Teething 101

Teething is a major developmental milestone in your child’s life and can be a time of great stress for the both of you. Teething babies are constantly fussy and inconsolable. While oral discomfort is a natural part of erupting teeth, you can take basic steps to ease your child’s painful gums.

Most children begin teething between 6 and 12 months, though the temporary teeth are fully formed before the first one erupts. Signs that your child has begun teething include drooling, irritability, and gnawing on hard objects. You can sooth your baby’s frazzled nerves (and your own) by utilizing the following methods:

• Offer your baby a clean object to chew on, such as your finger, a teething ring, or a baby bottle filled with water. The pressure can alleviate your child’s pain.
• Cool your child’s gums with a chilled, damp washcloth to ease pain and reduce gum inflammation.
• Provide hard foods, such as apples, frozen bananas, chilled carrots, or frozen bagels. Monitor your child carefully to prevent a choking hazard.
• Some medications, such as Tylenol or Advil, may help reduce discomfort. Please check with your pediatrician prior to administering medication.

Each case of teething is different, and not all children respond to the same methods. If you cannot find a method that helps your child, call 575-532-5437 and speak with our team at KidsKare P.C.. You can learn more about how to address teething in Las Cruces, New Mexico, by scheduling a consultation with our experienced dentists.