Teething in children
Teething in children
Teething in children
Contents
1 Teething
2 Signs of teething in infants
3 symptoms unrelated to teething
4 Relieving teething symptoms
5 See a doctor
6 Taking care of the child’s teeth
7 References
Teething
Teething is an integral part of a child’s normal development.
it is represented by the thrust of the milk teeth through the gums to find their way out,
usually, the teething process begins during the age between six to nine months of the child’s life,
the time of teething may differ from one child to another, it is possible that the teething phase begins before or after that age,
Usually, the teething process is completed when the child reaches two and a half to three years of age,
It should be noted that the lower front teeth known as Central Incisors are the first teeth to appear usually.
This is followed by the four upper teeth, known as the central and lateral incisors, after about four to eight weeks.
About a month later, the lower lateral incisors begin to appear, and then the first molar appears.
The molars are back teeth that help chew food,
The appearance of the molars follows the appearance of the eyeteeth, which are the pointed teeth that grow in the upper jaw.
Then twenty of the primary teeth of the child are completed with the completion of the third year of life at most,
It is worth noting that the teething stage may be accompanied by the emergence of a group of symptoms,
The good news is that these symptoms can usually be controlled by adhering to some advice and instructions from the parents at home.
Signs of teething
In infants, the teething stage is an important stage in a child’s life.
It may be accompanied by many symptoms and signs,
But in a few cases, it is possible that the teething phase is not accompanied by any noticeable symptoms in the child.
The following are the most important symptoms and signs that may appear on children at this stage:
First: excessive drooling
Second: gum pain and redness
Third: the child’s crying and emotion
Fourth: Sleep disturbances
Fifth: the child’s refusal of food
Sixth: Rub the cheek and pull the ear
Seventh: a child’s high temperature
Symptoms unrelated to teething
In the context of talking about the symptoms and signs of teething in children, it should be noted that some symptoms may be believed to be related to teething,
In fact, it has nothing to do with teething, and among these symptoms:
- diarrhea
- Cough
- Vomiting
- Runny nose
- The appearance of a rash on the child’s body
- High fever.
Relieving teething symptoms
There are a number of options that can be used to relieve pain associated with teething and other symptoms,
But it is worth noting that an effective choice for a child does not have to be effective for other children.
As children vary in response to the available options,
Among the tips and options that can be used to relieve symptoms of teething are the following:
1- Use a suitable and clean teether,
And it is worth choosing the teether to be made of a flexible material and does not contain liquid to prevent its breakage and the entry of the liquid into the child’s mouth,
It is worth paying attention to the nature of the material the teether is made of; Not everything sold under the name of teether is safe,
2- Massaging the baby’s gums using a clean finger or a piece of gauze
The application of pressure helps relieve the feeling of pain.
Coldwater compresses can also be applied to the child’s gums because cold relieves pain.
You can take advantage of this idea by placing the teether in the refrigerator or pacifiers as well, being careful not to freeze it.
3- Providing solid foods to the child if the child is suitable,
For example, carrots or peeled and chilled cucumbers can be offered to a child if he is able to eat them.
4- Make sure to use a clean tissue to dry the saliva that flows from the child’s mouth during the teething stage, to prevent skin irritation or damage in one way or another.
5- Using painkillers
Painkillers can be used in the event that the aforementioned options fail to relieve teething symptoms in the child
Taking care to consult a doctor, especially if this is the first time that the child is given a pain reliever,
In order to determine the appropriate dose,
It is worth noting that paracetamol, in general, can be given to children who have passed the third month of life.
While Ibuprofen is given to those who have reached the age of six months,
Taking care not to give this medicine to a child on an empty stomach,
It is worth noting that aspirin should not be used because its use is associated with the development of a very serious syndrome known as Reye’s syndrome
In the context of talking about medicines, it is worth noting that the Food and Drug Administration has warned against:
Use of topical or oral analgesics containing Benzocaine for those under the age of two,
Also, it is forbidden to use lidocaine at this age.
Visit a doctor during teething
Although teething is considered a part of a child’s development, it is not usually a cause for concern,
However, there are some cases that require a visit to the doctor, including the following:
- A child’s temperature rises to 38 ° C if the child is less than three months old.
- If the child’s temperature rises to 38.8 ° C, if the child is more than three months old.
- The child’s severe temperature continues to rise for nearly 24 hours or more.
Signs such as:
- diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Rashes are associated with high temperature.
- The child feels very sleepy.
- Inability to comfort the child.
- The child’s loss of appetite for more than two weeks.
Taking care of baby’s teeth
It is necessary to start cleaning the child’s mouth and gums even before the teeth erupt,
This is in order to avoid problems that may affect the gums and teeth, such as decay.
As the tooth decay increases the chance of the baby’s milk teeth falling out earlier than normal,
And before the permanent teeth are ready to protrude,
This fall may lead to the collection of the remaining milk teeth to try to fill the gaps caused by this fall.
And permanent teeth are not in their correct place and shape,
In the following, we mention some tips and instructions that can be followed to maintain the health of the child’s mouth:
1- Daily sterilization of the child’s gums using an appropriate mouthwash, before the onset of his first tooth.
2- Consulting the doctor about the child’s need to use fluoride supplements, which is important to preserve the teeth and protect them from decay,
The child may not need these supplements at all, depending on his age and the water’s fluoride content.
3- Avoid foods and drinks that contain high sugar, because they play a role in tooth decay.
4- Make sure to visit the dentist periodically to follow up on the teeth and their growth,
It should be noted that the first visit to the dentist is in the child’s first year, and not later than his third year.
İmportant notice:
The content of the submitted articles, including all text, graphics, images, and other materials, is provided for educational purposes only.
The information provided is not a substitute for professional medical advice or professional diagnosis.
Moreover, the information on this website should not be taken as final medical advice in relation to any case or individual situation.
We strongly recommend that you always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health service provider with any questions you may have regarding any medical condition, your general health, or the health of your child.
References
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