Teething and dental care in babies

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Have you been looking forward to this phase of teething? Teething is the process by which an infant’s teeth erupt, or breakthrough, the gums. Teething is also referred to as “cutting” of the teeth. Teething is medically termed odontiasis.

When does teething happen?

The onset of teething symptoms typically precedes the eruption of a tooth by several days. While a baby’s first tooth can appear between 4 and 10 months of age, the first tooth usually erupts at approximately 6 months of age though some dentists have noted a family pattern of “early,” “average,” or “late” teethers. Late teething doesn’t signal a problem with a child’s overall development.

How do I know my Baby is teething?

  • Trying to bite, chew, and suck on everything
  • Excessive drool
  • Fussier and grumpier than usual
  • Disturbances in sleep patterns
  • Fever
  • rashes
  • a cough
  • Decreased appetite
  • Pulling of ears and rubbing of chin and cheeks
  • You will see the teeth trying  come out beneath the gum
  • Swollen, bulging gums

Facts about Teething

Teething is the process by which a baby’s teeth erupt, or breakthrough, the gums.

Teething generally occurs between 6 to 24 months of age.

Symptoms of teething include irritability, tender and swollen gums, and the infant wanting to place objects or fingers into the mouth in an attempt to reduce discomfort.

Fever, cough, diarrhoea and cold symptoms are not found when a child is teething.

Oral over-the-counter pain relievers generally provide relief of symptoms.
Topical medications containing benzocaine may cause serious and potentially lethal side effects and should not be used to treat teething symptoms.

References

  1. Babycenter. Teething signs. Accessed on 18th October 2018.
  2. Medicinenet. Teething. Accessed on 18th October 2018.

 

 

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