Most of the milestones your infant reaches are exciting, like crawling or their first word. Unfortunately, your baby teething is usually a milestone that you’re dreading. There are many ways to help soothe a teething baby. These methods can help to keep your baby as comfortable as possible throughout their teething experience. Teething can begin at a different age for each infant, though it generally begins around 4-8 months old. Understanding the signs of teething can help you to differentiate between a cold and the regular symptoms of teething. These are often confused, because the infant’s immune system begins to develop around the same time that they begin teething. This makes them more vulnerable to infections and illness. Here at Mountain View Pediatric Dentistry, we provide excellent services to optimize the health of your children’s teeth.
Baby Teething Symptoms
Knowing the symptoms of a teething baby can help you to react appropriately and soothe your infant. It can maximize the health of your baby, as well as increase their comfort. Increased drooling may indicate that an infant is teething. This can lead to further symptoms. Many people believe that enhanced saliva production is a direct cause of minor diarrhea in infants. Additionally, this can lead to rashes around the mouth, due to the excessive drool over the area. Drool can host bacteria and damage or disrupt the surface of the skin.
Swelling or inflamed gums are another indication that a baby is teething. A baby that is exceedingly irritable and struggles to sleep through the night may be teething. A teething baby generally has a loss of appetite and is more likely to bite, suck, or pull on their ears. Additionally, coughing may be a symptom of teething, as the increased saliva production can cause them to choke or cough. Slightly raised temperature is also consistent with a teething baby, but it is important to keep an eye on any temperature increases. A high temperature is generally not related to a teething infant.
DIY Teething Remedies
There are many ways that you can soothe your teething baby. These remedies can help to comfort your baby and relieve their pain. Taking advantage of cold can help to numb the gum area and relieve the pain. However, you should avoid using frozen implements to relieve your baby’s teething pain. Many experts agree that extremely cold temperatures can further aggravate the pain. Keep some teething toys or wet washcloths in the fridge rather than the freezer. For older babies, you can use cold drinks and food to help relieve the teething pain.
Massaging gums can also help to relieve the pain of a teething baby. Wash your hands prior to massaging your infant’s gums, as they are particularly vulnerable to infection during this time. Try to gently wipe the drool from the baby’s face regularly. This can help to prevent rashes and discomfort from occurring. While your baby is teething, you should make sure to provide them with extra comfort. The more snuggles, attention, and love you give them, the better they will feel. Babies may experience an increase in separation anxiety when they are teething. Baby pain relievers, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can also be implemented when these methods don’t work to relieve the pain of a teething infant. However, it is important to consult with your baby’s doctor prior to giving them any kind of medication.
Baby Teething Fever
It is vital to pay attention to a baby’s temperature when they are teething. Many people believe that it is natural for a teething baby to have a fever. However, though slightly elevated temperatures are natural, the medical definition of a fever is not. A high fever, which is generally considered 100.4°F or higher, is indicative of more serious problems with your infant. Babies are particularly vulnerable to colds or infections during this time period, so a baby with a high fever can be dangerous. If your infant has experienced a high fever, you should consult with your pediatrician immediately.
How to Soothe a Teething Baby at Night
A baby that doesn’t sleep through the night can be incredibly wearing to the infant’s caretakers. The methods that you use throughout the day generally are ineffective when you are attempting to get your baby to sleep. Implementing these methods throughout the day can go a long way toward relieving your infant’s discomfort at night. First and foremost, you should never listen to the old wives’ tale of rubbing alcoholic beverages on the gums to relieve pain. This can be dangerous for the baby. There are pain relievers that can help to provide pain relief at night. Ensure that you consult with your doctor prior to giving any medication to your baby. When you use a doctor-approved medication, you may want to give your baby a cold washcloth to help relieve discomfort while you wait for the pain reliever to kick in.
When your teething baby keeps you awake through the night, it is important to remember that this is a temporary state. Your baby won’t be teething forever, and the sleepless nights will end soon enough. Implementing these techniques can help to keep your teething baby as comfortable as possible.
Contact us Today!
Though children’s teeth aren’t permanent, it is still incredibly important to take excellent care of them. By consulting with us at Mountain View Pediatric Dentistry, you can learn all of the methods that you need to take to ensure your children’s teeth are built on a firm foundation. We recommend that you bring your infant in to see us before they reach 12 months of age. Infant dental visits are vital to protect their teeth from the very beginning. Ideally, an infant should have their first dental visit after the first tooth has erupted from the gums and before 12 months old. To learn more about taking superior care of your children’s teeth, contact our experts at Mountain View Pediatric Dentistry today! We offer an array of other services to maximize the health of your children’s teeth.