Home > Parenting Resources > Baby Care > Helping Your Child Through Teething
Most infants have their first tooth erupt between six and eight months of age. Teeth usually come up in pairs. Bottom front teeth (central incisors) typically emerge first, followed by the top ones. Then the molars and the canine teeth (the pointy ones) appear. Las come the back molars. Although parents usually associate "teething" with the few days of discomfort and swelling before and after a tooth erupts, tooth development actually begins in the womb. Primary or "baby" teeth begin to form under the gums during the fifth month of pregnancy and slowly emerge as your infant grows older. But it's not until the teeth start breaking through the gums that things get uncomfortable for baby. Baby should have her full set of 20 primary teeth by age 3. Her permanent teeth won't begin to replace them until she's four to six years of age. Most infants experience few symptoms from teething besides increased drooling and crankiness. Rarely, however, other symptoms may occur: Irritation of the area around baby's mouth as a result of excessive drooling-- a dab of petroleum jelly can protect her skin. Gum swelling or sensitivity to hot and cold foods. Difficulty sleeping. A bluish red blister, called a hematoma, on the gum line. Which may bleed a little when the tooth emerges. Call your doctor if the blister lasts for more than a week without the tooth poking through. Low-grade fever and diarrhea. Teething is often blamed for symptoms--including fever and diarrhea-that may be a result of a virus. A study published in 2000 in the journal Pediatrics bolsters previous evidence that these symptoms are unrelated to teething most of the time. A good guideline to follow: Whatever symptoms you're attributing to teething should pass within a few hours. If they don't, baby may be sick with something, such as a virus. The worst part of teething--for the parent, at least--is seeing a child in pain. Techniques for easing the pain include: A teething ring which is a soft plastic or liquid-filled ring and are the best kind and can be frozen for extra numbing comfort. But avoid the type with baubles floating inside, since a determined infant might be able to gnaw through it and swallow the little objects. Even something as simple as a wet washcloth that your baby can chew on will provide relief. In some cases, your child may need an over-the-counter infant teething gel, which will temporarily numb her gums. Also, an age=appropriate dose of an infants liquid pain reducer, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can provide temporary relief. (excerpts from American Baby.com) |
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