Teething is an important physiological process that parents look forward to with both anticipation and fear. To avoid possible problems, you should familiarize yourself with the specifics of the process in advance and learn how to help your child.
What parents need to know when their baby is teething
The timing of teething can vary significantly. Usually, the first tooth in a baby appears at 5-6 months, and the formation of the milk row is completed by 3 years. However, individual differences are possible, associated with heredity, the type of feeding of the baby, gender (incisors appear a little earlier in girls than in boys), and the mother's diet during pregnancy.
It is important to follow the stages of eruption of baby teeth:
- 2 lower central incisors (5-9 months);
- 2 upper central incisors (8-12 months);
- 2 upper lateral incisors (10-12 months);
- 2 lower lateral incisors (12-15 months);
- 4 front molars (10-16 months);
- 4 canines (16-20 months);
- 4 middle molars (20-30 months).
In some children, the middle molars erupt first, followed by the canines, which is a variant of the norm.
How to speed up teething? This is a physiological process, so it is impossible to influence it.
Teething is an important, but often difficult, period in the life of a baby and his parents. It is important to provide comfort and support to the child at this time. There are no universal rules, because each child is unique, but knowing the key aspects of this process will help you cope with the difficulties and remain calm. If you have any doubts or concerns, do not hesitate to contact your pediatrician - we are always ready to help and support.
Signs of teething in a child
The reactions of a child's body to teething are individual, but several characteristic symptoms are known:
- excessive salivation – saliva becomes more viscous and flows down the chin;
- redness (sometimes turning white or blue) and swelling of the gums;
- Itchy gums – the child puts everything they can get their hands on into their mouth.
As a result, babies become restless and cranky, sleep poorly, cry often. They may lose their appetite and refuse to eat.
Sometimes the symptoms of teething resemble the signs of a cold. The baby may have a fever, runny nose and cough, which is a consequence of the accumulation of saliva in the throat. For the same reason, a rash may appear around the mouth and on the chin. In some cases, diarrhea occurs, which is associated with irritation of the nervous system.
Only a doctor can tell you how to help your child with teething. Self-medication can significantly worsen the baby's condition.
Important! If the fever, cough, and diarrhea do not go away within three days, you should take your baby to a pediatrician, as babies are more susceptible to infections during teething.
Duration of teething
Typically, the process of eruption of one tooth takes from 2 to 8 days, but unpleasant symptoms persist for 2-3 days.
Temperature during teething: what to do?
Antipyretics should only be given to children when the temperature has risen to 38 degrees and only on the advice of a doctor. If the temperature has reached 40 degrees, an ambulance should be called.
How to help a baby when teething?
To ensure that teething in babies goes smoothly, follow these tips:
- Don't be nervous, stay calm. The anxiety of loved ones will negatively affect the baby's emotional state.
- Surround your baby with tenderness and love so that he feels calm and safe. Play with him, find some interesting activities for him.
- Buy teethers (special elastic toys) for the gums that relieve itching and make teething easier.
- Massage your gums with your fingers for a few minutes to relieve inflammation. Wash your hands thoroughly beforehand.
- Provide enhanced antibacterial protection. Ventilate the room as often as possible, do wet cleaning, sterilize pacifiers, and wash toys.
You can use a special gel that relieves itching and pain, but you should consult a pediatrician first.
It is necessary to contact a pediatrician if complications arise:
- early appearance of teeth (up to 4 months);
- no signs of teething at 8 months;
- aphthous stomatitis, which is manifested by rashes and purulent ulcers in the mouth;
- hematoma (cyst) formation – redness appears above the tooth, which gradually transforms into a lump;
- enamel hypoplasia – the presence of clearly visible damage;
- violation of the order of teeth eruption – the appearance of molars before incisors;
- crowding of teeth;
- malocclusion (improper jaw closure).
It is also worth consulting a doctor if you have a high temperature during teething, a runny nose, cough, and diarrhea to rule out infectious diseases.