Teething is a pivotal transition stage for any toddler, giving them the ability to chew food and transition to a solid diet. For most children, teething occurs between four and eight months of age, so one has a large range of time in which to expect teething to begin. There are five primary signs that a toddler is teething and being aware of them can drastically increase the likelihood of comfort for one’s child. The best option, however, is to prepare for this event ahead of time for the best results.
Preparing for Teething
Anyone who has a young child should take several steps to prepare for the teething process. There are a variety of different items that can come in handy for dealing with both the pain and discomfort of teething, including:
• oral numbing solution for infants
• a teething ring
• low-dose acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• diphenhydramine (Bendadryl) for children – To facilitate sleep if necessary
For more information on how to prepare for teething, Genesis Dental can help.
Symptoms of Teething
Biting
One of the biggest indicators that one’s child is teething is incessant biting. In this time, a baby will be willing to bite just about anything, from pacifiers to chair legs. Because of this, biting is one of the most obvious signs that one’s toddler’s baby teeth are coming through the gum-line. This biting is a response to the mild pain that a baby feels while teething and is can be an effective relief.
The best thing one can do if they see their child teething is to purchase a teething ring. A teething ring can help the child find a positive outlet for their biting.
Drooling
Drooling is another huge symptom that one’s baby is teething. While not every baby drools a lot, some will have drool literally flowing out of their mouth. This drool is a physical response to the feeling of something new entering the child’s mouth and is an attempt to try and digest it. During this time, it can be a good idea to purchase a small rag to keep with one in order to deal with this drooling.
Spitting Up
Spitting up is another common symptom of teething. While most babies aged four to eight months spit up fairly regularly, those who are teething will spit-up much more frequently. This is likely due to the large amount of drool being swallowed during the teething process.
Fussiness
While some babies are naturally more fussy than others, it can still be a powerful sign that one’s baby is teething — especially when in combination with other symptoms.
Not Sleeping
Due to the pain of teething, some babies may have a hard time sleeping. A good remedy for this is Benadryl for children, applied at very low doses to the gums.
Anyone who sees these symptoms being exhibited can be fairly certain that their child is teething. With a few products, one can make the teething process a simple and fairly painless experience.
