As a new parent, experiencing your baby’s first tooth erupting can be both exciting and overwhelming. Teething is a natural developmental milestone that all babies go through, but it can also come with its fair share of challenges.
To help you navigate this important stage in your baby’s life, we’ll look at what to expect when your little one starts teething and answer the following questions:
- When do teeth arrive?
- What are the signs and potential symptoms of teething?
- Does teething really cause pain?
- What are safe medications and remedies that can be used to help with symptoms, and which ones should be avoided?
When Does Teething Begin?
Teething typically begins around 6 months of age, although it can vary from baby to baby. Some babies may start teething as early as 3 months, while others may not show any signs of teething until after their first birthday. The order in which teeth erupt can also vary, but most babies will have their first tooth, usually a lower front tooth, between 6 to 10 months of age. Baby teeth continue to erupt until 2.5 to 3 years of age, when they receive their second set of baby molars.
What Are the Signs of Teething?
Teething can cause a range of symptoms in babies. It’s important to note that not all babies will experience the same symptoms, and some may have no noticeable signs at all. Common signs of teething include:
- Drooling: Increased drooling is often one of the first signs of teething. Your baby may have excessive drool that may cause skin irritation around the mouth and chin.
- Gnawing and Chewing: Babies may start to gnaw on their fingers, toys, or other objects in an attempt to soothe their gums. They may also chew on their own fists or rub their gums with their fingers.
- Irritability and Fussiness: Teething can cause discomfort and pain, which may make your baby more irritable and fussy than usual. Your baby may be more difficult to soothe and may cry more frequently.
- Swollen Gums: Teething can cause the gums to become red, swollen, and sensitive. You may notice that your baby’s gums are more prominent than usual, especially where the teeth are erupting.
- Sleep Disturbances: Some babies may experience disrupted sleep patterns during teething. They may wake up more frequently during the night or have trouble settling down for naps.
- Changes in Eating Habits: Babies may have a decreased appetite during teething due to the discomfort in their gums. They may also refuse to breastfeed or bottle-feed or have changes in their eating patterns.
- Ear Pulling and Cheek Rubbing: Some babies may pull on their ears or rub their cheeks in response to teething discomfort. However, it’s important to note that not all ear pulling or cheek rubbing is necessarily related to teething and may indicate other issues that require medical attention.
Many things get blamed on teething, and some may be completely unrelated.
It is important to note that the following symptoms are not associated with teething: Fever, diarrhea, vomiting, Rash
These are more likely to be associated with bacterial infection. If they persist for more than a day or 2, your child should be brought to see a doctor or family physician.
Does Teething Really Cause Pain?
It’s important to note that the process of teeth eruption is gradual and not as dramatic as the term “cutting through the gums” suggests. In fact, most babies do not show signs of severe pain or discomfort during teething.
They may experience symptoms such as gum swelling, drooling, fussiness, and sleep disturbances. However, these symptoms are not caused by the tooth “cutting” through the gum, but rather by the pressure and inflammation associated with the tooth moving through the gum tissue.
When teeth come in, surrounding gum and bone tissues in the area start to remodel and change to make room for the developing tooth to arrive. The tissue changes occur at a cellular level, so there won’t be a sharp tooth tearing through tissue.
This also happens when baby teeth change over to adult teeth, which happens from around age 5 or 6 into teenage years.
During those periods of time when teeth change over, there is also not much pain involved.
There may be discomfort, but it is more likely due to inability to eat on the loose tooth or brush it properly. Arrival of new adult teeth is usually a non-event, as it was when baby teeth arrived.
How to Relieve Teething Discomfort
As a parent, it can be heartbreaking to see your baby in discomfort during teething. Fortunately, there are several ways you can help relieve your baby’s teething discomfort. Here are some tips:
- Gentle Gum Massage: Using a clean finger or a soft, damp cloth, gently massage your baby’s gums to provide some relief from the discomfort. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before touching your baby’s mouth.
- Teething Toys: Provide your baby with age-appropriate teething toys to chew on. The pressure of chewing can help relieve teething discomfort and provide a safe outlet for your baby to gnaw on.
- Cold Compresses: Applying a cold compress, such as a chilled teething ring or a damp washcloth that has been placed in the refrigerator, can help numb the gums and provide relief.
- Over-the-Counter Remedies: There are also over-the-counter teething gels or medications that can provide temporary relief. However, it’s important to consult with your pediatrician or dentist before using any medication on your baby.
- Comfort and distractions: Providing comfort and distractions, such as cuddling, singing, or playing with your baby, can help take their mind off the teething discomfort and provide comfort.
- Healthy diet: Offering your baby cold or chilled foods, such as yogurt or pureed fruits, can provide relief to their sore gums while also providing nutrition.
Remedies That Are Not Recommended:
Orajel: The active medicinal ingredient is benzocaine. In young children, although rare, benzocaine can cause a condition called methemoglobinemia, a drop in the ability to carry oxygen in the bloodstream. In addition, Orajel was not found to be very effective as it only numbed the surface of the gum tissue.
Homeopathic agents:
The concern with use of Homeopathic agents is that research has not been done to prove their efficacy. In addition, unlike prescribed or over the counter medication, homeopathic agents aren’t regulated by Health Canada or the FDA.
Hyland’s Teething Tablets (discontinued) was banned by the FDA because the active ingredient is belladonna, and amounts in each tablet were inconsistent. Since the body’s response to belladonna in children under 2 years of age is unpredictable, using such products placed them at unnecessary risk.
Amber bead necklaces containing amber from the Baltic region, have been thought to release a minute amount of oil that contains succinic acid when triggered by the body’s heat. When in contact with the skin, the oil is absorbed into the bloodstream. Advocates say it has an analgesic effect on swollen, sore gums. The biggest concerns with amber bead necklaces are potential strangulation, choking hazard, and cutting off circulation around fingers or toes. Another concern is that the amount of succinic acid being absorbed into the body is unknown.
Now that you are equipped with a better understanding of teething, we encourage you to find out what works best for you and your child and to be familiar with the risks and downsides involved with the available options.
Contact us to book an appointment today or to learn more about teething!