Baby Teething Problems and Remedies
‘
When do babies start teething’ is a very common question among new parents. Teething is a natural process that results in the sequential growth of the infant’s teeth. Teething can start at an early age of 3-months or may even take at least 1-year to start. The baby or milk or deciduous teeth, as they are differently called, are 20 in number. A time span of many years may pass before all these 20 teeth show up. These teeth are also called as cutting teeth because they cut their way through the soft gums of the baby.
Infant teething problems
If your baby is often irritable, loses appetite, chews different objects, has swollen gums, produces excessive saliva, has high body temperature or earache and nappy rash, it he may be undergoing teething. These symptoms start to appear approximately at the age of six months.
While teething is going on, you will find your baby gnawing at almost everything it can get hold of. Those objects that are so small that can be swallowed or are breakable are very dangerous because they can lead to chocking of your baby’s throat. Certain toys for babies and teething rings are designed in a special way so that they massage the baby’s gums, while it is chewing them.
Remedies
Infant teething requires proper care and help.
- Only after consultation with the doctor, you can also administer certain medicines to your baby, if there are obvious symptoms of pain. Baby Oragel that contains benzocaine is considered very safe in such cases. Other safe anti-inflammatory and pain-relief medicines can also be given to your baby to relieve it from annoying pain.
- Some infants are in the habit of gnawing on a washcloth that is cool, this gives relief to them.
- Similarly, certain teething rings that can be frozen also help calm your baby.
- You can also massage the soft gums of your baby with your finger to soothe it. Take care to keep your hands clean before doing this. In the beginning, your baby may not relish this massage, but after a while it will feel much comfortable.
Dental hygiene is important
Baby teething problems can be controlled up to some extent if proper dental care is taken by the parents. Pediatric dentist advise that a baby’s teeth should be brushed soon after they become visible. This, of course should be done with a specially soft tooth brush. You should not wait till all the teeth come out and then resort to brushing. This delay may also spoil your baby’s teeth and lead to baby bottle tooth decay. You should not use toothpaste for this type of brushing.
Fluoride is good for Kid’s Teeth
Small amounts of fluoride are definitely good for kid’s teeth. Fluorinated tooth pastes are ideal. However, fluoride in excess can cause damage to tooth enamel.