Relieving the Pains of Teething

Teething is when your baby’s first set of teeth breaks through the gums. This occurs usually around your baby’s 6th month. However, it is not unusual for teething to begin anytime between 3 months to 1 year of age. By the age of 3, your baby will have all of his/her 20 primary teeth. Usually, the lower front teeth come out first, while the upper front teeth come out about 1 to 2 months later.

Signs That Your Baby Is Teething

You will notice some changes in your baby’s behavior indicating that your baby is teething. Your baby might become fussier than usual because of the discomfort in the gums. There might be itchiness, soreness, or swelling in your baby’s gums before a tooth comes out. These symptoms start about 3 to 5 days before a tooth can be seen, and they go away once the tooth breaks through the gums.

You may also notice your baby biting on his/her fingers or toys to help ease the discomfort in their gums.

During this milestone, you may experience difficulty in feeding your baby. He/she might refuse to eat and/or drink because of the pain in his/her mouth.

Drooling is another tell-tale sign of teething. Drooling can cause a rash on your baby’s chin or chest so be make sure to wipe your baby’s drool immediately.

Relieving the Symptoms of Teething

There are several ways to help your baby feel better while teething.

Teething gels can be applied to numb the gums near the area where the tooth is growing. While most health experts agree that teething gels may be used moderately, you should consult your doctor first before applying teething gels to your baby’s gums. Teething gels contain ingredients like benzocaine and lidocaine, which can be hazardous if not used correctly. These ingredients are known to cause a baby’s throat to become numbe when frequently swallowed. Benzocaine and lidocaine can also be toxic if large quantities build up in your baby’s body.

Never use aspirin or teething powder to ease your baby’s discomfort. Particles of teething powder or aspirin can cause lung problems if inhaled. Also, aspirin should never be administered to a person under the age of 29 because it has been linked to Reye Syndrome.

Try rubbing the gum where the tooth is growing for a couple of minutes using a clean finger or a cold teething ring. Your baby might find this soothing.

You can also provide your baby with safe objects that he/she can chew on, such as teething rings, teethers and toys specifically made for teething. Chewing on objects can take the pressure off the gums. Choose from a wide variety of nontoxic teethers and toys. Some are made of rubber, available with and without bumps. Other types are filled with water which can be chilled in the refrigerator.

Clean teethers and toys after every use. Check care instructions to see if a teethr or toy is dishwasher safe. Avoid boiling water-filled teethers because they might burst open.