Teething – easing the pain
Some babies are born with visible teeth, while others can take months for their first teeth to appear. While it’s true that some babies sail through teething without a care in the world, the majority do suffer from painful gums, as well as diarrhea and tummy upsets caused by the extra acidity in the mouth during teething.
Signs of teething include irritability, red cheeks and excessive dribbling. If your baby has been a good sleeper but suddenly starts waking it night it could be a sign he’s cutting his first tooth; other signs include gnawing his fingers or the insides of his cheeks. If your baby seems particularly cranky don’t just write his mood off as teething though – check he isn’t hungry, windy or running a fever.
If he is teething, you may be able to feel the ridge of the tooth just below your baby’s gum, and the gum may be red and swollen at this point. Usually, the first teeth to emerge are the bottom front teeth, followed by the top front teeth; then the upper and lower side teeth and upper and lower molars, followed by the upper and lower canines; with the second molars cutting through last of all.
How to ease the discomfort
- Give your baby something safe to chew on. Different types of teething aids are available, from the simple plastic teething ring to gel-filled teethers that can be cooled in the fridge to ease painful gums.
- Numbing gels that you rub onto your baby’s gums can also help ease the pain, and if you prefer a complementary approach you can try homeopathic granules.
- Try giving your baby chewy food, such as a raw carrot or a piece of toast, which can help ease the pain and also strengthens jaw muscles. Make sure the food you give does not pose a choking hazard and stay with your baby as long as he’s chewing on it.
- Massaging sore gums with your clean fingertip may help.
- Distract your baby from the discomfort of teething by offering a different toy or taking her into a different room if she gets cranky.
Remember that adults don’t cope with toothache very well and your baby might teethe for most part of his second year – patience, cuddles and teething aids are the best you can do for him.
The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.
Related Articles
Last Modified: 24/06/2008
Related Chat
You'll need to be logged in to post new Comments and Answers or to Chat.
Login or
Register