Teething is a natural part of growth in babies, but many new parents are caught off guard. When the first tooth pops through is the beginning of a journey that will last their entire life. Once teeth start filling in, they’re on their way to solid foods and that’ when the fun begins.
The biggest issue with teething for parents is how it impacts the baby. No parent wants to see their child in pain and discomfort, but teething can be difficult for small babies who aren’t used to it. Parents should look out for the telltale signs of teething and provide as much relief as they can.
How Do I Know if my Baby’s Teething?
For many babies, teething is their first experience with long-term pain. They may have had the occasional bump or bruise, but the discomfort that comes with teething is very different. Your baby’s behavior will likely be the first sign of teething you’ll notice.
Teething doesn’t occur when the tooth breaks through the skin. It happens as it pushes up and the gum becomes sensitive and possibly swollen. The baby becomes fussy and often inconsolable. The pain can cause them to have difficulty sleeping and eating.
They might develop a slight fever and start chewing and biting things to ease the pain. If it’s far enough along, you can run your finger along their gum and feel the protruding tooth.
More Intense Signs of Teething
The above are the most common signs your baby is teething, but there might be more subtle signs as well. These may seem more serious, but they’re quite normal.
Your child may drool more when teething. This excessive drool causes a rash on the outside of their mouth. Swallowing the drool can also lead to diarrhea.
Teething can also lead to swollen lymph nodes and blood blisters when the tooth comes in.
Helping Your Child with Tooth Pain
Once you’ve nailed down the culprit of your baby’s pain, you can start relieving it. The gums are very sensitive, so gently rubbing the gums can help soothe the pain.
There are teething rings you can use as well. Don’t use the teething rings with liquid inside as they can burst. Instead, find a teething ring and place it in the refrigerator to cool. The coolness helps alleviate the pain. This also works with cold foods such as ice cream, fruit, etc.
If nothing seems to help, distract your baby to keep their mind off the pain. A new toy and playing with mom and dad are great ways to not only help with pain but bond with the baby.
If your child is teething and you’d like to have him see a dentist, feel free to contact us today.