Parent and Baby

Written on February 11, 2009 – 4:48 am | by Staff |

There is no set pattern on when babies will begin teething or how long will it take and how painful it will be. For one baby cutting a tooth might happen overnight without pain, while another child might have to go through a long, drawn out and painful experience. You may sometimes visibly see a rise or lump in the gum for several weeks, while sometimes there may be no visible clue at all until the tooth actually appears.

There are twenty primary teeth. Most children have a full set of primary teeth by the time they are two or three years old. These teeth usually last until about the age of six or seven when the teeth that were first to appear become loose and fall out as the permanent teeth begin to push through the gums. The primary teeth continue falling out until roughly the age of twelve. Again, these ages are only averages as every child has his own teething pattern.

The teething symptoms vary from child to child. Some of the symptoms are the following:

1. Irritability
   This is due to the soreness and painful gums which leads to a baby becoming very fussy and irritable. The pain and discomfort is most often worse during the first teeth coming in and later when the molars come in because of their bigger size. Every child reacts differently.
2. Drooling
   From three to four months of age you may see your baby start drooling more often than normal. Teething stimulates drooling, which is often worse with some babies than others.
3. Chin rash
   This is in connection of your baby’s drooling. Frequent contact with saliva can cause the skin around the mouth and chin to become irritated. To help prevent this, gently wipe your baby’s mouth and chin periodically throughout the day.
4. Biting and gnawing
   A baby that is teething will gnaw and bite down on anything they can get. The counter pressure from biting on something helps relieve the pressure from under the gums.
5. Cheek rubbing and ear pulling
   Pain in the gums may travel to the ears and cheeks particularly when the back molars begin coming in. This is why you may see your baby rubbing their cheeks or pulling at their ears. However, keep in mind that pulling at an ear can also be a sign of an ear infection.
6. Low-grade fever
   A fever is another symptom that doctors are sometimes hesitant to directly link with teething. However, there are many parents who will disagree with this and find their baby gets a slight fever while teething. The best thing to do is be extra safe and notify your doctor if a fever last more than two days.
7. Not sleeping well
   With teething pain happening during the day and night, you may find your child wakes more often at night when the pain gets bad enough. Most parents agree that the night waking happens more often during the first set of teeth and with the molars.

There are several things that you can try to help ease the pain of teething. You can try the following:

• Give your baby a teething ring to bite. Place the ring in the fridge, enough for it to become cold. Do not put the ring in the freezer as too much cold may harm the baby’s gum.
• Cold food has been found to be helpful. Chilled applesauce, yogurt and pureed peaches may be more appealing to your baby and more nutritious than a chilled teething ring.
• When nothing else helps, you can also turn to acetaminophen. Check with your pediatrician first.
• Rub teething gel into the affected area with your finger a few times a day, even just rubbing your finger over the area can help soothe the discomfort for your baby.

‘2 in 1′ Cooling Teether and Bump & Bruise Soother: Here’s a product that you can use in two soothing ways - it provides cool relief on baby’s sore gums and is also great for soothing bumps and bruises! The soft, removeable terry cloth bunny cover can be moistened for additional comfort. It’s also easily removed so you can chill the turtle water teether separately.

Sassy GUMMY GUPPY TEETHER baby teething toys:This flexible fish is such a fun and colorful way to soothe baby’s sore gums AND to promote the development of the senses. This teether offers a variety of textures for your baby to explore, creating an increased awareness of the lips or fingers. Soft, gummy design is gentle on even the most sensitive spots.

The First Years Fingertip Toothbrush: Show parents how easy it is to brush formula and food off baby’s teeth. Extra soft brush bristles also gently massage mouth and gums to help baby feel better during teething. Slips comfortably on adult’s finger. Provides better access to your child’s tiny mouth.

RaZ-Berry Silicone Teether: The RaZBaby RaZ-Berry Silicone Teether is truly one of a kind. It’s unique design, combining a silicone teether and pacifier in one, makes this item a must have! Features: First hands-free all silicone teething pacifier Stimulating, multi-textured, cherry shaped nipple Soothes while baby plays All silicone, non-toxic Can be frozen for extra soothing comfort.

Ice Gel Teether Keys on a Ring: Give your little one soft and cool relief when he’s teething. This colorful teether features three keys on a ring to keep your baby’s gums nice and cool. Each ice-gel teether key has a soft overlay on top and Pur Ice Gel in the bottom.

Hylands Teething Gel: 100% Natural No Side Effects ,Homeopathic.A homeopathic combination for the temporary relief of symptoms of simple restlessness and wakeful irritability due to cutting teeth.INGREDIENTS:Formula: Calcarea Phosphorica 12X HPUS (Calcium Phosphate), Chamomilla 6X HPUS (Chamomile), Coffea Cruda 6X HPUS (Coffee), Belladonna 6X HPUS (Alkaloids 0.0003%), in a natural gel base of Deionized Water, Vegetable Glycerin, Hydroxyethyl Cellulose, Methylparaben and Propylparaben.

Baby Orajel Nighttime Formula Teething Pain Relief Gel: Fast Teething Pain Relief. Inactive Ingredients: Flavor, Glycerin, Polyethylene Glycols, Purified Water, Sodium Saccharin, Sorbic Acid, Sorbitol, FD&C Red 40.

Little Teethers Oral Pain Relief Gel, Fast Relief For Teething Pain: Little Teethers Oral Pain Relief Gel is a safe, soothing, easy-to-apply gel which immediately helps to relieve teething pain.Most importantly, this pleasant-tasting topical anesthetic formula is free of alcohol, sugar, saccharin and artificial dyes. Soothes and Relieves Sore Gums. Safe & Effective. Works on Contact. Use Day or Night. Great Cherry Taste. Free of Sugar, Saccharin, Alcohol, and Dyes.