Teething syndrome — or simply “teething” — is a normal
process that some infants go through as their teeth break, or cut, through
their gums. According to the American Dental Association, babies start teething
when they are between 6 and 12 months old. By the time a child is 3 years old,
they should have a first or primary set of 20 teeth.
Having teeth means your child will be able to eat a bigger
variety of foods, but getting there can be tough on both baby and parent. There
are ways you can make your child more comfortable during the process, and there
are signs that signal when it’s time to call the pediatrician.
Symptoms include:
Each infant has a unique mix of symptoms during teething.
The most common symptoms are mild irritability and a lack of appetite.
Many babies have few or no symptoms when their teeth break
through the gums. Some babies will show at least one or two of the following
symptoms when they begin to teethe:
- drooling
- chewing on solid objects
- mild fussiness and crankiness
- irritability
- loss of appetite
- sore and tender gums
- red and swollen gums
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Relieving your baby’s
teething pain
While teething is a natural process, there are some tried
and true methods to help relieve your baby’s discomfort. You can try rubbing
your child’s gums with a damp washcloth, a clean finger, or a special
gum-rubbing finger pad.
Teething rings are also popular options. Babies can chew on
these to ease the discomfort. If you can, chill a teething ring in the
refrigerator beforehand. This provides pressure on the gums along with a
soothing coolness. You should never freeze the ring because it can break and
possibly choke your infant.
With time, you should begin to introduce harder foods, like
cold fruit and vegetables, to your baby’s diet. This is an important milestone
that can also alleviate teething discomfort. Make sure to stay with the child
at all times so you can monitor their chewing and prevent choking.During
teething, a baby’s constant drooling can irritate their skin. Use a bib to keep
your baby’s chin as dry as possible.
How Mouth guards
protect children's teeth
Mouthguards
help protect teeth and keep dental injuries to a minimum, particularly when
playing and training for contact sports. All children playing contact sports
should wear a mouthguard, even primary school-age children. Professionally
fitted mouthguards are comfortable, allow speech and do not restrict breathing.
Suggestions for
parents and carers include:
- Avoid do-it-yourself 'boil and fit' type mouthguards –
they are unlikely to provide effective protection. See your child's dentist to
have a customised mouthguard fitted.
- Make sure your child wears their mouthguard at training
and during the game. It may help to talk to their coach about it as all
sporting clubs are encouraged to have a compulsory mouthguard policy.
- Update your child's mouthguard every 12 to 18 months to
ensure that it still fits and is fully effective. Take it to your regular dental
visit to have it checked for wear and tear.
- Keep the mouthguard clean.
- When not in use, store the mouthguard in a rigid container
and away from heat to make sure it maintains its shape.