{"id":998,"date":"2020-05-06T19:30:14","date_gmt":"2020-05-06T19:30:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mydentalpracticeblog.com\/alexandriapediatricdentistry\/dental-care-blog\/our-top-5-teething-tips\/"},"modified":"2020-05-06T19:30:14","modified_gmt":"2020-05-06T19:30:14","slug":"our-top-5-teething-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mydentalpracticeblog.com\/alexandriapediatricdentistry\/dental-care-blog\/our-top-5-teething-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"Our Top 5 Teething Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"

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AS ADULTS, SOME OF US<\/b> might remember what it was like when we were kids and we had adult molars coming in. Babies and toddlers go through the same thing, except that unlike older kids, they have no way of understanding why their gums are so sore and uncomfortable. Teething can be a difficult time for parents as well, which is why we\u2019re here to offer you some tips on helping your teething child.<\/p>\n

1. Know the Stages of Teething<\/h3>\n

Teething doesn\u2019t happen all at once or all the same way, it happens in stages. The first stage is eruption<\/strong>, when the baby teeth begin to travel from the jaw bones up through the gum tissue. Next is the cutting stage<\/strong>, when the teeth actually break through the gum tissue and become visible. Both stages can be painful for young children, but because they lack the words to explain this, it manifests through behaviors like acting tired, picky about what they eat, or hungry at unusual times.<\/p>\n

2. Recognize Teething Symptoms<\/h3>\n

The first baby teeth, the lower central incisors, typically appear between six months and the baby\u2019s first birthday (though a few months outside that in either direction shouldn\u2019t be cause for alarm<\/strong>). Every child is different, but that general range should give you a good idea of when teething symptoms might begin. The most common teething symptoms include:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Excessive drooling<\/li>\n
  • Trouble sleeping<\/li>\n
  • Rejection of previously enjoyed foods<\/li>\n
  • General irritability<\/li>\n
  • Avoidance of biting, chewing, or sucking on anything<\/li>\n
  • Biting, chewing, and sucking on everything<\/li>\n
  • Unwillingness to breastfeed<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    3. Recognize Symptoms NOT Associated with Teething<\/h3>\n

    As important as it is to recognize teething symptoms for what they are, it\u2019s also important to know what is not a symptom of teething<\/strong>, as it could indicate a different and potentially more serious health problem in the child. Diarrhea, runny nose, and fever are not commonly associated with teething and could be signs of a virus. If these symptoms persist or worsen, the child should be seen by a pediatrician.<\/p>\n

    4. Soothing a Teething Baby or Toddler<\/h3>\n

    Fortunately, there is a lot we can do for our kids<\/strong> when they\u2019re struggling through the teething process. Firstly, continue breastfeeding if possible. Breast milk can actually reduce the pain of teething. Next, give them teething toys to chew on. It can soothe the discomfort and help the teeth cut through the gums faster.<\/p>\n