Seeing your child in pain is when he or she is teething is a difficult thing that each parent has to face. It is part of growing up and it is hard to know when it will begin, how long it will last and how painful it will be. Symptoms include irritability, drooling, biting or gnawing, cheek rubbing, diarrhea, fever or insomnia. Fortunately, there are things you can try to help ease your child's pain.
Washcloth
A wet washcloth that has been in the freezer for about half an hour may provide some soothing comfort for your teething child, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is an inexpensive and simple remedy that may help alleviate pain. Be sure to store the wash cloth in a plastic zip-lock bag when freezing and to wash it after each use to keep it clean and safe for your baby's mouth. Try different degrees of coldness to see what works best. If the frozen washcloth is too cold, you can also try just dampening it with cold water.
Cold Food
Chilled, slushy food such as applesauce, mashed bananas and pureed peaches may provide some numbing and comfort for teething children, according to The Mayo Clinic. When served cold, these foods may be more appetizing than when eaten at warm or room-temperature. Be sure to only give these types of foods if your child has had them before. Because certain foods may cause an upset stomach or an allergic reaction, introducing new food to a teething child who is already in pain is not the best time to test diet tolerance.
Teething Toys
Many teething products to help alleviate pain are available on the market, including teething rings and hard rubber toys. They come in different shapes, textures and usually have a handle for easy grasping. Sometimes parents freeze these toys, but this is not advisable, according to the Children's Hospital Boston. Frozen toys may be too hard and hurt your child's gums. Be sure to not purchase teething toys that contain phthalates. Phthalates are substances that are sometimes added to plastic toys to make them soft, flexible and durable, and long-term use may be harmful to children's health.
Gum Massage
Your child's sore, irritated or swollen gums may be soothed with gentle massaging using your clean finger. Massaging the gums for two minutes or so may provide some soothing counterpressure. Rubbing an ice cube wrapped in a handkerchief, washcloth or cheesecloth along the gums may also provide some relief.
Over-The-Counter Products
The Mayo Clinic recommends that you not give your teething child any aspirin-containing products since they may cause Reyes' disease, a condition that affects major bodily organs, especially the brain and liver. Instead of aspirin, consider acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help alleviate pain. Be careful in giving these medications to your children, however, as overdosing may occur. Too much acetaminophen can cause liver damage and overdosing on ibuprofen can cause stomach or intestinal damage. Rubbing any medication (including teething gels) on the gums is not advisable as it may be washed away by saliva. Furthermore, too much medication on the gums may numb your child's throat, which may affect their gag reflex. Be sure to ask your pediatrician about pain-relieving medications for teething before administering them to your child.
