Are you worried about your baby crying all the time? Questions are constantly spinning in your head, for example: "When do babies start teething?", "How long will it take?" and "How painful will this process be?" Don't worry, as every mother goes through this. There is no fixed teething template and the process will be different for each infant.
Teething is the process where a baby has milk teeth that cut through the gums. Many parents are naturally worried about the pain a baby might be experiencing. Knowing the early symptoms of teeth will help you prepare for this developmental stage.
The sequence of teeth appearance
Teeth begin to cut in most babies between 6 and 12 months. They appear in babies in pairs. The lower front teeth come first, and the upper front teeth usually erupt after a couple of months. The lateral lower and upper incisors then appear, followed by the first molars (teeth behind the canines), canines, and second molars. So, by the age of three, the child will have a set of 20 primary teeth.
| Age | Types of teeth |
| Four to seven months | Central lower incisors |
| Eight - twelve months | Central upper incisors |
| Nine - sixteen months | Lateral lower and upper incisors (near the median teeth) |
| One year | The child has a set of eight teeth |
| Thirteen to Nineteen Months | First molars (two at the top and two at the bottom) |
| Sixteen to twenty three months | Fangs (two at the top and two at the bottom) |
| From twenty three to thirty one months | Second molars (lower teeth appear first, and then upper teeth) |
This is a generalized graph of tooth growth, but not all babies will meet it. Some will be ahead of him, while others will lag behind him.
When should you worry if your child is not teething?
The average age at which teething begins is about six months. The appearance of teeth before six months is considered early. If the baby has no teeth before 13 months, then this is considered a delay.
Don't worry if the eruption is delayed; it varies from one child to the next. As long as your baby's hair, skin and bones are in good condition, there is nothing to worry about. Delayed teething does not indicate any problem in the child's overall development.
The appearance of teeth can be delayed due to:
- hereditary factor;
- poor nutrition;
- hypothyroidism (thyroid disease);
- premature birth.
However, if you believe there is no hereditary cause and the baby is getting adequate nutrition and teeth are not appearing, then you should consult your doctor. But first, pay attention to the signs that will tell you when a tooth might appear.
Symptoms
The level of pain a child experiences will be different for each toddler. Some children may suffer more than others when they have teething. Soreness and swelling of the gums before the appearance of the tooth is the reason for the discomfort that the infant experiences during this change. These symptoms usually begin about three to five days before the tooth comes out, and they go away when the tooth breaks through the gum.
Cholisal® triple action dental gel can be used to relieve the symptoms of teething. When applied topically, the active ingredients of the drug are absorbed through the mucous membrane of the oral cavity, helping to relieve pain and inflammation, as well as acting on viruses, fungi and pathogenic bacteria. The adhesive gel base helps to retain the active substances on the mucous membrane, prolonging their action¹.
It should be noted that Cholisal® gel does not contain lidocaine and can be recommended for patients with lidocaine intolerance. Unlike some other local antiseptic and anti-inflammatory drugs, Cholisal® can be used in both adults and children. It is important to be careful when using in children under one year old and consult a doctor first.
The signs of teething are as follows.
- Salivation. Teething babies tend to drool more than at other times because the progression of the tooth and the pain make them keep their mouth open for longer periods. Ultimately, there will be more drool than usual. A mild rash can develop due to irritation of the skin around the mouth caused by excessive drooling. If you notice that your baby's clothes are constantly damp, attach the baby bib and gently dry his chin throughout the day.
- Biting. The pressure of the teeth breaking through under the gums leads to severe discomfort, which can be relieved by pressing on the opposite side (chewing and biting). Teething babies will chew on whatever they find, from special toys and rattles, to mother's nipples while breastfeeding and fingers.
- Irritation. Painful gums and teething teeth cause discomfort, and you will find that your little one gets irritated too easily and is fussy in most cases.
- Swollen gums. When teeth are cut, they usually cut through the gums, causing them to swell. If the baby's gums are swollen and sore, this is a sign that a new tooth will soon grow.
- Grabbing the ears. Another sign of pain; the pain in the mouth radiates all over the child's head, so they pull on their ears, suggesting that this will lead to relief.
- Crying, restless night sleep, and mild fever. Also associated with teething. Babies may even refuse to eat because of the pain.
- Teeth visible inside the gum. The most obvious sign that babies are teething is teething along the lower jaw.
Symptoms usually go away on their own, but a doctor should be notified if they worsen or persist. Teething can cause symptoms in the mouth and gums, but the process does not cause problems in other parts of the body.
The type and severity of these manifestations varies greatly from child to child - for example, in one, teething brings a lot of pain and tears, while another can survive the process without complaints. But you can probably see at least some and possibly many of the above symptoms.
How to distinguish between symptoms of tooth appearance and signs of illness?
It is likely an illness if your child:
- is too fussy that you cannot calm him down. The phrase "teething" suggests that the baby will have unbearable pain, but it is quite mild. A little extra fuss is fine. But, if your child is crying so much that he cannot sleep or calm down, see a doctor;
- has a high temperature. A fever of 38 ° C or higher is likely an indication of infection.
A child with a cutting tooth constantly puts his hands in his mouth, as a result of which an infection can enter the body, causing the disease;
- refuses any food (solids and liquids). Some children avoid hard foods when a new tooth makes its way. But, if the baby also refuses to breastfeed or take a bottle in the mouth, talk to the pediatrician;
- has a runny nose, cough, vomiting, or diarrhea. There is no evidence that teething leads to any of these problems. Most likely, these manifestations indicate that the child is sick;
- has a rash not only on the face. Often, profuse drooling results in a rash around the mouth, but if the rash spreads to the trunk, arms, or legs, it could be due to illness;
- symptoms last for more than a few days. Teething can cause irritation, swelling of the gums and a mildly high temperature, but only on the days before and after the appearance of the tooth.
Therefore, if the child is feeling unwell for several days in a row, and you still cannot see the tooth, there is probably something else bothering the baby.
Studies show that runny nose, vomiting, diarrhea, high fever (over 38.9 ° C)
not associated with teething. One study found that these manifestations were not significantly associated with the appearance of teeth. In addition, no single set of symptoms has been found to accurately predict the onset of eruption.
Pediatricians explain that the child's passive immunity from maternal antibodies disappears at this time, and the baby is exposed to a wide range of pathogens. Thus, it is likely that vomiting or diarrhea in a child has a different etiology.
Remedies for soothing pain in a child
It is painful for a parent to see a child suffering from pain. You can help him get some relief through these remedies.
Simple tricks
Gum pain is often relieved by gentle pressure. Therefore, many experts advise gently rubbing the gums with a clean finger or letting the child bite a clean cloth.
If pain is causing problems with feeding, sometimes a different nipple shape or cup can reduce discomfort and improve nutrition.
Cold
Cold objects can also help reduce inflammation. Using special teething rings can be helpful. Experienced parents have found that using a chilled damp sponge, cold pacifier, spoon, frozen bananas can be effective in reducing discomfort.
Avoid prolonged contact of extremely cold objects with the gums. Also, never put objects that could cause suffocation (small parts) into your child's mouth.
Use of pain relievers
There is controversy surrounding the use of these remedies for teething:
- although some parents approve of topical medications, studies have not always shown their benefits. In May 2011, the FDA issued a warning to avoid the use of topical preparations containing an anesthetic called benzocaine. Benzocaine is the main ingredient found in many over-the-counter gels and sprays. An FDA warning points to a link to a rare but extremely dangerous complication called methemoglobinemia. In this condition, the ability of red blood cells to deliver oxygen throughout the body is significantly limited, which can lead to serious consequences and even death. In children with methemoglobinemia, pallor, suffocation, and heart rate increase. This reaction can appear on first use or after several exposures to benzocaine. A child with these symptoms should be taken to the admission department of the nearest hospital;
- systemic medications such as paracetamol or ibuprofen will also help with pain. Check with your pediatrician regarding the use of these and other medicines. Care should be taken not to overdo it. The medicine can mask important symptoms that are necessary to understand the child's condition;
- homeopathic remedies and other traditional methods are widely used, there is limited research on their true effectiveness. Using clove oil, licorice sticks, fennel, green onions, olive oil, ginger root, and chamomile can be effective.
How long does the pain last?
There is no fixed time for teething. After the first incisor appears and the pain subsides, the baby will feel discomfort again as the molars push through the gums. Large teeth can cause more discomfort and pain than front teeth because they are large and located at the back of the alveolar bone of the jaw.
How to care for baby teeth
Primary (milk) teeth need the same quality care as permanent ones. Early oral hygiene will help prevent tooth decay.
Here are some tips for caring for your baby's oral cavity.
- Clean your baby's gum line with gauze or a soft cloth.
- Provide separate cutlery (bowl, spoon and fork) for your child. Do not allow others to use these utensils, as this can lead to infection.
- Give your child foods rich in vitamins and minerals. Your baby needs calcium, fluoride, phosphorus and vitamin C for healthy teeth and gum development.
- Avoid sugary foods and drinks as they damage teeth.
- Teach your child to drink from a glass, not from a bottle. Drinking from bottles leads to tooth decay, as the slow flow of milk and juices builds up in the baby's mouth and stays there for a long time.
- Once your child is 18 months old, you can start brushing their teeth.
How to clean baby teeth?
- Dentists recommend using fluoride toothpaste after your baby's first tooth appears. But the amount of paste on the brush should be the size of a grain of rice up to the age of three.
- After three years, the amount can be increased to the size of a pea.
- Too much or too little fluoride can be bad for children's teeth. Too much can cause a condition called fluorosis, a common disorder characterized by erosion of the tooth enamel.
- Fluoride deficiency leads to dental caries, a condition in which a tooth decays over time due to acid-forming bacteria and saliva-fermented carbohydrates. Caries develops in the crowns and roots of teeth and affects the primary teeth of infants.
- Replace your child's toothbrush every three months to avoid bacterial infection. Following a consistent brushing routine will help your child get used to oral hygiene at an early stage.
Conclusion
- For many children, teething is relatively painless.
- The first tooth can appear at any time from 3 to 15 months, with most babies erupting between 4 and 7 months.
- If the appearance of a tooth is causing symptoms, it usually happens about 4 days before and about 3 days after it comes out.
- Serious signs, especially high fever or vomiting, usually indicate disease and are not associated with teething.
- Do not overuse anesthetic gels and systemic medications.
[1] Instructions for the medical use of the medicine Cholisal®. There are contraindications. It is necessary to read the instructions or consult a specialist.
