Teething can be an ordeal for parents and babies alike. Here's help.
Drooling, crankiness and tears can make teething an ordeal for parents and babies alike. Here's help easing the pain — for both of you.
What's typical?
Although timing varies widely, most babies lose their toothless grins by about age 6 months. The two bottom front teeth, the lower central incisors, are usually the first to appear.
Tell tale signs of teething often include:
- Drooling
- Irritability
- Swollen gums
- Chewing on solid objects
- Crankiness
- Trouble sleeping
- Low-grade fever (up to 100.4 F)
Of course, some of these signs are simply part of a baby's normal development. By 4 months, most babies drool heavily and explore objects with their mouths — whether teeth are about to emerge or not.
What's the best way to soothe sore gums?
If your baby seems uncomfortable, consider these simple tips.
- Rub your baby's gums. Use a clean finger, moistened gauze pad or damp washcloth to massage your baby's gums. The pressure can ease your baby's discomfort.
- Offer a teething ring. Try one made of firm rubber. The liquid-filled variety may break under the pressure of your baby's chewing. If a bottle seems to do the trick, fill it with water — especially if your baby uses the bottle to fall asleep. Prolonged contact with sugar from formula, milk or juice may cause tooth decay.
- Keep it cool. A cold washcloth or chilled teething ring can be soothing. Don't give your baby a frozen teething ring, however. Contact with extreme cold may hurt, doing your baby more harm than good. If your baby's eating solid foods, offer cold items such as applesauce or yogurt.
- Dry the drool. Excessive drooling is part of the teething process. To prevent skin irritation, keep a clean cloth handy to dry your baby's chin. You may want to lay a clean cloth under your baby's head while he or she sleeps to keep the sheet dry.
- Try an over-the-counter remedy. If your baby is having trouble sleeping or is especially cranky, acetaminophen or ibuprofen may help. Teething medications you rub directly on the gums may wash away in your baby's drool before they have the chance to do any good.
Do I need to call the doctor?
Teething can usually be handled at home. Call the doctor if your baby runs a fever higher than 100.4 F, seems particularly uncomfortable or has other signs of illness.
How do I care for my baby's new teeth?
Ideally, you've been running a clean, damp washcloth over your baby's gums every day. If not, now's a great time to start. The washcloth can keep bacteria from building up in your baby's mouth.
When your baby's teeth begin to appear, switch to a small, soft-bristled toothbrush or the fingertip variety specifically meant for infants. There's no need to use toothpaste. Until your child learns to spit — about age 2 or 3 — water is all you need.
It's also time to think about regular dental checkups. The American Dental Association recommends scheduling a child's first dental appointment by age 1. Because a baby's teeth and gums are examined at well-baby checkups, many doctors recommend scheduling the first dental appointment at about age 3 — or earlier if problems occur. Regular childhood dental care can set the stage for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.
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