Baby Teething: Symptoms, Soothing and Tips in 2022
Baby Teething: Symptoms, Soothing and Tips in 2022
Being a parent is no cake walk. Yet it what you learn over the journey of parenthood, which makes you the perfect parent for your little ones. One of the learnings is the Teething Phase! Teething phase is a new milestone, but often a little frustrating for the baby.
Sometimes for parents too, when they start using the small teeth to nibble on you!
At times, it could even seem confusing to understand if or if not your baby has entered the teething phase. Knowing what to expect during teething and how to make it a little less painful can help you be prepared for the moments.
Teething is known as ‘Odontiasis’. In simple words, it is when babies start growing teeth through their gums. Babies usually begin to teethe between 4 to 7 months, some even later. At the end of the day, each baby grows at their own pace. But, how do we know that our baby is teething? Are there any signs or symptoms of teething? Again, depending on the situations, there are a few signs and symptoms your little ones may experience.
Here are the Top 5 Symptoms of Teething
- Babies may start to drool more
- Experience crying spells
- Disrupted sleep and eating patterns
- Slightly raised temperature
- Swollen/tender gums
Teething can be painful but it usually does not cause fever or diarrhea, but if your baby does develop these symptoms, it is best to consult their pediatrician.
Usually, at first, you can see their two teeth at the bottom front, then the opposite top two, and then two on either of those sides, followed by the two on either side of the bottom front teeth, then first molars, and at the end, the back molars. However, this can also depend on the family history and genetics. So, don’t worry if the teeth don’t grow in this order.
The pain of teething is said to usually last for about 8 days, but if multiple teeth come through simultaneously, the pain can continue for a little longer. But there are a few things you can adopt to make it better for them
Top 5 ways to Soothe a Teething Baby
- Use a clean wet cold cloth and rub it against their gums
- Give them a cool object to chew. Make sure it is not plastic or of any material that could easily break
- Feed them cool soft foods like applesauce, yogurt if only they have started solids
- Use a bottle if you think it might help. But, fill it only with water as formula milk or juices might cause tooth decay
- You can also invest in teether toys. There are now a variety of options to choose from in the market like the wood teethers, silicone teethers, etc Click here to know the top teether brands available in India.
When teeth do appear, how do we take care of them?
It’s no surprise that cleaning and taking care of your little ones’ teeth is important for long term dental health. In fact, dental care should begin even before the first tooth appears. Wipe your baby’s gums with a clean wet cloth or can try using a soft infant sized toothbrush and water. No toothpaste yet! And when the first tooth appears, you can use a fluoridated toothpaste but very little. Increase the amount to pea size of toothpaste once the little one is ready to spit it out. Could be around 3 years of age. Try choosing a toothpaste with fluoride as it helps in preventing tooth decay. But, make sure to not overdo it. By the time all the teeth are in, it’s better to inculcate the habit of brushing twice a day. Especially after meals for dental hygiene. Also, if your baby still uses a bottle, do not let them sleep with it as the milk or juice can pool in their mouth resulting in tooth decay and plaque.
These are some tips you can try to take care of your little ones’ gums and teeth. You can always visit the dentist if something does not feel right. Even if you’re still learning, a parent’s gut feeling is everything when it comes to protecting their cubs.
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