When teeth start erupting, some children have a relatively easy time. However, others are not so lucky and may suffer from painful teething symptoms. These symptoms are varied and may present differently in each child. Teething may begin from around 4 to 7 months, and some of the symptoms are as follows:
- Sore and red gums
- Flushed cheeks
- Fever (usually mild temperature)
- Rubbing the cheek or pulling the ears
- Drooling, which can cause rashes on the cheeks
- Fussiness, crying, irritability, and difficulty falling asleep
- Change in eating or sleeping patterns
Teething can be troublesome, but it doesn’t usually make babies sick. You should consult a doctor if your child has diarrhea, vomiting, rashes on the body, a higher fever, or a cough and congestion which are not normal signs of teething.
Your child will want to chew on objects to relieve the itchiness of gums. Teething rings, pacifiers, spoons, or a clean, wet washcloth should be provided for this purpose. These objects should be cleaned after each usage. Teethers should be kept cold (but not frozen) as it will soothe the gums. The gums of the baby can be gently massaged, rubbing them with clean fingers. You should never put anything in your baby’s mouth that isn’t specifically approved or considered safe to help soothe teething. Some commercial products may not be suitable, so consult your doctor before using them.
Visiting the pediatric dentist:
A pediatric dentist trains for three additional years in pediatric dentistry. The additional training focuses on the management and treatment of a child’s developing teeth, child behavior, physical growth and development, and knowledge regarding the treatment of children with special needs (such as autism, down syndrome, cerebral palsy, etc.). Every child should have visited the pediatric dentist by their first birthday and should continue visiting every six months. A child is in a state of active growth and development, so any disease/condition should be diagnosed and treated at the earliest stage.
