Although some infants don’t miss a beat when teething time comes, others wail, moan, scream and drool as their teeth fight to break through the surface of the gums. During teething, the eruption of baby teeth can cause intense localized gum tenderness and swelling. Knowing appropriate remedies for reducing gum pain in teething infants helps parents ease their little ones through this potentially stressful stage of babyhood.
Teething Background
For most babies, teething starts between 6 and 8 months. Signs your infant has begun teething could include unusual irritability or fussiness, excessive crying or drooling, biting or mouthing and problems sleeping or eating. When a baby sucks at the breast or on a bottle nipple, the mouth movements boost blood flow to the gums, which in turn further increases the gum irritation and swelling. You can typically minimize the gum soreness that occurs during the teething process with a variety of remedies.
Medication
Medication provides a commonly used pain relief remedy for baby gums irritated and hurting from teething. Consider using over-the-counter liquid acetaminophen or ibuprofen if your infant is particularly fussy and irritable from teething pain, recommends MedlinePlus. Over-the-counter gum-numbing medication is also a pain relief option that some pediatricians recommend -- this type of pain relief typically comes in liquid form to be rubbed directly on the gums. If you opt to use an over-the-counter medication for teething pain, make sure you use an analgesic that is the proper strength for your infant, based on her age and weight; if you’re unsure regarding the exact dosage, consult with a pediatrician.
Home Remedies
Rubbing the irritated gums and applying a cold compress serve as readily available, convenient techniques that many parents use to reduce infant teething pain. To rub the swollen gums, place a clean finger inside the infant’s mouth and gently massage back and forth across the irritated, reddened tissue, says Dr. Steven Shelov, pediatrician and author of “Caring for Your Baby and Young Child.” If you’d rather use cold to help minimize the irritation, wring out a cold, clean washcloth and fold it before allowing your baby to chew on the cool material. Never let your infant chew on a frozen teething ring or washcloth, since the reduced temperature could actually damage the gum tissue.
Herbal Remedies
Certain herbal teething pain relief formulations are available for purchase in brick-and-mortar and online pharmacies and drugstores; these typically contain chamomilla as an active ingredient and are in granule or tablet form. Or consider creating a teething tea by blending 1/2 oz. each of dried chamomile flowers, dried catnip, dried lavender flowers and dried lemon balm; steep a tablespoon of the herb mixture in a cup of hot water for 15 to 20 minutes, recommends Dr. Aviva Jill Romm, author of “Naturally Healthy Babies and Children.” Apply the tea to your baby’s gums by dipping a washcloth in the tea blend and allowing your baby to suck on it. As a precaution, always check with a pediatrician before using any herbal remedies for teething, especially in a baby under 1 year old.
References
- “Counseling the Nursing Mother”; Judith Lauwers, et al.; 2010
- MedlinePlus: Teething
- “Caring for Your Baby and Young Child”; Dr. Steven Shelov; 2005
- “Your Baby’s First Year Week by Week”; Dr Glade Curtis, et al.; 2010
- “New Medicine”; Dr. David Peters, et al.; 2007
- “Naturally Healthy Babies and Children”; Dr. Aviva Jill Romm; 2003
