Parents know when their baby’s milk teeth eruption and that of the first tooth are due to symptoms like drooling, chewing on fingers or toys, redness or a rash around the mouth, chin and neck irritability, and also crying, waking more often at night, ear pulling, and fussy eating tendencies.
What Is Teething?
Most babies begin to teeth say around 6 months of age. Few may start teething earlier, and others begin much later.
Teething Symptoms
The symptoms aren’t the same for every baby, but they may include:
- Swollen, tender gums.
- Fussiness and crying.
- Slightly raised temperature (less than 100.4 F).
- Gnawing or wanting to chew on hard things.
- Lots of drool, which can cause a rash on the face.
- Coughing.
- Rubbing their own cheek or pulling their ear.
Call the pediatrician if the baby’s gums are bleeding, if any pus is seen, or if the face is swelling.
Teething fever
At times, babies who are teething get low-grade fevers. The body temperature is slightly above normal, between say 100 and 100.4 F. Doctor help is required.
Teething and swollen gums
Few babies may have red and also swollen gums as a tooth tries to break through. This should rather ease as the tooth does appear.
Teething rash
Teething rash is not really due to teething. The rash is caused by drooling, which does occur when babies are teething. To prevent rashes, keep a cloth handy to wipe away the diarrhea from the baby’s face, chin, or chest.
Teething vs. Ear Infection
Babies who happen to be teething and having ear infections can have similar symptoms, which can worry parents.
Both teething and ear infections can cause:
- Fussiness and also crying.
- Rubbing their cheek or even pulling their ear.
- Bringing their hands to their own mouth.
- Changes in eating or perhaps sleeping patterns.
But these symptoms can indeed occur with ear infections but not teething:
- High fever.
- Severe pain.
- Fluid coming from the baby’s ear.
- Balance problems.
- A hard time hearing or even responding to noise or perhaps sound.
How to Soothe a Teething Baby?
If the baby is having trouble while teething, there are a few things the parent can try to help the little one feel better:
Teething toys
Offer the baby something to chew on, especially if it is cold. A solid (not liquid) refrigerated teething toy or ring can be helpful. A cold pacifier, spoon, clean wet washcloth, or a rubber teether can also soothe sore gums. Avoid teethers filled with liquid, which can indeed leak, or freezable teethers, which may be too cold or even hard and may hurt one’s baby’s mouth.
Also, never tie a teether around the baby’s neck. It can cause a choking hazard. Do clean teething toys, washcloths, and other items after the baby does use them.
Teething medicine
Medicine that rubs on a baby’s gums to stop the pain of teething may not help. It quickly washes away in the mouth and can numb the back of their throat instead, thus making it hard for them to swallow.
Avoid over-the-counter teething gels and liquids as they contain the ingredient benzocaine, which should not be given to children under 2. It can cause rare but even serious side effects.
A small dose of a children’s pain reliever, like acetaminophen (Tylenol) for babies at least 2 months of age and ibuprofen (Motrin) for babies 6 months and older, can be useful. Avoid giving ibuprofen to an infant under 6 months old, and consult the doctor prior to administering such medication.
Teething can be rough for you and your baby at first. But it will get easier as you both learn how to soothe each new tooth.
Other teething treatments
- Teething biscuits.
- Cold solid foods.
Natural Remedies for Teething
Consult the pediatrician or family doctor before trying any homeopathic or natural remedies. Few can pose health risks for the child.
- Cold items.
- Massage.
- Breast milk: Be careful nipple chewing is possible.
- Offer water.
Conclusion
Consult the doctor on the baby’s milk teeth eruption.