Did you know that your baby is born with 20 teeth under the gum line? Additionally, your baby’s first tooth usually appears between six months and one year of age.
When your infant starts teething, it can be a very challenging time. Follow these Snow Family Dentistry tips to help soothe your child during this trying period.
Signs Your Baby is Teething
If your baby is around 6 months old (timing varies), you may start noticing the following teething symptoms:
- Sore gums
- Drooling
- Irritability
- Low fever
- Chewing
- Diarrhea
- Drool rash around the mouth
It should be noted that if your baby has a temperature above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit and has diarrhea, you should speak to your doctor.
Soothing Methods
- Massage Your Baby’s Gums
Applying pressure to your infant’s gums may help ease the pain. To do this, wash your hands and massage your baby’s gums gently with your finger.
- Use a Cold Washcloth
Letting your child chew on a cold, damp washcloth can help ease their pain.
- Refrigerate Pacifier
Refrigerate your child’s pacifier to numb their gums and to relieve pain. Additionally, you can use this same method with solid teething toys.
- Create Milk Popsicles
Your child may stop eating when they are teething due to discomfort.
As a solution, we suggest finding popsicle molds and filling and freezing them with breast milk or formula.
- Wipe Away Drool
Babies have a tendency to drool while teething. This can cause a rash and further irritation if not wiped away quickly.
- Chill Fruit
If you have introduced your baby to solid foods, try freezing some types of foods to help soothe irritated gums. At Snow Family Dentistry, we recommend chilling mashed bananas.
- Snuggle Time
Sometimes the best way to help a baby in discomfort is some extra cuddle time. Rocking your baby in a big chair or carrying your baby around the house are great ways to soothe their discomfort.
- Pain Medications
As a last resort, you can talk to your doctor about providing over-the-counter pain medication. These medicines help alleviate pain and allow your baby to go to sleep.
Why Choose Snow Family Dentistry
Once your baby’s first tooth appears, the American Dental Association recommends scheduling your child’s first dental visit. Additionally, regular dental visits set the foundation for your child to have healthy gums and teeth.
At Snow Family Dentistry, pediatric dentistry is one of our many specialties! Click here to schedule an appointment with us today!
