As your precious baby develops his first tooth, you will feel happy and proud of your child and no doubt share the news on your social media pages. While this is a major milestone in your baby’s development, be reminded that the arrival of new teeth in a baby’s mouth can lead to some rough nights. The process can be uncomfortable for your child as teeth begin to emerge from their soft gums. This can lead to sleepless nights for both baby and parents during the process.
There are some telltale signs that new teeth are on their way. Your baby will likely begin to salivate more as the growth process of teething begins, and you may find that they tend to bite down on things more often. Flushed cheeks and swollen gums are also indicators that teeth are on their way. Behavioral problems may include lack of sleep, lack of appetite and overall irritability.
The growing process for any baby will involve an acclimation to various food and environmental conditions, not to mention general behavioral development issues and some parents make the mistake of attributing a lot of negative behavior to the teething process. In reality however, this is a natural process that does not contribute to many legitimate behavioral problems.
Your baby’s teething process should begin around the age of 6 months, but this is a very general timeframe. The truth is that some babies are actually born with some teeth showing, while others won’t show any teeth until their first birthday. You can rest assured that by your child’s third birthday, they will have a full set of teeth developed.
The discomfort associated with the teething process will vary greatly as well, and some children will tolerate it better than others will. Parents cannot do anything to speed this process along, but there are things parents can do to make the process less uncomfortable for the child. Soft teething rings are the most common solution as they provide a gentle surface for the baby to bite down on which will help with some of the discomfort. Keeping a teething ring refrigerated will also aid in relief, as the cool feel will help to eliminate discomfort. In addition, teething gels are available which can be applied directly to the gums, or to a teething ring to help provide a soothing feeling for your baby.
If it appears that your baby is suffering from pain associated with teething, you should have your pediatrician examine your child to determine if there are any serious issues. For severe problems, pain medication can be prescribed.
If you have questions about your newborn, toddler, child or teen be sure to call us at Brenham Family Dentistry. We have great care and concern for the well-being of your child. Our friendly and helpful staff is always ready to provide advice and top quality dental care for your children.