few days
- Your baby shows signs of dehydration
- There’s excessive bleeding from the gums
- Your baby seems unusually lethargic or irritable
Oral Hygiene During Teething: Establishing Good Habits Early
The teething phase presents an excellent opportunity to establish good oral hygiene habits for your baby. Even before the first tooth emerges, you can start caring for your baby’s oral health:
- Wipe gums with a soft, damp cloth after feedings
- Once teeth appear, use an infant toothbrush with a smear of fluoride toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice)
- 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
By incorporating these habits early, you’re setting the foundation for a lifetime of good oral health for your child.
Teething Myths Debunked: Separating Fact from Fiction
There are numerous myths and misconceptions surrounding teething. Let’s address some of the most common ones:
Myth 1: Teething causes severe diarrhea
While some babies may experience loose stools during teething, severe or prolonged diarrhea is not a typical teething symptom and may indicate an underlying illness.
Myth 2: Amber teething necklaces provide pain relief
There’s no scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of amber teething necklaces. Moreover, they pose a choking hazard and should be avoided.
Myth 3: Teething causes high fevers
As discussed earlier, high fevers are not typically associated with teething and may indicate an illness requiring medical attention.
Myth 4: Teething causes ear infections
While babies may pull at their ears during teething due to referred pain, teething itself does not cause ear infections.
Myth 5: Early teething indicates advanced development
The timing of teething varies among babies and is not indicative of a child’s intelligence or developmental progress.
Cultural Perspectives on Teething: A Global View
Teething is a universal experience, but cultural beliefs and practices surrounding it vary widely across the globe. Here’s a glimpse into some interesting cultural perspectives on teething:
- In some African cultures, the appearance of lower teeth before upper teeth is considered a sign of good luck.
- In certain parts of India, it’s believed that placing a coin on a teething baby’s head can alleviate discomfort.
- Some Native American tribes have traditionally used wooden teething sticks from specific trees believed to have soothing properties.
- In parts of Europe, it was once common to give teething babies coral necklaces, believing they had pain-relieving properties.
While these cultural practices are interesting, it’s important to prioritize safe, evidence-based methods for managing teething discomfort.
Teething is a significant milestone in a baby’s development, often accompanied by various symptoms that can cause discomfort for the little one and concern for parents. By understanding the process, recognizing the symptoms, and knowing how to provide relief, parents can help their babies navigate this challenging phase more comfortably. Remember, every baby is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. Patience, observation, and consultation with healthcare providers when necessary are key to successfully managing the teething process.
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.
When Will My Baby Get His First Tooth?
Baby’s first tooth may cause discomfort so what can mummy and daddy do for baby?
Teething is an exciting period for mummy and daddy: your little one will soon have his first set of pearly whites!
Most babies get their first tooth at about 6 months old—some get it earlier, some later. In some cases, babies may start sprouting their first tooth as early as 3 months old or as late as 12 months old.
Related:
Help Your Child Smile For Life
When Will Baby’s Teeth Pop?
Ask grandma
Genetics play a big part in teething, so ask grandpa and grandma when your teeth first started popping to get a rough idea when your child’s first tooth might emerge.
Spot the signs
Teething can cause discomfort in your baby, and he may cry more than usual, refuse to eat or experience loss of appetite, be more irritable than usual, or have trouble sleeping at night. Other signs to look out for are swollen, red gums and excessive drooling.
Related:
Guide To Oral Care For Your Toothy Toddler
That Soothing Feeling
Here’s what you can do to reduce teething discomfort:
- Give your little one something to chew on, like teething rings, chilled rubber teething toys, and hard biscuits or rusks. Make sure the rings/toys are clean before passing them to him!
- Gently rub/massage your baby’s gums with clean fingers.
- If nothing helps, consult your pediatrician about children’s acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Avoid buying over-the-counter teething medications without consulting with your doctor first.
Related:
Guide 9: Ready, Steady, Shop
When Will It End?
Babies grow new teeth about every 4 to 6 months, starting from the middle teeth (central incisors) and gradually working their way to the back of the mouth where the molars are. The last baby molar usually emerges by the time your child turns 3.
Your baby may not experience teething pain each time a new tooth erupts—good news for mummy and daddy!
Visit Parent Hub, for more useful tips and guides to give your baby a healthy start.
Download the HealthHub app on
Google Play or
Apple Store to access more health and wellness advice at your fingertips.
This article was last reviewed on
Tuesday, November 15, 2022
Catalog-Item Reuse
Baby’s first tooth may cause discomfort so what can mummy and daddy do for baby?
<div><div><p>Teething is an exciting period for mummy and daddy: your little one will soon have his first set of pearly whites! </p><p>Most babies get their first tooth at about 6 months old—some get it earlier, some later. In some cases, babies may start sprouting their first tooth as early as 3 months old or as late as 12 months old.</p><p>
<strong>Related:
<a href=”https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/1272/growing-kid-help-your-child-smile-for-life” title=”Help Your Child Smile For Life”>Help Your Child Smile For Life</a></strong></p></div><div><h3>When Will Baby’s Teeth Pop?</h3><h4>Ask grandma
</h4><p>Genetics play a big part in teething, so ask grandpa and grandma when your teeth first started popping to get a rough idea when your child’s first tooth might emerge.</p><h4>Spot the signs</h4><p>Teething can cause discomfort in your baby, and he may cry more than usual, refuse to eat or experience loss of appetite, be more irritable than usual, or have trouble sleeping at night. Other signs to look out for are swollen, red gums and excessive drooling. </p><p>
<strong>Related:
<a href=”http://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/2029/guide-to-oral-care-for-toddler” title=”Guide To Oral Care For Your Toothy Toddler”>Guide To Oral Care For Your Toothy Toddler</a></strong></p></div><div><h3>That Soothing Feeling</h3><p>Here’s what you can do to reduce teething discomfort:
</p><ol><li>Give your little one something to chew on, like teething rings, chilled rubber teething toys, and hard biscuits or rusks. Make sure the rings/toys are clean before passing them to him!
</li><li>Gently rub/massage your baby’s gums with clean fingers.</li><li>If nothing helps, consult your pediatrician about children’s acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Avoid buying over-the-counter teething medications without consulting with your doctor first. </li></ol><p>
<strong>Related:
<a href=”https://www. healthhub.sg/live-healthy/1706/guide-9-ready-steady-shop” title=”Guide 9: Ready, Steady, Shop”>Guide 9: Ready, Steady, Shop</a></strong></p></div><div><h3>When Will It End?</h3><p>Babies grow new teeth about every 4 to 6 months, starting from the middle teeth (central incisors) and gradually working their way to the back of the mouth where the molars are. <span>The last baby molar usually emerges by the time your child turns 3.</span> </p><p>Your baby may not experience teething pain each time a new tooth erupts—good news for mummy and daddy!
</p></div><p><a href=”https://www.healthhub.sg/programmes/183/parent-hub/baby-toddler/baby-care”>Visit Parent Hub, for more useful tips and guides to give your baby a healthy start.</a></p><p><em>Download the HealthHub app on
<a href=”https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=sg. gov.hpb.healthhub&hl=en_SG” target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow”>Google Play</a> or
<a href=”https://itunes.apple.com/sg/app/healthhub-sg/id1034200875?mt=8″ target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow”>Apple Store</a> to access more health and wellness advice at your fingertips.</em>
</p>
<div><hr /><p>
<strong>Read these next:</strong></p><ul><li>
<a href=”https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/1659/7-reasons-why-your-babys-crying” title=”7 Reasons Why Your Baby’s Crying”>7 Reasons Why Your Baby’s Crying</a></li><li>
<a href=”https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/1660/helping-baby-sleep” title=”Helping Baby Sleep”>Helping Baby Sleep</a></li><li>
<a href=”https://www.healthhub. sg/live-healthy/1675/dealing-with-baby-blues” title=”Dealing with Baby Blues”>Dealing with Baby Blues</a></li></ul></div></div>
Tuesday, September 4, 2018
Thursday, December 13, 2018
No
1939
Tuesday, November 15, 2022
<div>Health Promotion Board </div>
/sites/assets/Assets/Logos%20and%20Official/HPB%20CMYK%20Logo%20Padded.jpg
Health Promotion Board
https://www. hpb.gov.sg
Q&A: When Will My Baby Get His First Tooth?
Articles
Super Speech Therapist | When a baby is teething
Article:
The appearance of the first teeth in a child is a small but significant event. For some, it passes so easily that the mother notices the first tooth of the child only during feeding. For someone, on the contrary, the appearance of the first milk teeth is accompanied by a whole range of unpleasant sensations in the baby and experiences in the parents. But, one way or another, this is an important topic that is difficult to ignore.
Terms of appearance of teeth. When do teething start?
Sometimes parents expect that the teeth will start cutting at the appointed time, and if this does not happen, they become seriously nervous, because the late appearance of teeth can be one of the symptoms of rickets. Yes, and the therapist at the reception can ask a question about the timing of their appearance for the same reason.
Don’t panic if your baby is already 8-9 months old and still has no teeth. In fact, this is only one of the many symptoms of such a serious disease that cannot be treated on its own. The process of teething is individual for each child.
The first tooth may appear between 3 and 10 months. Both extremes are the norm. Only the later appearance of the first tooth can cause some suspicion in the absence of other external abnormalities.
The average time of appearance of teeth can be represented as follows:
2 lower incisors appear first at the age of 6-8 months;
all 4 upper incisors grow consecutively over a period of 8 to 12 months;
at about 10-13 months the lower lateral incisors appear;
first molars, first upper and then lower, are cut at 12-15 months;
fangs appear at 18-20 months, also first upper, then lower.
Finally, all 20 teeth appear by 2. 5-3 years. Moreover, if the baby’s teeth began to be cut early, then the process can be completed earlier – by the age of 2. If, on the contrary, the first tooth appeared only at 9-10 months, the latter may appear only at 3-5 years.
After a year, a baby can cut several teeth at the same time, and then this process can be really very painful.
Symptoms of teething
Teething, although a natural process, can be a significant inconvenience. Moreover, the problem, as a rule, does not arise with the first tooth. The lower incisors come out relatively painlessly, but the upper and molars can cause a lot of trouble.
The upper jaw is more dense and it is more difficult for the teeth to “break through” it. Molars, on the other hand, cause discomfort due to their size.
My son’s first teeth appeared as if by themselves, and even the upper incisors erupted quite easily, but then a nightmare began. Almost simultaneously, four teeth began to show, then two more were added to them, and we learned everything that we had only read about in books before. The child was capricious, refused to eat anything, could not sleep at night. Saved only gum gel and then not for long, because it was used strictly according to the instructions in order to avoid complications.
By what symptoms can you understand that the baby is suffering from teething?
the child becomes capricious;
in the mouth, you can notice redness and, as it were, loosening of the gums at the site of tooth eruption;
increased salivation;
the baby may refuse solid food, his taste preferences may change, he may not eat at all;
there may be a slight increase in temperature – up to 37.7-38 ° C.
Along with redness at the site of tooth growth, in rare cases, there may be a small hematoma or even an abscess. They pass along with his appearance.
If the inflammation is significant, accompanied by a significant increase in temperature, and the baby’s condition worsens, it is better to take him to the dentist, who will treat the place where the tooth appeared to prevent infection.
Myths about teething
Although the appearance of milk teeth can be painful, cause a slight inflammation in the mouth and even a slight increase in temperature, it is not a disease.
However, since the antibodies that came to the baby in the mother’s stomach are destroyed over time, by six months the baby’s immunity weakens, and the process of teething itself reduces the body’s defenses. That is why during this period other painful conditions may arise, which are very often attributed to the appearance of teeth.
In order not to harm the child, and not to miss the symptoms of another disease during this period, let’s dwell on the main myths about teeth.
Fever
As already mentioned, teething can cause minor inflammation and therefore fever. But if the temperature is above 38.5 ° C, even more so if it rises to 39 ° C, it is most likely a cold or infection. And this is a reason to see a doctor.
Liquid stool
This myth is especially tenacious among the people. It is believed that teething can negatively affect the work of the intestines. A baby’s stool can indeed change if he refuses his usual food due to gum pain, but these are usually minor changes. In very rare cases, loose stools may be observed due to increased salivation for no more than 72 hours, and with a frequency of no more than 3-5 times a day.
If the baby suffers from diarrhea, especially accompanied by vomiting, it is likely that he has an infection. This is not surprising, given how many objects (and not always clean ones) are put into the mouth to relieve itching in the gums.
Runny nose
Indeed, sometimes teething is accompanied by a slight runny nose. But the discharge from the nose should be liquid and clear. If their color is yellowish, greenish, they are thick, the baby’s nose “does not breathe” – it’s time to see a doctor.
Cough
Saliva can also get into the baby’s throat, causing coughing and wheezing during sleep. But, as a rule, such phenomena are episodic, and the cough cannot be “chest”. If the baby really has increased salivation, which can make it difficult to breathe and cause discomfort during sleep, it is advisable to slightly raise the head of the crib. If the cough does not go away in this case, it is observed constantly during wakefulness – you should not attribute the problem to the teeth.
Vomiting
Increased salivation may provoke a gastric response in the child, but this happens very rarely and is a one-time occurrence. If the child vomited more than once, the teeth have nothing to do with it.
Skin rashes
Teeth in no way can affect the condition of the skin. The only thing that can be – a slight irritation in the mouth of the child from the teether or irritation with saliva. Any other manifestations are a reason for contacting a dermatologist.
Otitis media
Surprisingly, some people think that teething can cause a condition called otitis media. The baby can really pull and rub his ears when he is teething, but this is not associated with inflammation. It’s just that the teeth and ears have one nerve center. In this case, there is no reason to give the child medication or drops.
Other symptoms of inflammation such as high fever, discharge from the ears, tenderness on pressure over the earlobe can cause anxiety. These signs have nothing to do with the appearance of teeth.
Brushing the first teeth
Some parents believe that oral hygiene should be started when the baby already has a few teeth, until then there is simply nothing to brush. In fact, there are dental plaques on the gums of the child. These are small films that can accumulate food debris and be a source of infection. For this reason, dentists recommend brushing your teeth before they appear.
It is not recommended to use a full toothbrush until two years of age. Oral hygiene can be carried out with a special children’s brush that is worn on the finger, or simply with a small piece of gauze dipped in boiled water.
The child’s mouth should be cleaned 1-2 times a day, and after the appearance of the first teeth, special attention should be paid to them to prevent the development of caries in the future.
How to ease the process of teething
To help the baby with teething can, as already mentioned, a special cooling gel and, of course, the main assistant of parents – a teether. The latter are currently numerous, and by the time the teeth appear, it is highly desirable to stock up on not one, but several similar toys.
Your child will most likely choose the teether they like.
Softer silicone massagers. Chilling them in the refrigerator before use can provide a cooling effect.
Rubber massagers are harder, stimulate the gums better and tend to be less prominent.
A child with different teeth may prefer different types of teethers. For example, with the upper incisors, the son actively used silicone, and with fangs – ordinary rubber.
Folk methods to facilitate the process of teething
In addition to special devices that are sold in pharmacies, you can help the baby with “folk” remedies:
Give a crust of bread to chew if the baby is already eating solid food. The son ate his favorite treat – children’s cookies. The pleasant taste and slight stimulation of the gums helped to alleviate his condition for a while.
If the process is very painful for the baby, and the teether seems unattractive to him, you can let him suck his finger and perform a light massage.
You can wipe the gums with a solution of chamomile – it will relieve inflammation and promote the healing of small wounds. I brewed chamomile and left it in the refrigerator for a few minutes, then wiped my son’s gums with a gauze pad soaked in a cool infusion.
Decoctions of burdock root, sage and plantain relieve inflammation, which can also be used to lubricate the gums during a massage.
Honey will help relieve irritation if the baby is not allergic to bee products. They can wipe their gums, or let them suck on a piece of gauze wrapped around a finger and previously moistened with diluted honey.
You can brew a soothing tea with lemon balm, mint, valerian. The main thing is that the baby is not allergic to such herbs, and their concentration is small. Mom can also drink such tea if the baby is breastfed and does not refuse the breast. Such a measure will make the baby more calm, make it easier to fall asleep.
Do not forget about the beneficial effects of cold. If the baby is already eating fruits and vegetables, the pieces can be cooled in the refrigerator and given to the child.
And remember that the main thing for a child in the period of teething is caress and care of the mother. Feeling your support and love, the baby will be less capricious and will go through this stage of growing up easier.
All information is taken from open sources.
If you believe your copyright has been infringed, please
write in the chat on this site, attaching a scan of a document confirming your right.
We will verify this and immediately remove the publication.
03.11.2012 16:05 A child’s health must be taken care of from birth. Especially when it comes to dental health. The nature of the appearance of milk teeth, their further change by permanent ones, is an important moment in the physical development of the child. When teething startsUsually, the first baby teeth begin to appear by the age of six to eight months. These are average results. Therefore, if you do not fit into the generally accepted deadlines, do not panic. Each organism is individual. The first tooth may appear even at four months, or maybe not even at ten. It depends on many factors, both external and internal. For example, the quality of water, the nature of nutrition (breast or artificial), the climatic conditions in which the child lives can affect. It is believed that the hotter the climate, the earlier the baby’s teeth should erupt. Although this is not a common truth. Heredity, genetic predisposition can affect the timing of the appearance of teeth. If the baby’s grandmother or grandfather already had several teeth at six months, it is likely that the child’s first teeth will appear much earlier than the generally accepted period. An important role is played by the mother’s health during pregnancy: how she felt, what she ate, whether her body received all vitamins and microelements in sufficient quantities. That is why it is especially important to follow a balanced diet during pregnancy. After all, the rudiments of teeth are laid in the baby’s body long before his birth, approximately in the third or fourth month of the expectant mother’s pregnancy. The overall health of the child, the proper development of all internal organs, as well as teeth, often depend on how complete her nutrition will be. Expectant mother should stop using tetracycline during pregnancy. When combined with calcium, it reacts and stains the teeth in a greenish or brownish hue. For the same reason, it is not prescribed to children under 13-14 years old, until their teeth are fully formed. Eruption of all milk teethYour child should have a full set of 20 milk teeth by the age of 2.5-3 years. And it all starts much earlier. At about six months, the baby has the first two lower teeth, and a month later, the two upper teeth. At this time, children are especially cute: with four incisors, they look like funny rabbits, especially when they smile. By the age of one, the child can already be called a decent critter. It boasts eight teeth – four lower and upper incisors. In the period from a year to a year and a half, the baby has 4 more teeth, his first molars (molars) – 2 from the bottom and 2 from the top. In a month or two, four more teeth will come out into the world – two lower and upper fangs. And complete the eruption of milk teeth – the second molars, 2 at the top and 2 at the bottom. This period falls on the age of the baby from 2 to 3 years. I would like to remind you once again that these are average statistics that you can only focus on. Therefore, your child may have shifts in the timing of the appearance of teeth in one direction or another, which is not considered an anomaly. Early or late appearance of teeth does not affect their quality. Erupted milk teeth are tightly pressed against each other, there are no gaps or gaps between them. But, by the approach of the time of change of milk teeth to permanent ones, the gaps between the teeth should appear. Nature has thought of everything to the smallest detail: otherwise, permanent teeth, which are larger than milk teeth, simply will not fit in the vacant space and will begin to grow crookedly. Features of teething in a childYour baby’s first tooth can erupt either alone or in pairs with another. The same picture can emerge with the advent of subsequent teeth. Sometimes 4 teeth go at once at the same time. This is not a deviation, the mass appearance of teeth only affects the timing of their eruption. There are cases when the very order of appearance of the teeth changes. For example, canines will appear earlier than first molars. This is not considered a developmental disorder, it’s just that nature decided to fool around a bit, which manifested itself in the individual characteristics of your baby’s teething. Previously, there was an assumption that the delay in the appearance of teeth in children is caused by a disease such as rickets. But after numerous studies, scientists have come to the conclusion that this assumption is erroneous. A delay in the eruption of milk teeth is characteristic of many quite healthy and normally developing babies. No matter what time your child’s teeth erupt, this period is considered normal for him. This applies to milk teeth, and permanent, and wisdom teeth. Only one point should alert you – if not a single tooth has erupted in the child before the year. In this case, you can start sounding the alarm and suggest that some hidden diseases, including rickets, can serve as the cause of such a frank delay in the appearance of teeth. Teething: signs and symptomsHow can you tell if your child is teething? Closer to six months, you can check the baby’s gums. If the teeth are about to come out, his gums will be reddened and slightly swollen. This is due to the increased blood supply to this area of the oral mucosa. The appearance of the first teeth gives the child a lot of anxiety. A week or two before they appear, the baby begins to cry often, rub his gums with his fists, gnaw on the crib, pull objects into his mouth. At this time, the teeth break through the gums, mechanical irritation of the nerve endings occurs, so the gums begin to hurt, itch and itch. Increased salivation is formed, with which the child cannot cope on his own, because. still does not know how to regulate the amount of saliva formed in the mouth. Dripping saliva, if not wiped off, can irritate the baby’s skin and small pimples or redness will appear around the mouth. The baby may have a runny nose. It is provoked by the glands of the nasal mucosa, which begin to secrete an increased amount of mucus. Mucus on the background of teething looks watery – fluid and transparent. Such a runny nose lasts no more than three or four days. It does not require treatment, it is only necessary, as necessary, to mechanically clean the child’s nose from mucus. Along the general pathways of the nervous system, the pain may radiate to the ears. Therefore, the child begins to pull his ears or scratch them. So he tries to reduce itching and pain. When feeding, the baby becomes fussy, tries to dodge a spoonful of food, his appetite decreases. Do not feed him through force, it is better to give more liquid. As soon as a child’s tooth erupts, all negative symptoms should disappear on their own. Do not put your hands in the child’s mouth, checking whether the tooth has erupted or not. So you can easily bring the infection into the oral cavity. It is better to examine his mouth when he yawns or smiles. The emerging tooth can be noticed by accident. When feeding the baby with an iron spoon, you will hear a characteristic sound. Diarrhea and teething feverDiarrhea may well begin in the background of teething. Most often, it appears due to a change in the usual diet of the child and a violation of the intestinal microflora. Mom, wanting to calm the child and alleviate his suffering, begins to feed him more often, give him new products. Yes, and the baby, wanting to relieve itching, pulls all the surrounding objects into his mouth. Such diarrhea lasts no more than two days, as a rule, it is watery, and not frequent – up to three times a day. An elevated temperature in a child, when the first or next tooth appears, is not such a rare occurrence. Usually it should not rise above 38C. If the thermometer shows a temperature of 38.5, 39 or higher, it is better to play it safe and call a doctor. Because a particularly high temperature can be both an individual reaction of the body to teething, and a manifestation of the symptoms of any infection, including intestinal. Especially if the temperature is accompanied by frequent diarrhea, which does not go away after teething. How to help your baby when teethingThe process of teething is not always painless for a child. He becomes restless, capricious, often cries. Do not be afraid to spoil the baby, take him in your arms more often, caress and pity. There are several other ways to help a child in this situation: – it is necessary to purchase teethers – plastic or rubber rings or toys that the baby can scratch the gums and reduce itching. Teethers with liquid inside are especially soothing. Before giving it to a child to chew, it must be cooled, for example, put in the refrigerator. If the baby refuses the teether, you can give him an ordinary dryer; – use soothing gels. Almost all of these products contain small doses of painkillers such as lidocaine and fillers (menthol to cool the gums, flavor additives, astringents). They are all clinically tested, pediatrician approved, and have no side effects. These are Kalgel, Mundizal, Dentinox, etc. These drugs do not have a strict order of application, they are smeared on the gums when they hurt and the baby is restless. Unnecessarily, for prevention, gels should not be used. |