Tips, Myths & More About Your Baby’s Teeth
When you’re a mother of a newborn, the excitement and the angst come in the unknown. That is why we have made a list of 7 helpful things you should know about your child’s incoming teeth. From what you can expect and how to take care their teeth properly, we want to keep your little smiling for many years to come.
1) When Teeth Arrive
You should expect to see your baby’s first tooth/teeth between 4-7 months. It is perfectly normal if your baby’s teeth aren’t sprouting during this time; however, if you don’t see any signs by 18 months you may want to consult with your pediatrician. A general timeline of when to expect your baby’s teeth to come in is between 6 months to 2 years.
2) Teething Happens
In your baby’s first year of life, teething may be associated with such signs as drooling, swollen gums, irritability and mild congestion. In this case you can give them something that is cooling and hard to chew such as a teething ring or a cold wash cloth. Placing the ring in the fridge or freezer is very helpful.
3) Signs of Teething
Symptoms to be aware of while your baby is teething are high fever, diarrhea, vomiting, overly inflamed gums, or if the gums have lesions or bumps. In any of these cases, you should contact your pediatrician.
4) Pain Relief ‘No-No’
It is not recommended to give your baby any kind of pain reliever or medicine without consulting your pediatrician first. Medical conditions can occur such as seizures or lack of oxygen that can result in life-threatening problems when giving your baby such medication as aspirin, homeopathic teething tablets and gels and anything that contains benzocaine, according to The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
5) Old Myths
Do not rub any sort of alcohol on irritated or swollen gums. It is a myth that this can be a pain reliever but in fact can be poisonous to a baby.
6) It’s a Good Sign
Teething is an important milestone in your child’s life because it will show that they are developing at the correct pace. Teething will help your baby to begin to eat a well-rounded diet, acquiring them to eat certain essential foods in assisting in weight gain, strengthening immunity and improving bone and brain development. If your baby is eating puréed everything for too long they may not be developing on the right track.
7) When to Schedule a Visit
Your baby’s first dental visit should be scheduled at 6 months to a year, recommended by The American Association of Pediatric Dentistry. From there your dentist should give you further advice on when to schedule your next visit.
We are so happy for you and your little one! Thank you for taking the time to educate yourself on the best oral hygiene practices for your baby. If you have any further questions, concerns, or would like to set up their first appointment, call us at (805) 884-1874 for Santa Barbara, (805) 735-2702 for Lompoc, or https://pathwaydentalgroup.com/contact/reach us here.
Dr. Erin Baer was raised in Danville, California and earned a General Science degree from the University of Oregon with minors in Chemistry and Business Administration. After college, Dr. Baer returned to the Bay Area and attended the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry in San Francisco. She graduated with honors and received a Doctorate of Dental Surgery in 2005.
Sources & Additional Resources For This Article:
http://www.parents.com/baby/health/baby-teeth/myths-about-baby-teeth/
http://www.parenting.com/article/guide-teething-symptoms
https://www.babycenter.com/0_teething-signs-and-symptoms_10357437.bc