It’s not always easy to tell when your baby is beginning the teething process. Sometimes a baby’s first tooth can appear as early as three or four months old, but other times, it may not erupt until after their first birthday! That’s why it’s so important that you know the top signs of teething, and what you can do to help ease your little one’s discomfort as their pearly whites come in. Read on as your Nashua pediatric dentist covers when you can expect the teething process to begin, the most common signs of teething, and the best ways to ease teething discomfort.
The Typical Teething Timeline
Parents should be on the lookout for signs of teething once their baby turns three or four months old, but most won’t see any until they’re at least half a year old. The first teeth to appear are usually the two bottom front teeth, followed a few weeks later by the four upper front teeth. From there, the teeth neighboring the bottom front teeth will usually come in about a month later. Next are typically the first molars and the canines, with the final set of second molars not coming in until around their second birthday. While it’s completely normal for this timeline to vary slightly from child to child, always feel free to contact your dentist or doctor if you’re concerned with your little one’s progress.
The Most Common Warning Signs of Teething
Each baby will react to teething differently, so it’s important to know all the warning signs, including:
- Excessive drooling
- Dry, chapped, or red skin around the mouth from drooling
- Coughing
- Bringing their hands to their mouth
- Ear pulling
- Cheek rubbing
- Crying, whining, fussiness, or irritability
- Refusing or reluctance to eat
- Trouble sleeping through the night
- Biting or gnawing, especially on hard objects.
At-Home Remedies for Teething Pains
There’s no getting around it: teething is likely going to be a somewhat uncomfortable process for your little one. Fortunately, there are several tried-and-true at-home teething pain remedies you can use, such as:
- Cold foods, drinks, or toys: To numb the soreness and ease inflammation, you can give your baby cold drinks, cold food, or refrigerated chewing toys.
- Chewing toys or methods: Specialized teething toys, especially ones that can be refrigerated, from trusted companies could help reduce discomfort. You could also let your baby chew on your clean finger or a wet washcloth.
- Children’s pain relievers: If needed, you can consider using infant acetaminophen or infant ibuprofen. Be careful to follow the instructions closely and consult your pediatrician beforehand.
Teething is an exciting milestone to reach as your little one grows. Watch out for these signs and use these tips to help make the process a smooth one!
About the Practice
Our team here at Simply Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics is dedicated to helping the little smiles of Nashua get the healthy start they deserve. Our in-house pediatric dentists have advanced training and a true heart for children, so you can rest assured that your little one will receive the gentle, personalized care that they need. We offer early oral health assessments, teething techniques, help with non-nutritive habits, and anything else a growing smile might need. We can be reached online or at (603) 880-5002.