出牙– a painful yet necessary milestone in your baby’s early life. Though every child is different, many experience similar signs of teething.Many of us at 夏洛特儿科牙科are parents, too, so we know what you and your little one are going through. We’ve come up with some tips to help making the teething months a little more bearable.How to tell your baby is teethingThe signs of teething are unmistakable, though some babies manage to go through the teething phase without any real pain or symptoms. Here are a few common signs of teething:Excessive droolingLow grade fever (less than 101 degrees)Gum rubbingChewing and biting on any object they can – clothes, toys, fists, etc.Increased irritabilityOuter mouth rash (caused by excess drooling)A common mistake many of us make is to chalk up almost all symptoms to teething. If your baby’s fever is accompanied by runny nose, cough, noticeable ear pain, or anything else out of the ordinary, note that these symptoms are not caused by teething.When does teething start?Babies typically start the teething process around 4 – 6 months old. Though the first few months of teething can be unbearable for babies and parents, the teething process is inherently important for language development, immunity strengthening, bone development, and the ability to consume nutritious foods.Alleviating teething painAs parents, we often have a hard time seeing our little one in pain, especially when they are too young to communicate the exact problem. Though we can’t completely stop the painful process of teething, there are ways to alleviate the discomfort.Chewing on a clean, wet, cool washclothGum massage (make sure you thoroughly wash your hands first)Chilled teething toysDry up excess drool to avoid mouth rashesOTC (over-the-counter) remedies – check with your pediatrician firstGo for cold, not frozenFrozen teething toys may be too cold for your baby’s sensitive gums. Put solid teething toys in the refrigerator instead of the freezer. Though solid toys are preferred over the liquid-filled plastic teething toys, those are acceptable when used under parental supervision.Some foods your baby may enjoy during teething are chilled applesauce, teething biscuits, and cold pureed fruit.Keep teething objects cleanOnce your baby feels comforted and soothed by their teething toy, they will lose interest in it and move on to the next thing. Make sure you sanitize teething toys between each session. Lack of sanitation can cause an infection.Call your pediatric dentistYour child should see their trusted pediatric dentist after their first tooth erupts. Typically, the bottom two front teeth are the first to erupt (sometimes they come in one at a time).Your baby’s teeth and gums will be examined at the first appointment. Keeping their teeth and gums healthy from the beginning gives them a better chance of healthier smiles in the years to come!
