When should you be on the lookout for those first beautiful little choppers? Typically, the first tooth makes its appearance at around 6 months –although it may be as early as 3 months and as late as 1 year. The process typically concludes with all teeth erupting around the 3-year mark. First, it's the front incisors, then the molars, followed by the canines, with the back molars coming in last. As there are 20 total teeth to keep track of, many parents find a baby teething chart quite handy.
Every child is different and will thus experience different teething symptoms. While they could be one of the lucky ones who feel little pain and discomfort, you should be prepared for red, swollen, and sore gums. Some other signs are:
These are very common and can be treated with a little love and parental sense. However, if your child experiences vomiting, diarrhoea, and a high fever, contact your paediatrician immediately as these are not teething symptoms.
While your child may be enduring quite a few teething symptoms, there several teething remedies that counteract and relieve pain and discomfort, including:
Again, every baby is unique, so you may have to mix and match to find the best combination of remedies that works for your little one.
Keep in mind that while there are useful remedies like the above to help soothe teething's painful effects, there are also risky teething remedies that are not recommended by the American Academy of Paediatrics. They include:
Now that you know what to look for and what you should (and shouldn't) do to help your baby through their teething stage, remember that the one thing you should never run out of is patience. It's every parent's best friend.
This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.
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