Teething

by Elna Van Straten

November 22, 2018

The appearance of your baby’s first tooth is one of the most exciting milestones. One of the most exciting milestones of your baby’s growth is the appearance of the first tooth. It does; however, come with some “teething problems” (Excuse the pun).

Symptoms of Teething

Signs parents should look out for that might indicate that the teeth are coming in include:

The gums around the new teeth will swell and be tender.

The other basic signs include:

Mild irritability, crying, low-grade temperature, slightly runny nose, and excessive drooling.

In Some cases, a rash forms around the mouth and nappy area or your baby might experience stomach upset.

The desire to chew on something hard is also a very good indicator.

Easing Baby’s discomfort

Cool spare dummies and teething rings in the fridge or freezer the cool temperature is a helpful addition. Parents can try gently rubbing or massaging the gums with your finger to give your baby a break from the teethers and dummies. Teethers from firm rubber are advisable, but take care when freezing to ensure that they don’t become too hard and cause harm.

Take extra care when using pain relievers and medication, it can be harmful if too much is used and the child swallows an excessive amount.

If the symptoms persist contact the doctor.

Cleaning and caring for your baby’s teeth

> Brush the teeth with a soft child’s toothbrush when they become visible.

> Select a toothbrush that is appropriate for your child and use a pea-size amount of fluoride toothpaste, which helps prevent cavities. It is important to make sure that each tooth is cleaned top and bottom, inside and out.

> Give the baby chewy food as chewing massages gums and promotes the flow of saliva to clean teeth.

> When the child is older remember to teach them not to swallow it. Swallowing too much fluoride toothpaste can make white or brown spots on your child’s adult teeth.

> To prevent decay, don’t dip dummies or teethers in sweet substances, or let your baby fall asleep with a bottle or give her sweet snacks as this may lead to the formation of cavities.

> Always wipe down and clean objects handled by the baby to reduce the risk of infection.

And remember mommy and daddy, as bad as it might be, a dental visit is part of dental care.