Teething is a very normal process, though it can be tough. Your baby’s tooth has to break through the gums, which can cause them pain and distress. Here, our children's dentists explain the signs and symptoms of teething and how to cope with them.
Baby teeth usually come in around 6 months of age, but it isn’t unusual for teeth to appear as early as 3 months or late as 12 months. Every child is different, but most will have all 20 primary teeth by the time they are 3 years old.
Children should see a dentist within 6 months of their first tooth coming through or by the time they are 12 months old.
Teething Signs & Symptoms
Your baby’s teething process can be painful and long for both of you. When your child is getting their teeth, their gums may be swollen and tender. While every baby differs during the teething process you can expect a few fussy nights, maybe even a couple of good cries.
Common symptoms of teething include:
- Drooling
- Putting everything in their mouth
- Lack of sleep
- Irritability
- Decreased appetite
- Swollen and tender gums
- Rubbing face or pulling at ears
Coping With Teething
To help relieve your child's discomfort due to teething, there are a number of remedies you can try.
Pressure often helps with the pain and swelling of teething. You can massage your baby's gums with a clean finger. You can also offer them something to chew on, like a cold or frozen face cloth or a rubber teething ring.
Remember, your presence is one of the most comforting things during this time, so be sure to try a few things to help your baby feel more comfortable, and when in doubt offer up a hug.
Hopefully, you’ll learn what works best for your child along the way.