Teething
Teething is considered part of the growth in babies. When the growing teeth push through the gums, it is teething, which is usually seen between the age of 6-9 months.
The baby may feel irritated or frustrated during this stage and dribbles saliva or wants to chew something. To improve symptoms of teething, few measures can be taken.
The teeth are grown in stages throughout the gums. Milk teeth develop in the womb itself when the baby is growing. Teeth grow throughout the gums when the baby is 6-9 months old, which may be early or even late in some babies.
Special chemicals are released by the body when the teeth grow by which gums separate, allowing the teeth to grow. When the child is 21/2 – 3 years old, a complete set of first teeth grows. The lower front teeth grow first, followed by the top middle teeth, and the rest of the teeth grow over the following months.
Symptoms of Teething
Symptoms of teething may vary between children and babies. Teething has mild symptoms for most babies, while some of them have painful teething which may last longer.
Many days or even weeks before the tooth breaks through the gum, teething symptoms frequently start to appear. Common teething signs and symptoms include:
- Swollen and red gums.
- Rubbing the ear closest to where the tooth is erupting.
- Red flushed face or cheek.
- Dribbling more than usual.
- Generally being more unsettled.
- Waking more in the night.
- Biting, chewing, or sucking more.
Teething will not cause the baby to become ill. Teething may also cause diarrhea, due to which there will be changes in the stools at this time, and teething may also cause a rise in temperature. If your baby or child is experiencing fever, diarrhea, or other symptoms of illness, you should take them to the Paediatrician to rule out any underlying conditions, including ear, urinary, or chest infections.
Treatment For Teething
Many babies or children have minimal or do not have any symptoms during teething. So there will be no treatment.
For those children who have symptoms:
- To ease the pain, gentle rubbing over the gum will be helpful. Most of the children bite on a clean and cool object like a chilled teething ring or a wet, clean, cold flannel, as they find that soothing. Chewing chilled vegetables and fruits may help. Rusks or biscuits should be avoided as they contain sugar.
- Pain medications: Giving medicines like paracetamol in doses as prescribed by Paediatricians may help children with pain.Complementary treatments like herbal teething powder may not be helpful for teething.
- Teething gels: Teething gels with local anesthesia or mild antiseptic are available
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions clearly if you choose to use these gels.
