Taking care of your teeth is a major task. It does not come easy. But in order to ensure you have healthy teeth in the long run, it is essential you take care of them in the right manner. Similarly as how you need to ensure you are taking care of your teeth as an adult, you should also look into the details of what goes into when teeth begin to set in place. This also means looking into the process of baby teething. Which means when your baby’s teeth will start to come through their gum line.
This can actually be a very painful process for the baby too. This is because the baby cannot express the pain and what they are feeling exactly. But it is not as hard to know when the baby will begin teething.
In this article I will be sharing in detail as to what happens in a teething process, the symptoms, how to relieve the pain for the baby and much more.
So let’s start:
When does Baby Teething Begin?
The major signs that your baby is teething is the kind of discomfort they are in and you just can’t figure out the reason for it.
It isn’t always easy to interpret. Some people suggest that they are teething when they are drooling but that is not always the case.
Also if your child is putting his fingers in his mouth, it is not a sign of teething but merely a major milestone in their development. In majority of the cases, even if you feel that your child is teething, it is because of some other reasons like being sick or having an infection.
Even if the symptoms are setting in, fact is you will probably not have your first teeth come out until a few months or even a year later from the first symptoms which had set in.
A baby will actually start to teeth anywhere between 4 to 7 months. But this doesn’t mean it is exactly the same for all babies. In some cases, they will be having their set of teeth come out quite later in life.
So what are the symptoms of your baby teething?
Signs and Symptoms of Baby Teething
The symptoms are quite different for different cases. This is because no two babies will be going through the exact same symptoms.
But here’s looking into the majority of what your infant may be suffering from:
- they will have swollen or even tender gums
- some will be facing fussiness and crying
- in certain cases there will even be a slightly raised temperature
- gnawing is common as well as you feel the need to want to chew on something hard
- If you are drooling, you will likely face a rash on the face
- coughing can be consistent
- rubbing their cheeks and pulling the ears can also be common
- bringing the hands into your mouth
- if your baby is having heavy changes in its sleeping pattern it can be a sign of their suffering from teething
- these changes can also be pertaining to how your baby is eating also
Teething is actually a painful process. But it does not actually make your babies sick.
You should call your doctor if the baby has diarrhea or is vomiting, has rashes and is feeling fever and cough setting in. These are the worrisome traits which will need medical attention from you .
In some severe situations your baby’s gum will also be bleeding. You will also see swelling on the face and the formation of pus.
How To Help Your Little One Get Relief
Teething is a very common discomfort. It is something most of the babies have to go through. And in new mothers cases, they will become overwhelmed. But don’t worry, I am going to be hitting on some ways in which you can help your children in relieving the pain.
So when you see your child in pain, you will feel that they are feeling more inclined towards getting to give them anything that will help them overcome the pain.
But sometimes all that is needed is soothing from your end. You can ensure that these tried and tested home remedies will bring about the results you desire.
These can include:
- Gently massage the baby’s gums. You can do so by rubbing with your clean finger, using a knuckle or even making use of a moistened gauze pad which is actually quite soft but gets the results.
- It also works if you hold some clean and cold washcloth to your gums.
- Using a chilled teething ring is also very effective.
- When you use some kind of plastic or rubber toys in a chilled format, they also work great.
- If your child is nibbling on solids, you should make use of chilled cucumbers. They are effective in providing you with a soothing sensation. But it is important that you are careful. As it can lead to choking hazards.
- Sometimes using the occasional ibuprofen is also effective.
Teething and Fever – Misconceptions
There is some misconception that teething can cause fever. But the fact is teething does not cause fever. If you feel your baby has a temperature which is higher than 100F, then that is a cause of concern. And it will not be relating to some other major illness.
While it is true that gum inflammation can kick in and it relates to teething, it also causes you to have a slightly higher body temperature. But this spike is not something to be concerned about.
It is very small and does not mean you have a worrisome fever. If you are having a small fever, it can relate to an illness or even an infection which includes a urinary tract infection.
Did you know that babies who are about 6 months old are actually at a higher risk of infection. This is because they begin to lose the immunity of protection with which they are born. Hence having sickness and virus and bacteria striking your body can be a cause of worry.
But this again means that it is not because baby teething is taking place.
Diarrhea and Baby Teething
Some parents also incorrectly assume that a baby may be suffering from loose stool due to teething. So while drooling can cause you to have loosen stool, suffering from diarrhea when baby teething is happening is a whole another concept.
Also did you know that teething does not cause rashes. But it is likely that it can lead to heavy drooling and will also irritate the skin of the baby’s mouth. This will make it look red, dry and chapped.
Treatments for Teething
When it comes to the kind of treatment your baby needs, know that not all babies will be needing to go through treatment for teething.
If the baby looks fine. She is not showing any kind of discomfort, then that means you don’t need to do much. But if they are crying and seem uncomfortable, you can try the home remedies I mentioned earlier or consult the doctor.
Consulting a pediatrician is important when the baby is crying a lot and seems uneasy because there may be some underlying reason for their discomfort.
It is important that you identify what that is and ensure you are having an expert’s opinion in the matter.
Severe Condition- When to Call the Doctor
As I said earlier, if the baby looks fine then it’s all good to go. But if you are sensing the baby is having high fever and the symptoms are actually evaluating, then it is best you go and see a doctor.
This is because these kind of severe symptoms can be pointing towards an even more advanced allergy or condition.
If you don’t get the opinion of a doctor, chances are your baby’s condition can further deteriorate. This can include issues like high fever, diarrhea and even dehydration in certain cases.
However at the end of the day you know your baby best. You can identify better the condition and act accordingly.
Conclusion
It is not uncommon for parents to worry over the onset of their baby’s teething. It is a quite common procedure and many babies and young children may actually go through it.
Many parents worry that their baby is actually in a lot of pain when the teething begins. But the good news is – in most of these cases, baby teething only brings about a certain discomfort.
However if your child is going through heavy crying, seems to be in a lot of pain and is also feeling feverish, then the reason may be something else.
Baby teething in itself is not something which sets on so many symptoms. So it is best that you consult your pediatrician to know the proper underlying cause.
Also if it is just plain teething process they are going through, there are some gentle and simple home remedies you can follow which provide the baby a soothing relief. And will also help in combating the inflammation of the gums.
