Teething is the process by which a baby’s teeth break through its gums, which can often be quite painful.
This post will answer the following key questions:
Most babies usually start teething around 6 months of age but some early teethers can begin the teething process before they are even 4 months of age, and some late teethers may begin teething after 12 months. The pain associated with teething also starts around the same time.
Teething symptoms include painful and swollen gums. Be on the lookout for when your baby wants to place an object or hand inside its mouth, as it may be attempting to find some relief from the pain and is often a sign that your baby is teething.
While most babies will start to teeth on or after the 6-month mark, there are cases in which “early teethers” start to teeth before 4 months of age.
Sometimes babies will show no obvious signs or symptoms of teething at all. Other times you may notice:
your teething baby's gum is sore and/or red where the tooth is coming through
one cheek is flushed/red
Fever, diarrhea and rashes are not normal symptoms of teething. Always contact your pediatrician if you're unsure.
Teething pain is often associated with variable levels of pain during the few days before the tooth breaks through the gum line during the teething process. The entire teething process itself can vary greatly, but most babies usually start teething around the 6-month mark, and most children will have all their milk teeth by the time they are 2 ½ years old.
Teething can be painful and/or stressful for some babies, but thankfully there are ways to soothe and distract them.
Comforting or playing with your baby can distract them from the pain in their gums. If that doesn’t work try gently rubbing their gums with a clean finger.
Food pacifiers are a great way to both soothe and distract your baby.
You can soothe your baby’s pain by adding frozen milk or ice, or distract them with new (healthy) tastes depending on their age.
For the best of both worlds you can even freeze some fruit/veg for both a soothing and distracting effect.
Teething rings give your baby a chance to chew something safely. This may help soothe their teething gums and distract them from the pain.
Some teethers are made of softer silicone while others are made of a harder material.
You'll probably want to try both to see how your baby responds.
Never tie a teething ring around your baby’s neck as it may be a choking hazard.
Although teething gels do exist, the evidence to support their efficacy is weak. It is often better to try non-medical options before going down this route.
If you do decide to try, then make sure you :
get a gel that is specifically designed for young children
Painkilling medicine may help ease your baby’s pain if they are 3 months or older. Make sure to get a sugar-free medicine, follow the instructions that come with the medicine, and always consult your GP or pharmacist. Children under 16 years of age should not have aspirin.
You can start oral care for your baby right away, but at first the care won’t involve a toothbrush or toothpaste.
Before your baby’s teeth come in, you can start with the following steps:
Get a piece of gauze
You can already start brushing your baby’s teeth as soon as the first tooth comes through. Use a baby toothbrush with a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste. Your child’s pediatrician may suggest waiting until four teeth in a row have come out or waiting until a certain age.
It’s important to get your baby used to brushing their teeth as part of their daily routine, so starting early is great, even if you don’t manage to brush much at first. You can also make it easier by letting them see you brush your own teeth – lead by example!
Once your baby’s teeth start to come through you can clean them with a toothbrush, but make sure the toothbrush has:
a small head
Alternatively you can use a finger toothbrush which fits around your finger while cleaning your baby's mouth and teeth.
A finger toothbrush can give you more control than a normal toothbrush which often makes the cleaning process easier, and is great for a thorough clean.
To clean your baby’s teeth follow these steps:
Wet the toothbrush for a few minutes in warm water to ensure the bristles are soft.
Apply a tiny amount of fluoride toothpaste (equivalent to the size of a grain of rice) for toddlers up to 3 years old, and a pea-sized amount for children aged 3-6 years.
When your child is ready to start trying to brush their own teeth, make sure you keep supervising them to be certain that they get the right amount of toothpaste and that they’re not licking any from the tube. Continue to supervise brushing until your child is at least 7 years of age.
Teething can be painful and/or stressful for some babies, but thankfully there are ways to soothe and distract them. Below you will find key information on how to make your little one's life easier as they go through the teething process.
Comforting or playing with your baby can distract them from the pain in their gums. If that doesn’t work try gently rubbing their gums with a clean finger.
Food pacifiers are a great way to both soothe and distract your baby at the same time.
You can soothe your baby’s pain by adding frozen milk or ice, or distract them with new (healthy) tastes depending on their age.
For the best of both worlds you can even freeze some fruit/veg for both a soothing and distracting effect.
Teething toys give your baby a chance to chew something safely. This may help soothe their teething gums and distract them from the pain.
Some teethers which are made of silicone are made of softer silicone, some of harder material.
You'll want to try both kinds to determine which suits your baby best.
Never tie a teething ring around your baby’s neck as it may be a choking hazard.
Although teething gels do exist, the evidence to support their efficacy is weak. It is often better to try non-medical options before going down this route.
If you do decide to try, then make sure you :
get a gel that is specifically designed for young children
Painkilling medicine may help ease your baby’s pain if they are 3 months or older. Make sure to get a sugar-free medicine, follow the instructions that come with the medicine, and always consult your GP or pharmacist. Children under 16 years of age should not have aspirin.
Interested in knowing more about how to take care of your baby's mouth and new teeth to reduce the chance of tooth decay? Check this article out:
Keeping your baby's mouth clean from the start will setup healthy habits and diminish the chance of tooth decay in the future, making your lives much easier. Below you will find the information you need to keep on top of your baby's oral health!
You can start oral care for your baby right away, but at first the care won’t involve a toothbrush or toothpaste.
Before your baby’s teeth come in, you can start with the following steps:
Get a piece of gauze
You can already start brushing your baby’s teeth as soon as the first tooth comes through. Use a baby toothbrush with a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste. Your child’s pediatrician may suggest waiting until four teeth in a row have come out or waiting until a certain age.
It’s important to get your baby used to brushing their teeth as part of their daily routine, so starting early is great, even if you don’t manage to brush much at first. You can also make it easier by letting them see you brush your own teeth – lead by example!
Once your baby’s teeth start to come through you can clean them with a normal toothbrush, but make sure the toothbrush has:
a small head
Alternatively you can use a finger toothbrush which fits around your finger while cleaning your baby's mouth and teeth.
A finger toothbrush can give you more control than a normal toothbrush and is great for a thorough clean.
To clean your baby’s teeth follow these steps:
Wet the toothbrush for a few minutes in warm water to ensure the bristles are soft.
Apply a tiny amount of fluoride toothpaste (equivalent to the size of a grain of rice) for toddlers up to 3 years old, and a pea-sized amount for children aged 3-6 years.
When your child is ready to start trying to brush their own teeth, make sure you keep supervising them to be certain that they get the right amount of toothpaste and that they’re not licking any from the tube. Continue to supervise brushing until your child is at least 7 years of age.
Interested in a comprehensive guide to baby teething pain, relief and care? Check this article out:
Teething pain comes from the process of teething, where a baby’s teeth erupt or break through its gums. Below you can find all the information you'll need to understand your baby's teething pain.
The pain associated with teething starts around the same time as the teething process does. Most babies usually start teething around 6 months of age but some early teethers can begin the teething process before they are even 4 months of age, and some late teethers may begin teething after 12 months.
Teething symptoms include painful and swollen gums. Be on the lookout for when your baby wants to place an object or hand inside its mouth, as it may be attempting to find some relief from the pain and is often a sign that your baby is teething.
Sometimes babies will show no obvious signs or symptoms of teething at all. Other times you may notice:
your teething baby's gum is sore and/or red where the tooth is coming through
one cheek is flushed/red
Fever, diarrhea and rashes are not normal symptoms of teething. Always contact your pediatrician if you're unsure.
Teething pain is often associated with variable levels of pain during the few days before the tooth breaks through the gum line during the teething process. The entire teething process itself can vary greatly, but most babies usually start teething around the 6-month mark, and most children will have all their milk teeth by the time they are 2 ½ years old.
For the latest info about teething pain relief check out this article: