Drooling? Fussy? Unexplained fever? Sound familiar? Teething can be a challenging time. Some babies and toddlers have no symptoms and others can drive their parents mad when their teeth begin to erupt. As a parent, fortunately I’ve only experience the former. But as a pediatric dentist I’m often asked about teething and what can be done.
First, what is teething? Teething is simply the eruption of a baby or toddler’s tooth (or teeth). Parents generally experience the symptoms of teething. The fussiness, the drooling, the fingers in the mouth.
As teeth erupt, they pass through bone to the overlying gum tissue. As the teeth continue to erupt nearing the surface, gum tissue thins out and eventually separates giving a window for the tooth to erupt through. This eruption sequence can consequently cause the sensation of pressure. For an infant or toddler this can be very discomforting or even mildly painful. In some cases, the overlying tissue can become red and tender. In other cases a fluid filled cyst can form over the tooth, called an eruption cyst.
How do I know if my child is teething? Sometimes I hear, “My baby is drooling a lot, I think he’s teething.” Babies drool. They slobber. It’s one of the few things they can do. Drooling can be associated with teething but it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re having any discomfort. If you’re wondering if your kid is actually nearing the eruption of a tooth or teeth, consider their age first. On average, the first teeth to erupt (bottom two in the middle, called the mandibular central incisors) do so between 5-7 months. Remember, this is an average only. Kids can get teeth as early as 4 months or ever as late as 10-12 months…..no cause for concern. If you have a slobbering 6 week old that cries a lot, probably can’t blame the teeth.
Treatment for teething is simple. 2 do’s and 1 don’t. Do give a teething ring (water filled ring that is frozen). These are the best solutions to teething. They are soft enough to chew on. The coldness can numb the area offering pain relief. The act of chewing on the rings will also help soften the gum tissue allowing the tooth to break through easier. Do give Children’s Tylenol as needed if he/she is having difficulty falling asleep at night. Medication should always be used with caution. Consulting with your pediatric dentist is always recommended prior to giving any medication for oral or dental pain. Don’t give Oraljel or any other numbing agent. The AAPD (American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry) along with the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) recommends against the use of Orajel or any other numbing agent due to the risk of toxicity from the anesthetic agent used.
If you’re just not sure or you have questions about your child’s teeth or possible teething, simply visit with your pediatric dentist. Remember, it’s recommended that all children visit the dentist by their first birthday.
-Dr. Brandon
Don’t handicap your children by making their lives easy.
-Robert A. Heinlein
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