Is your baby teething? Understanding when your baby should begin teething is important to ensure he/she develops with a healthy and attractive smile. The primary teeth are the first to appear in a baby's mouth, and they do so in the first few months of his/her life, but the permanent teeth will take years to show up.
Teething is when your child's baby or primary teeth begin to cut through the gums and become noticeable in the mouth. While teething is a normal stage in your baby's development, sometimes it can be uncomfortable and painful for the toddler. Understanding when to expect your baby's first tooth and what you can do to lessen the discomfort is vital.
Understanding Teething Syndrome
When a baby's first set of primary or deciduous teeth pierce or break through the gums, they naturally experience teething syndrome, also known as teething. Generally, babies will begin teething between six and twelve months. However, for some babies, the teething process could start late when they turn one year old or early when he/she is three (3) months old.
The specific order in which babies' teeth erupt could vary from one baby to another. Nonetheless, according to the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics), most children will have their complete set of twenty (20) primary teeth before their third birthday or by the age of three (3) years.
While having teeth is a vital milestone on a child's development journey, many parents anticipate this stage with a mixture of worry and excitement because of the possible discomfort and pain associated with this process. However, the teething process could differ from child to child and be painless for your baby.
Additionally, you can take steps to ease the discomfort associated with this process, and several signs can tell you when it is time to see a pediatrician.
The Stages of Teething
As mentioned in the previous paragraph, when and how a baby’s first teeth come in could vary from one child to another. However, most babies' teeth will begin to cut through the gum line at six months.
Usually, a baby’s two bottom incisors (the lower two front teeth) are the first to emerge above the gumline between six and ten months of age. Then, the opposite two front teeth will emerge at nine to twelve months, and two on either side of the top two front teeth emerge when your child is between nine and thirteen months old.
Next, you will notice the last pair of incisors on the lower jaw when your child is between ten and sixteen months. After that, all other teeth beneath your child's gum line will begin to emerge, usually in pairs, one on each side of his/her lower and upper jaws until they become twenty in total (ten teeth in the lower jaw and ten teeth in the upper jaw).
Generally speaking, your child should have a complete set of primary teeth by the age of three years. Shortly after the child turns four years old, his/her facial bones and jaw will grow to create spaces between his/her primary teeth.
The spaces between your child's teeth at this stage are nothing to worry about because they provide the necessary space for your permanent teeth to cut through your gums. Generally, between the ages of six and twelve, your child will have a mixture of permanent and primary teeth in his/her mouth.
Why is it Important to Care for My Child’s Teeth When They Fall Out After Some Years?
While primary teeth remain in your child's mouth temporarily, they play a crucial role in your mouth in several ways, including:
- They help reserve space for your child's permanent teeth
- They help your child develop clear speech
- They give the child’s face a typical shape
- They help your child maintain excellent nutrition because they help him/her chew food
- They help give your child a healthy start as he/she develops permanent teeth
After some years, you should expect your child's teeth to fall out to create space for the permanent teeth he/she grows up with. Caring for them during this stage is vital for the reasons mentioned above. For example, when you fail to care for a child's primary teeth, he/she could experience tooth decay, creating dark spots on the permanent teeth underneath the gum line.
While not all babies develop all 32 permanent teeth because the third molars could be absent or fail to erupt, most will have their complete set of permanent teeth by the age of twenty-one.
Prevalent Symptoms of Teething You Need to Watch Out For
While teething symptoms could vary from one baby to another. Some babies experience few or no symptoms as their primary teeth cut through their gums. However, some babies could experience one or two of the following symptoms once this natural process of teething begins:
Excessive Drooling
While drooling is common and natural with toddlers, it becomes excessive when their primary teeth begin to break through the gums. Since this excessive saliva could irritate your baby’s chin and mouth, you should understand how to minimize these effects once your baby starts drooling.
Fussiness and Irritability
The teething process could make your baby’s gums sore, leading to more irritability issues during this process. Your baby could also become more fussy than usual, making him/her experience sleeping challenges.
Biting and Chewing Problems
Your baby could try to lessen the discomfort associated with teething by biting and chewing objects or his/her fingers. When you notice this, you do not have to worry because it is a normal and natural way for babies to reduce the soreness of their gums.
Swollen and Red Gums
It is possible for the gums surrounding your child's first teeth to swell, become sensitive, and turn red during teething. Sometimes you will notice a tiny white bump at the specific position where the emerging tooth is positioned to cut through his/her gum surface.
Changes in The Baby’s Eating Habits
The teething process could affect your baby’s eating habits and appetite. Due to the pain and discomfort associated with this process, your baby could become less interested in bottle-feeding or breastfeeding. Also, sometimes he/she could want to suck to lessen the discomfort.
Interrupted Sleep
The pain and discomfort associated with the teething process could cause sleep disruptions. That means your child could experience difficulty falling asleep or wake up frequently at night.
Crying
As a natural response to the discomfort and pain associated with teething as the primary teeth cut through the gums, your baby could cry frequently.
If you notice any of these symptoms in your baby, it could be the ideal time for him/her to see a pediatrician. A pediatrician can help ensure your baby grows up with healthy teeth and a smile, especially if you are a new mom. It is worth noting that, while the above mentioned symptoms are common when a baby is teething, they could also be indicators of other underlying health problems.
If you are unsure of the cause of your baby’s symptoms, consult a pediatrician. Also, you should consult with your baby’s pediatrician as soon as possible if he/she has an extreme fever or any of the symptoms listed below:
- Rash
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Fever
Remedies and Pain Relief Tips During Your Baby’s Teething Process
As a parent, it is natural to worry about your baby's teething issues, but there are many steps you can take to make this process comfortable for him/her and yourself. Explained below are some helpful tips to soothe your baby when he/she is teething:
Gently Rub Your Baby’s Gums
Using a washcloth, a moist gauze pad, or your clean fingertips to rub your baby's gums for about two minutes can help lessen the discomfort caused by the teething process.
Cool Your Baby's Gums Using Cold Items
Anything cold can help numb the pain and discomfort your baby is experiencing as his/her primary teeth emerge above the gumline. Chill teething pacifiers, wet washcloths, or rings in the refrigerator and use them to soothe your baby's gums. However, you should avoid frozen items because they are too hard for a baby's mouth and could cause frostbite on your child's gums.
Feed the Baby Breast Milk
Aside from providing your child the nutrition he/she needs to grow healthy, breastfeeding can help soothe your loved one's sore gums and lessen the discomfort caused by teething. However, if your baby seems uncomfortable while breastfeeding, you should try bottle-feeding him/her.
Give the Baby Some Water
If your baby is over six months old, you can offer him/her cool water from a sippy cup. Sipping cool water frequently can help soothe his/her sore gums.
Use Teething Toys
Using teething toys could also help soothe your teething baby. You should, however, look for BPA-free varieties that are safe for your baby to chew on. However, you should avoid tying the teething toy around your young one's neck because it is a choking hazard. Also, you should clean his/her teething toys and washcloth after the baby uses them.
Use Teething Medicine
If your baby is very cranky and he/she is at least two months old, you can give him/her a small dose of children's pain reliever, like acetaminophen (Tylenol), to help lessen teething symptoms. However, if he/she is six years or older, you can use ibuprofen to alleviate the discomfort associated with the teething process.
Also, before you give your baby any over-the-counter medication, you should consult with a pediatrician and follow his/her instructions when giving the baby any dose.
Give Your Baby Teething Biscuits
Giving your baby teething biscuits to chew on when he/she starts eating solid foods will help their teeth pierce the gums. However, you should supervise him/her while chewing these biscuits because big chunks could break off easily and choke him/her.
Offer Your Baby Cold Foods
If your baby is already consuming solid foods, offering him/her cold foods, like yogurt or applesauce, could help relieve the bothersome symptoms associated with teething.
Distract the Baby With Playtime or Music
Sometimes, one of the best ways to help lessen the discomfort associated with teething is by distracting the baby with music, playtime, or his/her favorite toys.
Ensure Everything is Clean
Maintaining your baby's oral hygiene can also help lessen the discomfort caused by teething. You can do that by using a soft-bristled baby toothbrush to brush his/her teeth. Repeating this habit frequently can help establish your baby's foundation for excellent dental care.
When your baby is teething, you should remain supportive and patient throughout the process. Remember, teething is a phase in his/her development and will pass. However, seek the guidance of a pediatrician immediately if your baby's teething symptoms are severe.
You should also consult a pediatrician when you have doubts about how teething symptoms manifest and how to reduce or manage them when your baby reaches that stage. A pediatrician can assess your baby's condition and offer you personalized advice on how to soothe his/her teething symptoms.
Generally speaking, staying in touch with your baby's pediatrician when his/her teeth emerge above the gumline is crucial to ensure he/she grows up with excellent dental health. Tooth decay is the most chronic disease of early childhood, but with the help of a pediatrician, your baby can avoid this issue.
Find a Credible Dentist Near Me
Teething is a natural stage of a baby's development, but for some, this phase could be painful and bothersome. However, using the abovementioned remedies, you can help lessen the discomfort and make this phase easy for you and the baby.
We invite you to call our reputable dentists at Lasting Impressions Dental Spa at 818-751-5100 if you have any concerns or questions about your baby's teething journey.
Our reliable dentist would gladly assist you during this vital stage of your child's development journey, wherever you are in Encino.
