Teething syndrome revolves around the painful symptoms that occur when teeth push through your baby's gums. You cannot prevent this normal period in your child's development, but there are ways you can help ease the pain your infant is experiencing.
Teething
Infant teething usually starts between six and eight months. However, it is perfectly normal if your baby begins teething earlier or later. All 20 "baby teeth" are typically in place by the time your child is 30 months old. The two bottom central incisors usually appear first, followed by the upper and rest of the lower incisors. Molars usually come in later, and the canine teeth are the last to emerge, notes the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Signs
Teething can make your infant uncomfortable and even might cause a mild fever. The discomfort is a result of the pressure exerted on the gums as the teeth erupt through the tissue. Signs of teething include drooling, ear pain, fever below 101 degrees, irritability, poor appetite, sleeping problems and crying. Your baby's gums could be very sore and swollen, and she might try to relieve the discomfort by chewing on fingers and other hard objects.
Remedies
Simple remedies might help ease the discomfort caused by teething. MayoClinic.com recommends rubbing your baby's gums with a clean finger or a damp washcloth, or give your child a teething ring to gnaw. Try offering your child a cold teething ring or a pacifier to help sooth the pain. However, do not give your child a frozen teething ring, which can do more harm than good. Place the teething ring in the freezer for only few minutes, or cool the ring in the refrigerator for an hour or two. If your child is very uncomfortable and fussy, give over-the-counter pain medication, such as acetaminophen, or, if your child is over 6 months, ibuprofen. Carefully check dosing amounts on the label or ask your child's pediatrician. Never give your child aspirin.
Brushing
Teaching good oral hygiene from the beginning will help your child develop good lifelong habits. Begin cleaning your child's teeth as soon as the first one appears. Use a baby toothbrush or a damp washcloth to gently clean the teeth at the end of the day. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends never letting your child fall asleep with a bottle, because the milk or juice can pool around teeth and cause cavities.
References
- "Your Baby's First Year"; The American Academy of Pediatrics; 2nd edition; 2005
- MayoClinic.com: Teething -- Tips for Soothing Sore Gums; December 2009
