tots 'n' teeth
Teething can begin as early as 3 months and be a frustrating time for babies and mums. Learn what signs to look for if your baby has begun the teething process, and pick up some pain-relieving suggestions to help ease your baby's discomfort. We explain the importance of protecting your baby's milk teeth and give you some top tips to make tooth-brushing fun.
what is teething?
Teething (or "cutting teeth") is the process of your baby's teeth appearing either individually or in pairs. Don't forget that every baby is different and the start and duration of the teething process can vary greatly. There is no set pattern to when teething will begin, how long it will take and how painful it will be. The first tooth can appear as early as the third month for some babies; for others, it does not emerge until the baby is a year old. For one baby cutting a tooth might happen painlessly overnight, while another child might have to go through a more drawn out and painful experience.
While teeth usually appear sooner in girls than in boys, teething patterns tend to be hereditary - so knowing when you and your partner began to cut your teeth may provide some clues. Expect twenty teeth by your child's third birthday - twelve less than the permanent set of thirty-two that adults have.
As the roots of your baby's teeth grow, and the sharp edges of the teeth push through the surface, your baby's gums can become increasingly sore and painful. This discomfort often causes excessive restlessness, crankiness and irritability. The effects of teething are usually most dramatic with your baby's first teeth as the sensation is brand new. (Some babies later become accustomed to the sensations of teething and may not as bothered by the pain as time goes on.)
signs your baby is teething
The symptoms of teething vary from child to child, but common signs include:
- Increased fussiness, night-time crying and overly clingy behaviour.
- Excessive dribbling.
- Irritated skin around the chin and mouth due to excessive dribble.
- Pink or red cheeks.
- Swollen, red, inflamed gums.
- Chewing and sucking on fingers and toys.
- Increased demand in breast or bottle-feeding.
- Poor appetite.
- Change in sleep patterns, sleeplessness.
- Rejection of breast or bottle (because suckling hurts gums.)
Teething takes the blame for all sorts of baby complaints, but keep in mind that it is important to distinguish between normal teething discomfort and the symptoms of an illness. Fever, diarrhoea and vomiting are almost always illness-related. Excessive crying, irritability, drooling, rashes, ear tugging, bad temper and runny noses are the most difficult to interpret as they can be teething-related or a symptom of something more serious. The important thing is not to use teething to explain away what might be the signs of illness - always consult your GP if you have any doubts.
ways to relieve baby's discomfort
There are several things that you can try to help ease your baby's teething pain. Some may work for you and some won't - but most mums agree anything is worth a go! Keep trying different things until you find what provides the best relief for your baby.
When your baby is teething he or she will gnaw and gum down on anything they can get their mouth around, as biting on something helps relieve the pressure in their little gums. Experiment with cold clean washcloths, water filled or chilled rubber teething toys, even your own fingers - anything that provides cooling counter pressure might bring relief.
more suggestions for alleviating baby's teething pain:
- Offering your baby a cold bottle of water or diluted juice. This can also help replenish your baby's fluid levels when dribbling is excessive.
- Cold food such as chilled applesauce, cold yoghurt or any newly defrosted pureed fruit can help ease the pain.
- Colourful teething rings such as the one found on this Baby Einstein Activity Gym can also be a great help.
- Some babies respond to distraction from the pain in the form of cuddling, rocking or changing scenery.
- For babies older than four months, perhaps try a cooling teething gel spread across their little gums.
- In some instances, your GP may recommend infant pain relievers like paracetamol or ibuprofen.
Note: Contrary to old-fashioned remedies, you should never rub whiskey or other alcoholic products on your infant's gums!
protecting your baby's milk teeth
Baby's milk teeth might not last long, but mums should not be cavalier about looking after them! Decay and early loss can damage permanent teeth even before they emerge. Because baby teeth play an important role in the alignment and spacing of permanent teeth, if they are lost too early on due to unnecessary decay, the position of the adult teeth may be affected - and this can lead to a bad bite or jaw pain in later life. This is why good dental care must start in infancy.
Even before your baby's first tooth comes in, you should begin cleaning his or her mouth. Gently rubbing a damp, clean washcloth over the gums after feedings will help remove food debris and accustom your child to the cleaning process. As soon as teeth emerge, they should also be wiped clean after feedings.
Bear in mind that your baby's teeth are susceptible to decay or cavities as soon as they appear - that's why early and proper dental care is so very important. Babies should never be put to bed with a bottle containing milk, breast milk, formula, juice, or any other drink that contains sugar. If this occurs on a regular basis, your baby could be at risk of developing a serious dental condition called baby-bottle tooth decay (or "nursing-bottle syndrome"). The sugar in these liquids along with the bacteria that is naturally present in your baby's mouth join together to form an acid that starts attacking and decaying the baby teeth, causing them to rot and erode. If you give your baby a bottle before a nap or at bedtime, it should contain water only.
when to start brushing
You can begin brushing your baby's teeth with an infant toothbrush, using water but no toothpaste. You can start to teach your child to use a toothbrush and toothpaste when they are about two or three years old - but don't forget you will probably need to help them until they are old enough to brush properly by themselves.
To make brushing fun, have your child select his or her own toothbrush with cool designs or fun characters. And special toothbrush timers help to make sure they have brushed long enough!
Your child's teeth should be brushed twice each day - once after breakfast and again before going to bed at night. Remember to replace toothbrushes regularly as children sometimes bite or chew on their bristles. Most children's toothbrushes have smaller heads than adult models, as well as rounded, softer bristles. Manufacturers usually label their toothbrushes according to age to help you. It is not necessary to use toothpaste until your child is at least two years old, and then make sure only a pea-sized amount is used and teach your child to avoid swallowing it.
By age four, most kids should be able to brush their teeth on their own - but they will probably still need a bit of extra help and reminding!
Keep in mind that children are great emulators. If they see mum or dad brushing regularly, they are likely to follow.
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