What can I do to relieve the pain from my baby’s teething? Your baby is irritable and sleepless, has red and swollen gums, is heavily drooling, and is constantly rubbing and biting his/her gums… Does this sound familiar? It’s possible that your baby may be teething. Teething is the process of an infant’s primary teeth erupting through the gum line, beginning typically around the age of six months to one year. Primary teeth are necessary for a baby to learn how to chew and to speak, and to create space in the jaw for the eruption of permanent teeth later on in life. Teething can be extremely painful and uncomfortable for infants. However there are several remedies available in order to relieve the pain and discomfort:
- Use a clean finger or a small, cool spoon to gently rub and sooth your baby’s gums.
- Give your baby a clean teething ring or a teething toy to numb the pain temporarily. Placing the teething ring or toy in the fridge before giving it to your baby could also be beneficial to relieve the pressure.
- Cold food for your baby to chew on, such as applesauce, mashed frozen bananas or plums, can help alleviate your baby’s teething pains.
- You may give your baby pain killers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen if your baby is older than six months. If you’re unsure, consult with your dental practitioner or physician about your baby’s teething.
- You may use teething gels, which contain an anesthetic and an antiseptic, on your baby’s sore gums by rubbing it on with a clean finger or cotton cloth. Breastfeeding is not recommended just after putting on teething gels, as they may cause difficulty for your baby to feed properly. Make sure that your baby does not swallow any of the gel.
The process of your baby’s teething can continue for more than a year, however, the first five to seven months are the worst, as that is when your baby’s first teeth will appear. Your baby should have all of his/her teeth by the time he/she is two and a half to three years old. The symptoms could be mistaken for an ear infection or other ailments. You should consult with your physician or a dental practitioner at Florence Dentistry if you have any questions or concerns.
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