New parents get to experience all kinds of “first-time adventures” with their newborns, and one of those “firsts” is when their child gets their first teeth. Watching your children’s teeth grow in is a sign that they are growing up and are developing healthfully. However, many first-time parents have questions about teething and how to help their child through it.
Below, we will discuss what you can expect while your child is teething:
When Does a Baby Start Teething?
The baby’s first two teeth will be the two bottom front teeth which will come in when your baby is about 6 to 8 months old. The rest of the teeth will appear in pairs throughout the next couple of years. The last teeth should appear around the time the child is about 2 1/2 years of age. By 2 1/2 years old, the child will have all 20 of their childhood teeth.
Teeth may appear a few months earlier or later as children do develop at different rates and on their schedules. There is no “one set schedule” for children’s development.
Symptoms of Teething
Some symptoms of teething to look for in your child will include the following:
- excessive drooling/dribbling
- urge to bite
- soreness and swelling of the gums
- mood changes
- pain
- rash around the mouth
- sleeplessness/restlessness
- slightly elevated temperatures
- pulling their ears
If your child is showing several or more of these symptoms, that might be the clue that your child is beginning the teething process.
Soothing Remedies & Treatments for Teething
Teething can sometimes be rather uncomfortable or even painful for babies. Parents always want to help their child feel better, so the following are some great remedies for teething babies (also safe ones):
- use a damp, warm cloth to keep the gums clean
- use a toothbrush/toothpaste designed for your child’s age to clean their teeth twice per day gently
- don’t use fluoride toothpaste until the child is at least one year old
- practice healthy lifestyles and behaviors (including a healthy diet)
- brush the teeth for the child until they are capable of doing it accurately on their own
These tips ensure that your children experience a minimum amount of discomfort or “pain” while they are teething as they grow and develop.
Timeline of Tooth Eruptions
Tooth eruptions will consist in pairs starting with the lower, front two teeth and coming in pairs till the child is about 2 1/2 years old when they will have all 20 teeth. Molars begin to appear when the child is about 13 to 19 months old.
Times when the actual teeth erupt will vary as not every child develops on the same timeline as every other child. There is no reason to worry if your child develops teeth a little earlier or later than the others.
When to Call the Pediatrician
If your child seems to be in constant pain while teething and nothing will stop the pain, you can talk to your child’s pediatrician to see what other methods of treatment might help. Children’s Tylenol or other over-the-counter products (avoid those that use benzocaine) and aspirin is also a no-no for teething babies. Check with your pediatrician to see which over-the-counter products are safe for your teething baby.
If you suspect any other issues with your child when they begin teething, please contact your pediatrician immediately to ensure that you avoid long-term issues with your child’s oral health.
Conclusions
At Esthetix Dental Spa, we are happy to provide your child with their first oral consultation and exam at your convenience. Please feel free to contact us at Esthetix Dental Spa for further assistance. We are always happy to help.