Have you found yourself immersed in the world of a teething baby or toddler? Many mothers and fathers around the world can likely relate to this topic. Whether you’ve found yourself rolling out of bed after a sleepless night or frantically bouncing your tearful child up and down during the day, teething can make a real impact.
Believe us, we’ve been there with our own kids and we’re here to offer you reassurance that this time will pass and there are lots of ways you can help your child (and yourself) through this phase of development.
What Is Teething?
Teething for a child is the process that they go through when they’re first set of teeth begins to emerge in the mouth. The new set of shiny teeth will appear by cutting up through the gums. Each tooth may take several days to fully appear and the entire process of teething can take a couple of years.
When Does Teething Start?
The start of teething depends on your individual child. While it can start as early as four months of age some kids don’t start until much later. The average age when a child cuts their first tooth is 6 months of age.
Is Teething Painful?
Again, this is a question that varies from child to child. While it’s not always painful for a young baby, it certainly can be a painful process. As a parent you should read the signs from your child and provide remedies for the pain as needed and as recommended by your dentist or doctor.
What Are the Signs of Teething?
– Excessive drooling
– Pulling on the ears or cheeks
– An increase in chewing, biting, or sucking behavior
– Redness or swelling on the gums
– Interruption of normal sleeping behavior
How Long Does Teething Last?
The million-dollar question for those parents who are working through the process. Each tooth can take a few days to appear. However, the entire process of getting their first set of teeth can last until the child is two or three years old. It is likely though that the older your child gets the more easily they handle the entire process of getting new teeth.
Tips and Tricks for Teething
As your baby goes through the process of teething you might start to feel somewhat helpless. There are lots of ways that you can help your child and ease any discomfort that they might feel.
1. Massage the Gums – Make sure that you have clean hands or a clean washcloth and then gently place your finger on the gums and gently massage them.
2. Cold or Frozen Fruits and Veggies – If your child is of the right age, chilled or slightly frozen fruits and vegetables can be placed inside one of those mesh bags and given to your child to chew on.
3. Teething Toys – There are a plethora of great teething toys on the market that can be used for your child. Some are made to be chilled in the freezer before being offered to your child.
4. Medicine – If none of the other remedies you’ve tried appear to be working, then you may find that you want to use some over the counter pain reliever for your child. Before using a medicine like acetaminophen or ibuprofen we recommend that you consult with your child’s pediatrician or dentist.
What’s Next?
Whether your newly pregnant or making your way through the various stages of your child’s growth, there are lots of developmental stages that will occur in their dental journey. We encourage all parents to start introducing their children to the dentist as early as possible to help set a solid foundation for the dental future.
Check with your family dentist to see how early they’d like to see your child once teeth erupt. If you’re in the market for a good dental home for your child or yourself we’d love to answer questions or see you for an initial visit. Give us a call at 509-525-7250.