Like the first rollover or word, a baby’s teething is an important growth milestone that excites parents. Watching the baby’s first teeth erupt is a delight. Yet, babies may become irritable as teeth erupt, and it is hard to watch as a parent. If you are looking for safe baby teething remedies to comfort your little one, then this article is for you. Read on to learn more about teething, its duration, and symptoms. Discover tips to comfort your baby and care for their new teeth.
What is Teething?
Teething is the process when a baby's first teeth (primary or milk teeth) start to come out through the gumline. It often occurs in stages and may make the baby uncomfortable. It is important that the parents look for signs baby is teething and care for them better. So, when do babies start teething? Teething typically begins around the 6th month. Yet, some babies may start teething as early as 3 months, while some may not have a tooth until their first birthday.
Every individual develops two sets of teeth in their lifetime—primary and permanent teeth. Primary teeth, also called milk teeth or baby teeth, are the first set of teeth that erupt. As the child grows, they eventually fall out and get replaced by permanent teeth.
How Long Does Teething Last?
A baby will be born with all 20 milk teeth below their gum line. They usually start coming out when the child is about six months old, the typical baby teething age. Early baby teething may happen in the third month. Some babies may not have their first tooth erupt until 12 months of age. However, these situations are not a matter of concern, as the teething period can vary from child to child.
Often, the entire set of milk teeth will have erupted in place by the time a baby is 3 years old. If you are wondering which baby teeth come in first, it is usually the two bottom front teeth, the lower central incisors. A baby teething chart can help parents understand baby teething stages and the usual order in which different teeth erupt.
Common Symptoms of Teething in Babies
Signs of teething may differ among babies. Some may experience teething pain or tender gums, lasting for weeks. Does teething cause fever in babies? Teething may cause a mild temperature rise due to gum irritation. You may have to be cautious while exploring various solutions for baby teething fever. However, a high fever may indicate an underlying issue that requires immediate medical care.
Here are the common baby teething symptoms that parents may watch out for:
Drooling more than usual and rash around the mouth
Trying to chew on fingers or toys, or rubbing hard objects on the baby's gums
Red or swollen gums
Increased fussiness and wakefulness in the night
Loss of appetite
Another common question parents ask is, "Can teething cause diarrhea in babies?" Sometimes, teething may cause loose stools. However, persistent diarrhea may be a sign of infection and must be checked by the child's healthcare provider.
How to Comfort a Teething Baby?
If you are wondering how to soothe a teething baby, there are many natural baby teething remedies to consider. Night-time can be especially hard for both the baby and the parents. While considering how to soothe a teething baby at night, you may try calming bedtime routines like a warm bath, soft lullabies, a gentle rocking motion, and a quiet room for better sleep.
While over-the-counter teething relief options exist, not all are safe. If natural home remedies are not helping comfort your teething baby, it is best to seek professional care.
Natural Baby Teething Remedies
There is more you can do than just cuddling and gently rocking your fussy baby during the teething period. When considering what to do for teething baby at home, some safe and natural remedies can come in handy. These include:
Cool Teething Ring: A cool (not frozen), clean teething ring or teether can help soothe the baby’s sore gums. Gnawing on the ring may provide a little pain relief. The coolness of a refrigerated teething ring can act as an anesthetic, numbing the pain temporarily.
Refrigerated Spoon: If you do not have a teething ring, you may use a clean spoon instead. Refrigerate the spoon until it is cool, and then gently rub the baby’s gums with it.
Cooled Pacifier: You may also cool the pacifier in the refrigerator and let the baby suck on it for relief.
Gum Massage: One of the simplest home remedies for teething babies is a gum massage. You may rub your baby’s gums with a clean finger. For an anesthetic effect of the cold, you may use a cool, clean, and wet washcloth or gauze pad to rub the baby’s tender gums.
Other Teething Relief Options
When natural baby teething remedies do not seem to help, you may be curious to consider other safe teething relief options. Though teething gels or pain relievers are available, they can be safe only under medical supervision. It is best to follow a pediatrician’s advice to make sure you are using the safest option for your baby.
Meanwhile, watch out for what you feed your toddler. Use soft and cool foods that can help soothe the child’s tender gums and avoid irritating them.
Teething Remedies You Should Avoid
Not all teething remedies are safe for your baby. While they may seem like solutions that give your baby immediate relief from discomfort, some of them can be potentially harmful. So, it is vital to exercise caution. It is ideal to avoid the following:
Teething tablets or teething gels: Over-the-counter teething gels and tablets often contain benzocaine or lidocaine. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prohibits the use of this compound for young children under the age of 2, as it may lead to rare but dangerous health problems. The FDA also warns against using some homeopathic teething tablets.
Plastic teethers or liquid-filled teething rings: Teething rings filled with liquid or made of plastic are likely to break easily and can potentially cause a choking hazard. Teething rings or teethers made of food-grade silicone or natural, firm rubber are safer.
Teething necklaces, toys, or bracelets: Tough teething toys, bracelets, or necklaces can be a fancy distraction for your baby; they pose a risk of choking or strangulation hazard.
Applying alcohol or kitchen staples like honey to your child’s gums can be unsafe. It is best not to use adult pain reliever medicines for babies, as they can potentially cause side effects. Always choose a safe and baby-friendly method to soothe your little one or talk to your pediatrician for proper guidance.
How to Care for Your Baby’s First Teeth?
Caring for the new teeth is as important as finding safe baby teething remedies to soothe the teething toddler. However, it is vital to take good care of the baby gums before teeth come through. The following tips can help:
Keep the baby’s mouth clean. Gently wipe the gums using a wet washcloth or gauze pad after every meal.
Check the teething baby gums regularly. If they look red or swollen, gently massage them using a clean, wet washcloth.
Once baby teeth eruption begins, it is essential to start daily dental care habits for your child. The following tips can promote good oral health for your toddler:
Clean the baby's teeth by gently brushing them twice daily. You may use a soft-bristled baby-friendly toothbrush and water. This helps remove residues of milk, juice, and solid foods and keeps the teeth clean.
For children under the age of 2, you may use a rice-grain-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste for brushing. A formula specially designed for toddlers can work safely to protect the teeth from decay.
Once the baby develops teeth that are adjacent to each other, you may use a small strand of dental floss to gently clean between the teeth. This helps remove food residues trapped in difficult areas and under the gums.
Avoid sugary snacks and drinks, and do not let the baby sleep with a bottle of milk or juice. This helps reduce the risk of tooth decay.
When to See a Dental Professional
When your toddler is teething, most symptoms are normal and manageable at home with safe and trusted remedies. However, if these remedies do not comfort your little one, it is best to seek professional care. A dental professional can examine your baby’s mouth for possible issues and guide you on proper dental care. Professional care is crucial if:
The baby shows symptoms like high fever or diarrhea
There is swelling in the baby’s face or bleeding of the gums
No tooth has erupted by the time the baby is 12 -14 months old
Teething is not only a time to soothe your baby’s discomfort, it also marks the beginning of a lifetime of good oral hygiene. Though it can be uncomfortable for both babies and parents, safe baby teething remedies can help ease this phase. Schedule a dental appointment if the teething symptoms are not manageable or once the first tooth erupts. Starting proper oral care habits early on can help your toddler have a healthy smile in the long term.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is baby head hot during teething?
A slight rise in body temperature is common in teething babies due to gum irritation. However, a high fever may indicate an underlying problem that needs medical attention.How to calm a baby during teething?
You may gently massage the baby's gums using wet, clean fingers or a washcloth. You may also offer a cool teething ring made of rubber to chew on.What to avoid when baby is teething?
Avoid teething gels and adult pain reliever medicines, breakable teething toys or necklaces, and sugary foods.What is the best natural remedy for teething?
Gently massaging the baby's gums with a clean finger or a wet washcloth, or gently pressing a chilled spoon on the gums, are safe and natural remedies you can consider.
