When babies are born, they have all 20 primary teeth laying beneath the gum line. While you might be enjoying their precious, gummy smile, before you know it, their pearly whites will begin to erupt somewhere between 6-12 months of age. When this happens, you might find that your baby is much more irritable. After all, who enjoys the feeling of teeth pushing through soft tissue? In order to help your child through this normal occurrence, find out which infant teething remedies work and which ones you should avoid.
Which Remedies Can Ease the Pain?
All babies are different, and while some may experience little to no pain while teething, this is certainly not the majority. Most infants become irritable, fussy, lose their appetite, and drool enough to soak through multiple shirts. It is highly unlikely you will move through this process without wiping away a few tears from both you and your child’s face, but to make it more manageable, here are a few remedies that can help:
- Gently rub or massage your baby’s gums with a clean finger or piece of gauze. This will place just enough pressure on their soft tissues to alleviate some of the discomfort.
- Purchase teething toys that your child can chew on. This will encourage their teeth to make the final push through the gums.
- Place their teethers into the refrigerator, as the cool temperature can numb their gums and provide relief.
- Let your baby eat soft foods like applesauce.
- Keep your child’s face as clean as you can since drooling will be almost constant.
Which Remedies Should be Avoided?
While there are many tips and techniques you can use to calm your baby, there are also other methods that can be harmful to your child’s oral and overall health. These include:
- Using teethers filled with fluid. While these are promoted as great toys to place in the freezer, the liquid inside can be toxic to your child and filled with harmful chemicals. Choose a solid teether instead.
- Allowing your child to chew on items that can be breakable or present a choking hazard. Be mindful of the toy size when presenting it to your child for teething purposes.
- Using gels and liquids to numb their gums that contain benzocaine. Although it can alleviate discomfort, it can be extremely harmful to your baby.
If you are unsure if a toy, ointment, or product is safe for your baby, check with your child’s pediatrician or dentist. It is always best to seek the advice of a professional before attempting to just “try it out.” By adhering to the useful and beneficial teething remedies provided, you and your baby will be more at ease during the process, and before you know it, you will see a mouth full of beautiful teeth smiling back at you.
About the Author
If your little one is transitioning from that beautiful gummy smile to a mouth full of pearly whites, Dupont Family Dentistry can help you and your baby get through this difficult time. Teething is a process we all must endure, but with the right techniques and tips, it can be a much less painful process. If you are in need of assistance or help, do not be afraid to contact us at (253) 964-7000.