Teething Children: What are the best ways to soothe sore gums?
Babies often begin teething by about 6 months of age. The first teeth that generally appear are the two bottom front teeth—lower central incisors—followed by the two top front teeth—upper central incisors.
So, what does typical teething look like? The most common signs and symptoms of teething are:
1. Drooling
2. Chewing on objects
3. Irritability or crankiness
4. Sore or tender gums
5. Sleeplessness
6. Decreased appetite
What are the best ways to soothe sore gums?
- Rub your baby’s gums with a clean finger or moistened gauze pad. The pressure can help to increase your baby’s comfort
- Use a cold washcloth, spoon, or chilled teething ring or refrigerate a pacifier
- Make milk popsicles if your child is refusing to eat due to teething. Milk popsicles will keep your child fed and hydrated while also soothing the gums
- Try chilled hard foods, if your child is eating solid foods, such as a chilled cucumber or carrot.
- Let your baby gnaw on frozen apple chunks—cut a large piece of apple, let it chill in the freezer for an hour or more, and offer it to your baby
- But keep a close eye on your baby, as pieces might break off and create a choking hazard
- Serve your baby chilled purees if your baby is not yet eating solid foods
- Give your child a foot massage—reflexology studies identify connections between certain spots in the foot and other parts of the body. The toe area correlates with the head and teeth, so massaging around the toes may offer relief
- Dry the drool to prevent skin irritation. Keep a clean cloth handy to dry the skin, and possibly use a water-based cream or moisturizer to prevent irritation
- Try a nice warm bath to take their mind off their pain by splashing around
- Try an over-the-counter remedy like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Children’s Motrin) if your baby is especially cranky
- Avoid homeopathic teething tablets and medications that contain the topical pain reliever benzocaine (Anbesol) or lidocaine as they are harmful to your baby.
The Children’s Dental Health at Englewood Dental is Here Every Step of the Way
We know that the first few months of a child’s life are full of excitement and growing! With all of these changes occur, we know that you will have a lot of questions about how to supply the best care for your child. If you are looking for more information about how to care for your baby while they are teething, or if you have any other questions about their developing oral health, give us a call at 201-871-3556 or make an appointment to speak with a pediatric specialist today!
