Teething
Oregon City, OR
 Your child’s baby teeth – also called their “primary” teeth – will come in with little fanfare when your baby is around six months old, though sometimes they can show up earlier or later. As adults, we all typically have 32 permanent “adult” teeth, but your child will sprout 20 teeth over the next couple years of their life. It can be admittedly somewhat stressful to have a baby who is teething, for both yourself and your little one. They do not understand why they are experiencing this new pain, which can lead to crying and fussiness. We here at Great Grins for KIDS - Oregon City completely understand how difficult teething can be and want to let you know that we are here for both you and your child during this new and trying time!
What Do I Need to Know About Teething?
For new parents, having a teething baby can be stressful and even a little bit scary. There is much uncertainty that may be surrounding what is considered “normal” and what you should look out for when your child’s teeth are showing up. If your child is crying and fussy, do not be surprised. Also look out for insomnia (trouble sleeping), crankiness, loss of appetite, and extra drooling.
A baby who is teething may also rub his or her face and ears a lot, may have to bulge in their gums and may try to suck or bite on objects to soothe their aching mouth. These are all normal signs. However, if your child starts to run a fever, starts vomiting or has diarrhea, or has a rash or a cough, this could be a sign of something else, and you should seek medical attention right away.
If your child is teething and in pain, you can do a few things to help your little one feel better. Offer your baby your finger to chew on to help relieve the pain. You can also use safe teething toys and devices for them to gnaw upon, such as those that are made up of rubber. Avoid anything with small parts that might break in their mouth or become a choking hazard. Cold can also help, so you also press a cold washcloth against their gums or offer them cold foods (if they are eating solids).
Avoid putting frozen objects into their mouth, as that can cause painful burns. It is tempting to try to use analgesics or pain medication for your baby but try to avoid it. For instance, aspirin is extremely dangerous and should not be used by anyone under the age of 19 years of age due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome. Numbing gels should be used also be avoided, especially benzocaine, which can lead to deadly complications. Numbing medicine can also spread, numbing your baby’s throat and possibly becoming a choking hazard.
Nobody likes to see their precious baby upset or crying. If your child is teething, then, of course, you want to comfort them and make them feel better!
Expect to see your baby’s front teeth show up first and their molars last, and once they start growing their teeth, you can plan their first appointment with us here at Great Grins for KIDS - Oregon City by calling us at 971-470-0045 when they are around one year of age. We look forward to meeting your baby at our office! |
