Any young parent will tell you that young babies are a lot of work. With regular feedings and burping, diaper changes, putting them down for naps that they so desperately need but won’t settle down for and any host of other chores a parent must deal with, it’s a good job the little critters are so cute and lovable! But when your baby hits the six-month-old mark they will start teething, turning your adorable cutey into an unbearable Crank-O-Saurus! Here are five tips for helping your baby through teething pains.

 

About Your Baby’s Teething

Teething usually starts at around the six-month-old mark but can start as young as two months old. The front teeth (the central incisors) are typically the first to break through, with the bottom teeth usually being a little ahead of the top.

When your baby is teething, the sharp teeth are slowly cutting through their gums, which is quite an uncomfortable experience and why they are usually quite cranky about the whole ordeal. The most common signs of teething are increased drooling which can sometimes lead to a rash around the mouth, periods of restlessness and your baby rubbing their cheek or ear.

 

Five Ways to Soothe Your Baby’s Teething Pains

Here are five of the most common treatments that can help your baby through the unpleasant teething phase:

1. Rub Your Baby’s Gums – Your baby will be soothed if you gently rub their gums with a finger. Make sure your finger is clean before you put it in baby’s mouth, and even use a gauze pad on your fingertip for further cleanliness. Be careful, though: if some of the baby’s teeth have already erupted, they can be quick sharp and hurt if the baby gets a good chomp on your finger!
2. Cooling Helps – Cold things can further help reduce irritation. If you’re using a gauze pad, dipping it in ice water and squeezing out the excess water can provide additional relief. Alternately, dipping a thin washcloth in ice water and massaging baby’s gums might offer some welcomed relief.
3. Teething Toys to Chew On – You might notice that your baby has an increased tendency to chew on things when they’re teething. This is because chewing on hard objects can help ease the pain for a teething baby. There are special teething toys that you can find in the baby section of your local department store or online, and many of them include a gel filling so they can be put in the fridge or freezer to offer cooling relief.
4. Take Care of Baby’s Skin – As mentioned above, teething can cause your baby to drool more than normal, and constantly having saliva on the skin around their mouth can cause a general rash. To help avoid worsening the teething problem with a rash around the mouth, dry keep the skin around their mouth dry. Remove excess saliva by dabbing rather than wiping, because excessive wiping can make sensitive skin even more sensitive faster.
5. Pain Management Medications – Your local pharmacy will offer a variety of OTC medications to help manage the pain and discomfort baby is feeling because of their teething. Baby-strength acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil) can help take the edge off the pain and there are gels and ointments that can be rubbed on baby’s gums. Our preference is to use medications as a last resort, but if the baby (and parent!) is restless, cranky and won’t settle down then pain medication might be just what you need.

While you’d go to great lengths to ease your baby’s teething pains, sometimes there’s not much you can do and the baby just has to go through the process. Don’t fret, though, it’s a natural part of your baby’s growth.

Trust Orion Dental … the Gentle Dentist!

When your baby does start teething, it’s time to start thinking about dental care for their baby teeth. Orion Dental specializes in child-friendly dentistry, and our full-service dental offering includes care for baby’s first teeth! Call our Milton dental office at (905) 636 – 9770 or our Scarborough dental office at (416) 291 – 0306 for all your family’s dental needs!