Teething is a normal stage in a baby's development. It can cause pain, discomfort and, therefore, cause stress. There are several ways to relieve the pain caused by the first teeth coming out. In these cases, a variety of home remedies can be used or medical attention can be sought.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Managing Teething at Home
Step 1. Massage the baby's gums with a clean finger
If your baby's first baby teeth are popping up in the mouth, sometimes applying a little pressure can relieve the pain they cause. Therefore, rub a clean finger on the gums. If you don't like the idea of using your finger, try using a damp layer of gauze.
Step 2. Keep the baby's mouth cool
By cooling his mouth, you can partially relieve the pain caused by teething. You can use various cold substances to cool your gums and mouth.
- Try using a cold washcloth or spoon or a slightly cool teething ring to help him feel better.
- While the cold can be a cure-all, on the other frozen objects could cause some damage to the oral cavity. Contact with extremely cold temperatures can be harmful to the mouth and gums. Therefore, when you want to freshen up something, be it a spoon or teething ring, put it in the refrigerator, not the freezer.
Step 3. Purchase a teething period device
You can buy it on the Internet or at a health care store. The choice ranges from the traditional teething ring, which is a chewable plastic device when the gums are uncomfortable, to handkerchiefs specially designed for the period when the baby teeth emerge. The latter is a more affordable option. Some teething devices are equipped with vibration to massage the gums and provide greater relief.
Step 4. Give your child solid foods
If he is old enough to eat solid food, the harder ones can help. Among them, he can chew or gnaw peeled cucumbers and carrots, which can be relieved by the pressure exerted.
Keep an eye on it when eating hard foods. Make sure he doesn't choke
Step 5. Wipe off the drool when you see it
Babies tend to drool a lot during teething. If an excessive amount of drool dries around the mouth, it can irritate the skin. Make sure you wipe off all traces with a clean cloth.
- You can apply a water or milk based lotion around the baby's mouth. This can also help prevent skin dehydration caused by drool.
- In case there is any irritation due to drool, place a cloth under your baby's chin while he sleeps. Also try applying some baby lotion or ointment around her mouth and cheeks before she falls asleep.
- Since this is quite a common problem, consider using a bib to catch any dripping drool.
Part 2 of 3: Seeking Medical Assistance
Step 1. Try over-the-counter medications
If home remedies don't help, there are several non-prescription medications on the market, designed specifically for the teething period of babies. Consider giving your child a pain reliever if the loose teeth are causing him a lot of discomfort.
- Paracetamol and ibuprofen can be helpful when you are teething. It would be a good idea to contact your pediatrician first to ask for information on the dosage and any safety measures to be taken.
- Avoid any medications that contain benzocaine, a common pain reliever. In rare cases, it can cause a serious ailment that reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood.
- You should have your child undergo a pediatric visit before giving him any medication. It is preferable to make sure that the pain is caused by teething and not by an ailment that has gone unnoticed, such as ear infection.
Step 2. Use a gel to relieve teething discomfort
If your child is unresponsive to other treatments, you can find him at the pharmacy. It usually contains a topical anesthetic or antiseptic. Use a sugar-free one, specifically indicated for children. It is usually eliminated when the baby drools, so the effects don't last long. Talk to your pediatrician before using any type of teething gel.
Avoid benzocaine-based gels and be sure not to use larger quantities than indicated on the leaflet
Step 3. Take precautions when seeking homeopathic treatment
Many parents resort to homeopathic methods to manage the period when their children are teething. While some of these methods are harmless, there is little scientific evidence to support their effectiveness. Certain homeopathic remedies can be harmful to children's health.
- Homeopathic medicines in powder or granules, sold in many pharmacies, are almost harmless, as long as they are sugar-free. However, the main evidence documenting their effectiveness is anecdotal in nature. If the baby is unresponsive to other treatments, you may want to try using these homeopathic preparations, but be aware that there is no guarantee that they will work.
- Some stores sell amber bracelets or necklaces which, in theory, are supposed to relieve teething pain by releasing a small amount of oil into the baby's skin. If you decide to try this method, you should take proper precautions. In fact, the child could suffocate when coming into contact with bracelets and necklaces. Furthermore, by sucking or chewing on objects of this kind, there is the risk that it will release the spheres of which they are composed and end up choking. There is no scientific evidence that amber is effective against the discomfort caused by teething.
Step 4. Know when to see a doctor
Typically, teething is part of the baby's normal growth and development. It can be managed at home without medical assistance. However, if the body temperature rises or if the baby appears to be in particular pain, he may have contracted an infection or illness. Make an appointment with your pediatrician as soon as possible.
Part 3 of 3: Proceed to Checks
Step 1. Take your child to the dentist
He should go to the dentist when the first tooth comes out. Make an appointment no later than 6 months after its release and before the baby turns one year of age. Your dentist will check to make sure your teeth are growing healthy and strong.
Step 2. Take care of your child's baby teeth
When the first teeth appear, it is necessary to take care of them. The health of the teeth and gums is an important aspect of the general physical condition of the child.
- Wash your baby's gums with a clean, damp cloth every day. This will prevent bacteria from accumulating.
- Switch to a soft-bristled toothbrush when your child's first teeth begin to erupt. Know that the child will not learn to spit until he is roughly 3 years old. Therefore, before then, only use a small amount of fluoride toothpaste - it shouldn't be bigger than a grain of rice.
Step 3. Prevent tooth decay by feeding your child healthy food
When your baby begins to eat solid foods, prepare healthy, low-sugar dishes for him. Always brush his teeth when he's finished eating. Minimize feeding milk in the evening.
Advice
- Confront other parents. They can offer you advice and suggest personal tricks.
- Be patient. It can be stressful to manage a teething baby, but remember that this is a temporary process.
