A baby's teeth begin developing in the early stages of development within a mother's womb, according to Children's Hospital Boston. Teeth typically begin to appear around the sixth month of life, but they may develop later or earlier. Understanding how your baby's teeth develop will ease both your frustration and that of your baby.
Teething Process
Many babies begin teething as early as 3 months, reports KidsHealth.org. However, some babies are born with one or two teeth, and others do not develop teeth until they reach 9 months of age or older. The two bottom front teeth, called the central incisors, typically push through the gums first. A month or two later you will notice the four front teeth on the top gums, called the central and lateral incisors, appearing. Next, the lateral incisors on the bottom gums, one on each side of the central incisors, will push through. The rest of the 20 primary or baby teeth will appear by the time a child reaches her third birthday.
Signs of Teething
When teething begins, a baby starts to drool more and looks for things to chew on. While some babies make it through the teething stage without suffering any pain, others find it very painful. Your baby may express this pain through brief bouts of irritability, advises Dr. Anil Pradhan, a pediatrician in Bradford, Pennsylvania. However, some may be cranky for weeks, experience long crying jags or exhibit changes in sleeping and eating patterns. You may also notice your baby running a slight temperature while teething. However, if the temperature rises over 100 degrees F or if your baby develops diarrhea, consult your physician. These symptoms do not typically accompany teething and may be due to some other condition.
Teething Pain
You can try to help ease the teething process. Placing a teething ring or wet washcloth in the freezer for 30 minutes and offering it to your baby to chew on may decrease the pain some. However, be sure not to allow it to freeze fully or it may bruise your baby's already tender gums, advises Pradhan. Avoid liquid-filled teething rings, as they may break or leak. Also, do not attach a teething ring around your baby's neck with a string, or it could become caught on something and choke him. Acetaminophen or benzocaine ointment may work to ease the pain, but you should consult your doctor for dosage and safety instructions, due to potential side effects of these medications.
Tooth Hygiene
Even before the first tooth emerges through your baby's gums, you should wipe the gums a minimum of once a day with a clean, damp washcloth, according to DentalResource.org. Introduce the use of a toothbrush at around 1 year of age. Only use infant toothpaste without fluoride until your child can spit out the toothpaste. Begin using a pea-sized amount of toothpaste containing fluoride at around the age of 3 years. As soon as your child's teeth begin to touch, introduce the use of floss, advises KidsHealth.org.
Abnormal Teething
Various diseases and conditions cause abnormal teeth development in some babies and children. They may be discolored, irregularly shaped or absent, according to MedlinePlus. If you notice this with your baby, consult your physician.
References
- Children's Hospital Boston: Mouth and Teeth
- KidsHealth.org: Teething Tots
- Dr. Anil Pradhan, M.D.: Pediatric Associates of Bradford: Bradford, Pennsylvania
- MedLine Plus: Tooth Formation: Delayed or Absent
- DentalResource.org: Baby Teeth: The Basics
