Helping Your Baby Through the Teething Process

Published: 20th January 2012
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When a baby begins to go through the teething process it can be
very painful for them and very frustrating for you as a parent trying
to provide some relief.



Most babies usually start teething around the age of 6 months.
Typically, the two lower front teeth will come in first, followed by
the two top front teeth.



Classic signs and symptoms of teething can include:



  1.   Drooling, which may begin about two months before the
    first tooth appears

  2.   Irritability or crankiness

  3.   Swollen gums

  4.   Chewing on solid objects


Researchers say that teething symptoms will occur in the mouth, but
should not show up anywhere else in the body. So, fevers or
diarrhea are not signs of teething as many parents often think.



Here are a few great remedies to help soothe those sore gums and help
your baby feel more comfortable.


  1. Rub your baby’s gums. Use a clean finger,
    moistened gauze pad or damp washcloth     to massage your baby’s
    gums. The pressure can ease your baby’s discomfort.

  2. Offer a teething ring. Try one made of firm rubber.

    The liquid-filled variety may break under the pressure of your baby’s
    chewing. If a bottle seems to do the trick, fill it with water.
    Prolonged contact with sugar from formula, milk or juice may cause
    tooth decay.

  3. Keep it cool.  A cold washcloth or chilled
    teething ring     can be soothing. Don’t give your baby a frozen
    teething ring, however. Contact with extreme cold may hurt, doing your
    baby more harm than good. If your baby’s eating solid foods, offer cold
    items such as applesauce or yogurt.

  4. Dry the drool. Excessive drooling is part of the teething
    process. To prevent skin irritation, keep a clean cloth
    handy to dry your baby’s chin. You might also make sure your baby
    sleeps on an absorbent sheet.

  5. Try an over-the-counter remedy. If your baby is especially
    cranky, acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen
    (Advil, Motrin, others) may help. Don’t give your baby products that
    contain aspirin, however, and be cautious about teething medications
    that can be rubbed directly on a baby’s gums. The medication may be

    washed away by your baby’s saliva before it has the chance to do any
    good — and too much of the medication may numb your baby’s throat,
    which may interfere with his or her normal gag reflex.


If you haven’t already been doing so, begin running a clean,
damp washcloth over your baby’s gums everyday. This can help
keep the bacteria from building up in your baby’s mouth.



When you see those first little teeth pop in, use a soft-bristled
toothbrush without toothpaste. Water is all you need until your
child learns to spit, which usually happens around age 2.



This is the time to start thinking about regular dental checkups. The
American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric
Dentistry recommend scheduling a child’s first dental visit after
the first tooth erupts and no later than his or her first
birthday. Your baby’s teeth and gums will also be examined at
well-baby checkups. Regular childhood dental care is very important and
can also help teach your child the importance of taking care of their
teeth.



Source:  mayoclinic.com/



Posted In: href="http://shannonmillerlifestyle.com/category/pregnancy-and-motherhood/motherhood">Motherhood
: 9/30/2011

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Source: http://shannonmiller.articlealley.com/helping-your-baby-through-the-teething-process-2407408.html


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