For most babies (and their parents) teething is not a fun time.
The journey of baby teeth starts in the womb, when tooth buds develop in the gums. Generally around six months of age - give or take a few months depending on the child - their teeth start to push through the gums. This pressure is called teething, and it can cause your baby some pain or discomfort.
No parent wants to see his or her child distressed, so when the teething phase strikes, it’s important to know what you can do to help soothe your baby.
If you’ve noticed your baby is cranky or unsettled, this may be the start of their teeth coming through. Here are a 8 common teething baby symptoms to look out for:
It’s commonly misunderstood that teething may cause your baby to develop a fever or diarrhea. While your child’s temperature may slightly increase due to the discomfort of teething, there is no evidence to prove that teething causes fever. If your child does develop these symptoms and you become worried, book an appointment with your doctor.
If your baby is showing the signs and symptoms of teething, the good news is there are ways to help sooth your child through this dreaded period. Here are some helpful tips on how to soothe a teething baby:
If your baby is constantly sucking on their fingers or chewing on objects, he/she is finding relief from the pressure. Here are some safe remedies to try:
Cold packs reduce swelling and help numb the pain from sore, throbbing gums. Try freezing or refrigerating some popular foods and drinks, as well as household items. Some examples include:
Try to keep your baby distracted from the discomfort with some nurturing rituals. Some ideas include:
We hope you found this article helpful. Here at Mulgrave Dental Group, we understand this can be a difficult time for parents and babies. If you are concerned about what’s going on inside your baby’s mouth, don’t hesitate to book an appointment with us. Phone (03) 9562 5156.