For many new parents, the momentous occasion of their baby’s first tooth is one to be anticipated with excitement. The experience of teething can become a natural part of parenting for some, yet for others it can be a rather worrying process when they don’t know what to expect or when it might occur. It's important to understand the signs and symptoms that your child may go through during teething and how best you can provide support so your little one feels comfortable and less distressed. In this blog post we will explore in depth when babies typically start teething and discuss key indicators to look out for by going over all the common tips for managing discomfort during this delicate period in a baby's life.
What Is Teething?
Teething is the process in which a baby's teeth start to come in through their gums. Teething usually begins around four to seven months, starting with the bottom two front teeth, and continues until all twenty primary teeth in a baby have erupted. Teething can cause discomfort for babies as their tender gums become swollen and inflamed due to increased blood flow. Some common symptoms of teething include redness or swelling of the gums, fussiness and irritability, drooling more than usual and chewing on objects. Teething can also cause soreness near the ears, cheeks and throat due to shared nerves sending signals of pain from the gums. While teething is a natural occurrence for babies, parents can lessen its discomfort by providing cold items such as frozen carrots or chilled teethers for them to bite on. If your baby is experiencing too much discomfort, speak with your pediatrician about other treatment options available.
When Do Babies Start Teething?
Teething can start at any time during the span of a baby's first year. Generally, babies begin to teethe between 4 and 7 months old, but some may start as early as 3 months or late as 12 months. Teething typically starts with the bottom front two teeth, called central incisors, followed by their top counterparts. Teething takes place over several months, with different teeth appearing in varying order before it's finished. During this process, babies will feel discomfort from sore gums and swollen tissue surrounding the emerging teeth. Teething can be managed by use of gentle massage for the affected gums with a clean finger or gauze-wrapped ice cube, as well providing appropriate items such as rings and teething toys to chew on to help relieve any discomfort.
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What are the common Signs and Symptoms of Teething?
Teething in babies is a common stage of infancy and can start as early as 3 months of age. Teething signs and symptoms typically appear in advance of visible teeth, so it's important to know what to look for. Common warning signs include sore or tender gums, increased drooling, and increased biting or gum-rubbing behavior and irritability. Teething babies may also experience swelling of the gums, mild fever, lack of appetite and discomfort while eating--commonly from nursing. Seeking treatment from a pediatrician can ensure that pain is minimized and other issues are not overlooked during teething in your infant's development.
Drooling
Drooling is a perfectly normal bodily function that affects nearly everyone, regardless of age. Although we typically associate it with teething in babies, anyone can experience drooling for a variety of reasons. Drooling typically occurs due to an overproduction of saliva or difficulty controlling the swallowing reflex. Teething in babies is the most common cause of drooling, as the emergence of teeth stimulates the production of more saliva that can't be contained in the mouth. Teething is an inevitable and important part of growing up; some children may drool appreciably more than others even within a regular range. Fortunately, there are many simple strategies parents can implement to reduce any disruption caused by teething-induced drooling.
Low Grade Fever
Low grade fever, which is also known as sub-fever and occult fever, is a type of mild febrile illness. It is marked by a slight increase in body temperature. Teething in babies often causes low grade fevers since the gums become irritated as teeth begin to break through the surface and cause discomfort or even pain for them. Generally, low grade fevers should resolve fairly quickly with rapid cooling measures such as lukewarm baths and exposure to cool air. While uncommon, it is important to monitor your child's medical condition if a fever persists and consult your doctor if the symptoms worsen.
Biting
Teething is a process that all babies go through, usually starting around 6 months old. During this time period, babies often turn to biting to help relieve the soreness they are feeling as their teeth cut through the gums. Although it may be surprising or even irritating when babies bite, it is important to remember that they are not doing it out of bad behavior but rather to ease the discomfort and pain of teething. Teething can cause additional issues like rashes, drooling and fussiness, so comforting and helping your baby through this common process is essential for them growing into healthy and happy toddlers.
Crying or whining
Crying and whining are common behaviors in babies that typically start in the early days of life, and can persist through toddlerhood. Teething is often one of the most frequent contributing factors to a crying baby; as their teeth break through the gums, it can be uncomfortable and cause inflammation. Crying and whining become more emotionally based as your baby grows, since they are now able to express not just physical discomfort but also emotional needs such as love, comfort and security. If you find yourself dealing with a crying or whining baby or toddler, it's important to remember that it's a normal part of development. Developing more patience, calming techniques and possibly increasing your empathy for them will help you get through those noisy times.
Irritability
Irritability is a state of agitation and restlessness that can be experienced by people of all ages and genders. Teething in babies, for example, is one of the most common causes of irritability due to the discomforts such as inflammation, tender gums, and salivation caused by teething. In adults, irritability can have many causes such as a lack of sleep and physical exhaustion. Stress can also cause irritability as it commonly leads to increased heart numbers, negative emotionality states, and cognitive impairment. These issues become exacerbated when the stress is not managed in a healthy way. To combat the effects of irritability effectively it is important to identify what is causing it first, so that appropriate actions can then be taken.
Refusing to eat
Refusing to eat can be a common occurrence for babies going through the teething process as their lack of appetite is often attributed to discomfort caused by emerging teeth pushing through their gums. Teething usually starts when a baby is around 6 months old and continues until they are about 3 years old, so parents should expect to have many episodes of finicky eating throughout the teething phase. To ease discomfort while helping their baby stay nourished, parents may want to offer cold foods like smoothies or frozen yogurt sticks, or cook soft foods that are easy to chew on. Teething can also be helped by offering teething toys or numbing gels which can provide temporary relief until the teeth have fully emerged.
Night waking
Night waking can be a difficult adjustment for parents and their young children. Although common for babies to experience teething-related disturbances at night, there are ways to ease the transition. Parents can try different interventions such as shorter and later bedtimes, reducing the amount of light in the room, and providing extra comfort measures during the night. Teething may cause increased discomfort that prevents babies from resettling themselves, so offering temporary comfort while they grow accustomed to better self-regulation can be a beneficial approach. It is important that parents remember that this is only a short term phase and with patience and support, their little ones will soon learn how to fall asleep on their own again.
Diarrhea
Teething in babies can often result in the occurrence of diarrhea. Teething occurs when baby teeth start pushing through gums, which is when the body secretes more saliva. This extra saliva makes it easy for babies to swallow large amounts of bacteria contained in their fingers while they are teething, and this bacteria may lead to gastrointestinal issues, including diarrhea. So if your baby is experiencing loose stools and you have ruled out other potential causes, it’s possible that teething might be to blame. Consulting with your pediatrician is crucial for determining the cause and preventing any further complications.
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What are the first signs of teething?
The First Signs of Teething
Teething is a normal milestone in the development of babies and young children, and can be full of challenges for both parents and their children. Knowing what signs to look for can help you prepare for this big step in your child's life.
The first signs of teething typically start around four to seven months of age. Here are the most common ones:
- Drooling more than usual
- Increased chewing on things, such as toys or fingers
- Fussiness or irritability
- Redness or swollen gums around baby teeth
- Slight fever
- Trouble sleeping
How Can I Make Teething Easier?
Teething can be a difficult time for both parents and babies. Teething usually begins around six months of age, but this can vary widely from baby to baby. There are several methods that parents can use to help make teething easier on their little one. Firstly, gently massage the gums with a clean finger or a moistened gauze pad to reduce inflammation and soothe the area. Secondly, freezing something such as a wet washcloth and giving it to your baby to chew on is an effective way of providing relief. Thirdly, over-the-counter medications and numbing gels specifically formulated for teething pain may also provide comfort. Lastly, it's important to focus on providing extra love and attention during this difficult time by offering cuddles and playing comforting music. Teething in babies doesn't have to be unbearable - follow these steps and hopefully you will find some peace soon!
Teething toys
Teething in babies is an uncomfortable time for both parents and the little ones. Teething toys provide a safe and natural way to help soothe your child's itchy gums. Teethers come in many shapes, textures, and sizes - all of which serve a purpose to help relieve baby's tooth development. Teething toys offer coolness, massaging effects, flavor, or unique crinkles that help distract your baby while also providing comfort. With proper care and sanitation of these products, they are suitable for any age baby during the teething process. Plus, they give you a bit of peace knowing that your little one will get some much-needed relief day or night!
Cold drinks
Teething can be a painful experience for babies and relieving the pain with cold drinks or foods may seem like an easy solution, but it could prove to be dangerous. Teething usually begins at around 6 months of age, and some parents choose to give their little one refrigerated snacks like ice pops or freezie cups as a way to soothe their gums. However, these snacks have especially high sugar content which can lead to dental decay and cause other unwanted health problems. Instead of cold drinks or sugary snacks, giving your baby a teething ring made from natural materials such as rubber or wood is much safer and healthier choice.
Cold food
Cold food can be especially helpful for parents of teething babies. Cold foods often provide relief to a baby by numbing the gums and reducing swelling. Teething biscuits, applesauce, fruits and vegetables can all offer that much needed comfort as they rub against their sore gums. It's important to ensure that these items are adequately cooled before administering to a baby, as cold sores can easily be caused. Additionally, it’s important to observe your little one closely while they enjoy their cold meal, as anything with a high sugar content might injure their delicate teeth.
How to care for baby’s new teeth?
Teething in babies can be a difficult and painful process for them, as well as their parents. It is important to learn how to care for a baby’s new teeth during these times of discomfort and stress. Begin by keeping the area around the gums clean to reduce the pain of teething. Teeth should be brushed with a soft-bristled infant toothbrush no more than twice daily or after every feeding, if desired. A thin layer of fluoride toothpaste can also be used to help strengthen the baby’s enamel. Make sure not to give too much water or fruit juices which contain sugar that pH levels cause dental decay in baby's teeth. Moreover, it is also important for parents to monitor how much pacifier time their child has as prolonged pacifier use has been correlated with earlier dental health problems down the line. By caring for your baby’s new teeth today, you can set up good future care habits that will make their dental visits easy and healthy!
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