Teething Troubles, Teething Process, Tips for Easy Teething

The teething process Teething refers to the phase when your baby gets the firstset of teeth during infancy or early childhood. Erupted through the gums, the firstset of teeth is known as primary teeth or milky teeth. Teething usually begins when your baby is around 6 months of age. The age at whichan infant begins to get teeth may vary and teething may begin in some infants asyoung as 3 months. In some rare cases, a few infants are born with erupted tooth.

You will notice that the first tooth to erupt is one in the lowerfront. Upper teeth usually appear in 1 or 2 months after the lower frontteeth. They are usually followed by the two teeth flanking thebottom front teeth. By the time your baby is about 3 years, he or shewill have a set of 20 primary teeth.
Signs and symptoms of teething The area of the gums may become inflamed and sensitive as the tooth erupted throughthe gums. There may be soreness or swelling in the gums, due to which your babymay feel discomfort during teething. However, these symptoms may disappear as soonas the tooth penetrates the gum. Although many babies breeze through the teething process, teething can be uncomfortablefor some babies. Some of the symptoms of teething can be: Drooling more than usual that can cause a rash on the chin, face or chest. Biting or chew on things to help relieve the pressure in their gums. Refuses to eat and drink. Disrupted eating and sleeping patterns. Brief periods of irritability and fussiness. Swelling in gums and sensitivity. Mild fever.
When to seek medical advice High fever, diarrhea, body rashes and prolonged fussiness are not considered tobe associated with teething. All these symptoms can occur at the same time or couldbe due to any other illnesses or disorders. Consult your doctor if your baby seemsextremely uncomfortable or has symptoms that worry you. You should also talk toyour doctor if your baby has not started teething by 12 months of age or has anyvisible signs of tooth decay.

Tips for easy teething Teething can be frustratingtime for your baby and you as well. Here are a few tips that can makethe teething process a little less painful for your baby:
You can give her frozen teething rings or a wet washcloth cooledin the fridge to chew on. Never give anything that get into your baby’s mouth andmake her to choke Gently rub your baby’s gum with a clean finger for about 2min at a time. You baby may feel better when gentle pressure is applied on hergums. Cold foods like apple sauce or yogurt may help. If none of these reducethe problem, talk to your doctor. She may prescribe a mild pain reliever or a topicalpain relief gel that is labeled for your baby’s age.
Teeth hygiene for your child For the first year, you can use gauze or a wet washcloth to wipe your baby’s teeth and gums. Do it twice a day to clean your baby’s teeth. As more teeth erupt you can brush your baby’s teeth with a soft toothbrush, using only water for the first few months. Toothpaste can be introduced once your baby’s around 3 years old. Encourage your baby to spit it out well. Do not let your swallow the toothpaste as fluoride in the toothpaste can be harmful to your baby. Assist your baby brush until she is able to do it well on her own. Try to brush twice a day, especially after meals. To prevent tooth decay, offer healthy foods that are low in sugar content. Reduce night time milk feeding as soon as several teeth appear as it can cause tooth decay and plaque. Visit a doctor to examine your baby’s teeth by the time he reaches 1 year of age. Regular dental visits are important to prevent cavities and other problems.

Teething troubles

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