Although everyone is unique, most babies start teething when they’re between 4 and 7 months old. Usually, the first to appear are their bottom front teeth, typically followed a few months later by the top ones.
When your child’s primary teeth begin pushing through their gumline, they can experience a range of symptoms, including tenderness, swelling, excessive drooling, and irritability that can keep them up at night. If your infant (and therefore, the rest of your household) is not sleeping well, continue reading to learn about 3 teething tips that might help!
Tip #1: Massage Their Gums
Have you noticed that your little one just can’t seem to keep objects out of their mouth recently? When they’re teething, they tend to want to bite down onto anything they get ahold of to try to alleviate the aches they’re still too small to talk about. If you notice this behavior, you might help provide additional relief by gently massaging their gums for them.
First, take a few moments to wash and dry your hands to avoid germ contamination. Then, you can use your fingers to gently rub their connective tissues to provide a much-needed reprieve from the persistent pressure caused by growing teeth.
Tip #2: Offer a Cold Cloth
If you’ve ever had a toothache, you might have applied an ice pack to the sore side of your face, which can induce a temporary numbing sensation to alleviate the throbbing. Although this method generally isn’t recommended for your infant’s tiny cheeks, you might try a different cold-related technique.
For example, some parents have had luck placing a soaking a clean washcloth with water and placing it in the freezer for 30 to 60 minutes. Once it has stiffened, you can give it to your baby to chew on, which can help numb their gums gently without damaging the tissues. However, before handing it to your child, you may want to check for any tags, stray strings, or rips that could pose a choking hazard.
Tip #3: Try White Noise
If your baby seems more upset at night than during the day, it could be because there are fewer distractions when everyone lies down for bed at night. Without any other lights, sounds, or activities to distract their developing brains, they might have nothing to focus on except the aches caused by their growing teeth.
In some cases, putting a white noise machine in their room can provide just enough gentle stimulation to help put their minds at ease long enough for them to fall asleep. Some of these devices also include night-lights and can be controlled remotely for your convenience.
If you’ve tried these tips and your child still seems inconsolable, it may be time to schedule a visit to their pediatric dentist to ensure their teeth are developing as they should!
About the Practice
Patients at Garland Pediatric Dentistry benefit from two providers who are passionate about helping kids build and maintain their happiest, healthiest smiles. Dr. Ben and Dr. K collaborate to offer a comprehensive menu of services to meet your child’s unique needs, including routine examinations. They strive to make each visit fun and educational so that your child learns the value of caring for their teeth and gums. You can request an appointment on the website or by calling the office at (972) 674-9966.