Teething and your baby!

Teething is a normal part of your baby’s dental development. That doesn’t make it less stressful, though, for you or your baby.

This natural process occurs as your child’s primary teeth sequentially erupt through the gums over a period of two or three years. The first is usually the two lower front teeth followed by the two upper front ones, beginning (give or take a couple of months) between six and nine months. By the age of three, most children have all twenty of their primary teeth.

The front incisors usually come in first. Typically, the bottom front teeth will make an appearance first, but sometimes it’s the top two. Next, the canines will arrive. Your baby’s eight molars coming between her first and third birthdays, so she will be teething for a long time!

Your baby can’t tell you they are in pain (sad face), but you might see some pretty obvious signs there is a tooth on its way. The signs widely agreed to be sure indicators of teething include:

– Babies can dribble way more than usual.

– They’re biting and gumming down on anything and everything – that’s because the chewing provides them with relief.

– They are more grumpy, distressed and irritable than usual

– Sore and red gums.

– A loss of appetite.

Other symptoms that might be signs of teething may includ: gum-rubbing; sucking; wakefulness; ear-rubbing; facial rash; and a runny nose. A mildly-raised temperature might also be a sign but it should not be over 38°C.

Your baby might be showing one of these signs or symptoms, or all of them. Teething signs can be so wide ranging, and vary so much from baby to baby that only one third of teething infants would experience any one of the signs above.

You can help and ease tour baby teething symptoms with:

– Using teething gels, these usually contain antiseptic and anaesthetic which work by relieving the pain and preventing infection. The effects tend to last about 20 minutes

– Using teething granules or powder, homeopathic teething remedies which some parents find helpful, particularly for babies waking at night with teething trouble.

– Using teething rings, chewing on something can be a great distraction for your child, but a teething ring will also ease a baby’s discomfort. Teething rings can be cooled in the fridge as this will sooth babies’ gums,

– Giving affection, sometimes there’s nothing like a cuddle to distract your baby from the pain. Holding or playing with babies should divert their attention. This may not always work if the baby is restless or irritable.

– Chewing, one of the main signs that your child is teething is chewing. Children may chew on anything from their fingers to their toys. Give them something healthy to chew, such as raw fruit or vegetables, but make sure that they are never unsupervised while eating.

– Medicine, infant paracetamol can be helpful for relieving pain. Buy sugar-free in order to protect your child’s teeth. Always check the dosage instructions, and consult your pharmacist if you need more information.

Teething can be a difficult time for your baby and family. But with these tips and you can keep their discomfort to a minimum. It is also important to look after yourself, as your baby’s upset is likely to be stressful. You might feel exhausted too, as they’ll require even more of your attention.

If you need more information please feel free to contact our practice, our team will be helpful and will give you more advice to understand your baby during this teething period.