How to Help Your Teething Baby

Thankfully, we are here to help you learn some do’s and don’ts to keep you and your little one happy and healthy!

When to Expect a Baby’s First Tooth Eruption

When babies are born, their first set of teeth are mostly developed and set below the gums. The normal teething age is between 5 to 9 months old, and the first teeth to grow in will most likely be the bottom two front teeth. Within 4 to 8 weeks you should see the top front teeth develop as well. Typically, all 20 of your baby’s primary teeth should be grown by the age of three.

These teeth are very important for two main reasons: speaking and eating. Teeth help babies chew and talk, hence their importance! They also set space for permanent teeth to grow in later in life.

Suggestions & Tips for Teething Pain

Now that we know when to expect teething, how can we help our child through this painful time? Here are some helpful tips to relieve common symptoms of teething:

• Give your baby ice cubes wrapped in a cloth or cold food items to help the swelling around their gums.
• Use one finger to gently massage the gum area to calm any immediate pain or discomfort.
• If you have a teething ring, great! When choosing we suggest a firm rubber ring over a teething ring with liquid as these can crack, and we don’t want your baby to drink what could be toxic liquid.
• If you choose to use any pain reliever medications, be aware that these medicines have benzocaine; a local anesthetic that can interfere with your child’s gag reflex making them more likely to choke.
• If you believe the pain is severe enough that your child needs medication, contact your pediatrician before administering.
• If no teeth have erupted in your child by the age of 2, you should call us as soon as possible.
• If your baby experiences anything such as bleeding gums, a high fever, or vomiting, please call for help! These are not typical symptoms of teething and may require attention.

Call Adventure Dental and Orthodontics today at (661) 251-0200. We proudly serve patients in the Santa Clarita area.