5 Hints Your Baby Has Started Teething
It’s amazing how quickly babies grow. Before you know it, small teeth start poking out of their gums and their smiles begin to develop. While it’s neat for parents to see their child come into their own, it can be an irritable experience for some babies. Fortunately, our Hudsonville, MI, pediatric dentist is here to give you some pointers on teething.
Here are 5 common and how you can help them feel the most comfortable.
The Timing of Teething
You’ve heard it before but it’s important to remember: every baby is different. What’s considered “normal” can vary and this applies to many things, including teething. The onset of teething only begins when your child’s first tooth is in the process of erupting.
Some babies have a tooth appear around 6 months of age while others make it to their first birthday without a visible addition to their smile. However, on average, most babies start teething between 4 and 7 months. during this time can be more intense or nonexistent depending on your child.
As your child’s primary teeth start to emerge, our pediatric dentist recommends that you bring them in for an infant oral health exam. This way we can gently examine their mouth and make sure there are no immediate causes for concern. We can also offer tips for soothing sore gums, how to brush before teeth, and when it’s time to teach oral hygiene habits.
Teething Babies Often Do the Following:
1. Easily Cry or Seem Irritated
Mood changes can signal that your baby is entering the . Crying may happen more frequently, and it might not take much to set even the happiest baby off. Don’t worry, it’s not permanent. If your baby is feeling regularly agitated it’s likely because a new tooth is pressing on and poking its way through their gums.
Their first teeth will be the most painful but as time goes on, they’ll become accustomed to what teething feels like. For upset babies, our pediatric dentist encourages parents to place something cold in your child’s mouth, i.e., a cold pacifier, spoon, or teething ring. The lower temperature will help to ease their tender gums.
2. Drool a Lot More
Babies drool quite a bit already, but when they start teething, it’s not uncommon for the drooling to increase. If you notice your baby’s shirt becoming drenched rather quickly, teething is often the culprit. Try having your child wear a bib to keep their clothes dry for longer and be sure to wipe or pat away drool so it doesn’t cause a rash on their skin.
3. Increasingly Bite or Chew on Items
When there is pressure from a tooth poking through under the gums, chewing or biting down on something can feel good. This is what your baby is trying to do if they’re teething and why teething rings or other toys are so effective.
Our pediatric dentist recommends giving your child something safe to chew on like bumpy rubber teething toys or a wet washcloth. Using a silicone finger slip toothbrush can also help to apply counter pressure and massage the gums.
4. Develop Swollen or Tender Gums
This is expected during teething and what babies will fuss the most about as their teeth erupt. Simply running a clean finger along your child’s irritated gums can provide them with much needed comfort and relief. Though it is tempting as a relaxation technique, try not to let your child have a bottle as they fall asleep, or you risk what’s known as “baby bottle tooth decay”.
5. Have a Slightly Higher Temperature
Just to be clear: any temperature over 100 or 101 degrees Fahrenheit is likely not the sole result of teething. If your baby has a high fever, we urge you to take them to a physician for further evaluation and care.
However, if their temperature is slightly raised and they are also exhibiting a few of the signs listed above, teething is probably the cause.
Call Our Pediatric Dental Team
Teething is normal, but that doesn’t mean it can’t also be intimidating for new parents. Our pediatric dentist in Hudsonville, MI, cares for young patients all the time and is familiar with teething symptoms. If you need additional information on teething or have questions for our team, call Hudsonville Dental Kids today at (616) 209-4039 to schedule an appointment.
