Everyone is born with teeth, they just stay underneath the gums for a while! Between 6 months and 1 year old, your baby’s teeth will start to come in, causing soreness in the gums and drooling. Dr. Larry Caldwell, your pediatric dentist in Wharton, TX, offers some tips for helping to soothe your baby’s discomfort and fussiness during teething. Once those teeth have made some progress, make an appointment at Caldwell & Steinbring Dentistry for Children.
Signs Your Baby is Teething
- Tender and Sore Gums
- Drooling
- Rash around the mouth
- Irritability
- Chewing
Tips to Ease Discomfort
Teething can be very uncomfortable for a baby, but there are several ways you can help. Different ways of applying pressure, and providing safe things to chew on are general ideas. Here are some ideas.
- Gum Massage - Thoroughly clean hands and massage the gums gently with your finger. Try this if your baby wakes up during the night, to help her relax and fall asleep.
- Cold Washcloth - Soak a washcloth in water and wring it out so it is damp. Cool it down in the freezer, and give it to the baby to chew. Never leave the baby alone when chewing, as any object can become a choking hazard.
- Refrigerated Teething Toys - Any object or pacifier your baby already uses can be refrigerated to enhance its effects. The cold can slightly numb the baby’s gums to reduce pain.
- Milk or Formula Popsicles - To encourage your baby to eat during this painful time, freezing breastmilk or formula in BPA-free popsicle molds works wonders. This snack is very messy so put a bib on your little one, or place her in a high chair.
- Wipe-Off Drool - While your baby teeth, there will be a lot of drool. Try to wipe it off of her face to prevent a drool rash, and put a bib on while she teeth so clothes don’t soak.
- A Little Extra TLC - When a baby is feeling stress or discomfort, a little extra cuddle and comfort go a long way. Carry your baby around, rock her gently, or nurse a little extra.
Now that your little one is on the way to a mouthful of baby teeth, now is a good time to take her in for her very first dentist visit. Choose a practice with a bright and kid-oriented atmosphere and doctors who specialize in working with children, like Caldwell & Steinbring in Sugar Land, TX. Contact us if you have any questions, request an appointment, and visit our blog for more pediatric dental news and advice.