During the first year, babies experience many important events. Teething is one such event. The teeth begin to grow even before that wonderful moment, as you can notice them, when the baby smiles at you again. If you manage to identify the signs of teething in a child in time, then you will be able to alleviate the discomfort caused by this.
Attention: the information in this article is for informational purposes only. Check with your pediatrician before using any method
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Physical Symptoms
Step 1. The first signs may appear as early as the age of three months
Milk teeth begin to grow at very different ages. In some babies, they begin to erupt at three months and protrude from the gums at 4-7 months. In most children, all 20 deciduous teeth grow by the age of three. Watch for signs of teething and examine your baby's mouth to relieve discomfort and clear bacteria from the mouth as needed.
Note that some babies show no signs of teething. In this case, you should examine the child's mouth and check if teeth appear from the gums
Step 2. Examine the child's mouth
If you suspect your toddler is teething, check to see if there are any signs indicating this. Examine the skin around the mouth and then look into the baby's mouth.
- Before examining your child's mouth, wash your hands thoroughly to avoid getting an infection.
- Check if saliva is flowing from the mouth and if it is too wet in the baby's mouth. An excessive amount of saliva indicates that the baby's teeth are beginning to erupt.
- Check for a rash on the baby's face or for any pink skin. When a tooth is erupting, a rash often appears on the face. These are not necessarily dark spots; the skin may appear pinker or redder than usual.
- Peel back the baby's lip slightly and examine his gums. The gums may be swollen, especially around the molars. Sometimes a buildup of fluid can be found that forms a bluish cyst. This is normal and does not require any additional measures.
- Massage your baby's gums to feel for teeth or hard spots. This will alleviate the baby's condition a little and help you figure out if his teeth are teething.
Step 3. Pay attention to excessive sucking and biting
For most children, certain physical symptoms precede the appearance of teeth. Many children bite and suck on fingers, toys, and other objects. If you notice that the child began to bite and suck on various objects more often, this may indicate that his teeth are beginning to erupt.
Check to see if the baby is rubbing the gums with anything that sucks and bites. Many children not only suck and bite on various objects, but also rub their gums with them when their teeth erupt
Step 4. Examine the child's ears
Children often associate teething pain with their ears. If you notice that, along with other symptoms, a child often pulls and tugs on his ears, this is a sign that he is teething.
- Be aware that children often pull and tug at their ears out of curiosity. However, it could be a sign of an ear infection. If you are not sure what is causing this behavior (teething or ear infection), check with your pediatrician as treatment may be necessary in the event of illness.
- An ear infection can be accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, colds, and restless behavior when the baby is touched by the ears, laid down, or fed from a bottle.
Step 5. Check the temperature
If your baby has pink or warm cheeks, he or she may have a fever due to teething. Note, however, that teething will only cause a slight rise in temperature. If your child has a high fever, it may be more than just teething. In this case, consult your pediatrician.
Part 2 of 3: Behavior changes
Step 1. Observe the child's mood
In addition to physical signs, teething can affect your child's behavior. The two most common symptoms are irritability and frequent crying.
- Notice that the child is more restless than usual and even irritable despite the fact that you try to calm him down. It can be caused by the pain and discomfort he feels when his teeth are teething. It is possible that restless and irritable behavior will increase in the evenings, as teeth erupt more actively at night.
- Listen to if your baby is crying more often than usual in the past few days. This could be a sign that he is teething, especially along with other symptoms. However, keep in mind that frequent crying can also be caused by gas, stomach cramps, or other health problems such as an ear infection.
Step 2. Pay attention to dietary changes
Teething causes discomfort in the baby's mouth, which can affect how he eats. Keep a close eye on how much your child eats - teething can affect his appetite.
- Watch for a preference for breast milk or formula from a bottle, even though he usually ate solid food before. This can be caused by a spoon or fork irritating sore gums. Conversely, the child may be more willing to eat solid food, since the spoon presses pleasantly on the gums and allows them to scratch.
- Your baby may refuse to breastfeed or bottle feed because it puts unpleasant pressure on the gums and ear canals while sucking.
- If the child refuses to eat, show it to the pediatrician. This can be caused by teething or other health problems. It is necessary for the doctor to examine the child, make the correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment.
Step 3. Track how the child sleeps
The teeth grow most actively at night, which can adversely affect the child's sleep. Pay attention to the child's behavior in the evenings - he may fall asleep worse and wake up more often. Sleep routines may also be disrupted. If this is accompanied by other symptoms, it is possible that the baby's teeth are starting to cut.
Be aware that teething can also increase the child's irritability and restlessness
Part 3 of 3: Easing Your Child's Condition
Step 1. Massage your baby's gums
Gently massaging the gums will help relieve your baby's discomfort. In addition, massaging your gums will allow you to feel for any teeth that are teething and identify possible problems.
- Wash your hands before massaging your gums. Rinse off any soap residue thoroughly to prevent your child from swallowing it.
- Massage your baby's gums with one or two fingers. Apply light pressure and rub your gums in a circular motion.
Step 2. Wipe the baby's mouth and gums with a cold washcloth
If you find any signs that your baby is teething, especially excessive salivation, wipe your mouth with a cool washcloth. This will not only help reduce discomfort, but it will also prevent rashes and remove bacteria from the mouth.
- Use a clean washcloth (pre-washed with an unscented detergent designed for sensitive skin) to avoid irritating baby's delicate skin and gums. Run a washcloth under cool or cold running water and squeeze out any excess water.
- Use a washcloth to wipe off any saliva from the baby's face and lips. After that, carefully open the baby's mouth and massage the gums with a tissue. This will help remove bacteria from your baby's mouth, lips, and face.
- Start massaging and brushing your baby's gums as early as possible. It is best to start doing this almost immediately after birth.
Step 3. Give your baby a teething toy
The child will be able to chew on such a toy and scratch the gums with it, which will ease the discomfort. You can use teething rings, toothpicks and so on - try several types of toys and choose the most appropriate.
- Place a damp washcloth in the refrigerator or freezer for 30 minutes, then let your child chew on it. Make sure that the tissue does not freeze, otherwise it can damage the swollen gums.
- Chill the teething ring in the refrigerator and give it to your child. Never put rubber teething rings in the freezer or boil them to sterilize. Extreme temperatures can damage rubber or plastic and release harmful substances from the ring. Also, never hang the ring around your baby's neck, as this can lead to suffocation.
Step 4. Give your child cold food and water
The cold helps to reduce the feeling of discomfort. Give your child cool drinks and food to help them feel better. This will help your baby eat more and get the nutrients it needs.
- If your baby is over six months old, give him a bottle of ice or ice water. If the baby is not yet six months old, you can give him a small amount (30-60 milliliters) of water without ice from a bottle or cup. Do not give your child water more than 1–2 times a day, unless your doctor recommends it.
- Give your child chilled food (yogurt, mashed peaches, or applesauce) to soothe itchy gums. You can also give your baby popsicles or frozen fruits such as bananas or plums in a mesh teat. Such a nipple will prevent the baby from choking on pieces of food. Only give your toddler biscuits and frozen or cold foods if they are already eating solid foods. In this case, the child should sit upright.
Step 5. Use pain relievers
If the baby is over six months old, the appropriate dose of ibuprofen or paracetamol can be given. If the baby is not yet six months old, paracetamol can be given on the recommendation of a doctor. Pain relievers can help relieve discomfort and irritability. Always check with your pediatrician before giving your child any pain relievers.
- Consider giving your child a formulation for children with ibuprofen or paracetamol. Observe the recommended dosage and if in any doubt consult your pediatrician.
- Remember that your child should never be given aspirin unless directed by a doctor. Aspirin can cause Reye's syndrome in children.
Step 6. Remember what to avoid
There are many remedies that can relieve teething discomfort, but there are some that should be avoided. Alcohol and toothache gels and tablets can harm your baby's health. Do not try to relieve teething discomfort by:
- do not put aspirin on your teeth or gums;
- do not wet the gums with alcohol;
- do not give your child toothache pills;
- Do not rub anesthetic dental gels into your teeth or gums, as some of them may contain substances hazardous to the baby;
- do not wear an amber necklace around the child's neck - this is useless and can cause suffocation;
- do not rub the gums of the child with vodka or whiskey, as this is dangerous to his health.
Step 7. Consult your dentist
If you are concerned about your child's teething, make an appointment with the dentist. He will examine your baby's mouth, identify possible problems and advise on how to avoid them.