When a baby begins to go through the teething process it can be

very painful for them and very frustrating for you as a parent trying

to provide some relief.

Most babies usually start teething around the age of 6 months.

Typically, the two lower front teeth will come in first, followed by

the two top front teeth.

Classic signs and symptoms of teething can include:

•   Drooling, which may begin about two months before the

first tooth appears

•   Irritability or crankiness

•   Swollen gums

•   Chewing on solid objects

Researchers say that teething symptoms will occur in the mouth, but

should not show up anywhere else in the body. So, fevers or

diarrhea are not signs of teething as many parents often think.

Here are a few great remedies to help soothe those sore gums and help

your baby feel more comfortable.

• Rub your baby’s gums. Use a clean finger,

moistened gauze pad or damp washcloth to massage your baby’s

gums. The pressure can ease your baby’s discomfort.

• Offer a teething ring. Try one made of firm rubber.

The liquid-filled variety may break under the pressure of your baby’s

chewing. If a bottle seems to do the trick, fill it with water.

Prolonged contact with sugar from formula, milk or juice may cause

tooth decay.

• Keep it cool. A cold washcloth or chilled

teething ring can be soothing. Don’t give your baby a frozen

teething ring, however. Contact with extreme cold may hurt, doing your

baby more harm than good. If your baby’s eating solid foods, offer cold

items such as applesauce or yogurt.

• Dry the drool. Excessive drooling is part of the teething

process. To prevent skin irritation, keep a clean cloth

handy to dry your baby’s chin. You might also make sure your baby

sleeps on an absorbent sheet.

• Try an over-the-counter remedy. If your baby is especially

cranky, acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen

(Advil, Motrin, others) may help. Don’t give your baby products that

contain aspirin, however, and be cautious about teething medications

that can be rubbed directly on a baby’s gums. The medication may be

washed away by your baby’s saliva before it has the chance to do any

good — and too much of the medication may numb your baby’s throat,

which may interfere with his or her normal gag reflex.

If you haven’t already been doing so, begin running a clean,

damp washcloth over your baby’s gums everyday. This can help

keep the bacteria from building up in your baby’s mouth.

When you see those first little teeth pop in, use a soft-bristled

toothbrush without toothpaste. Water is all you need until your

child learns to spit, which usually happens around age 2.

This is the time to start thinking about regular dental checkups. The

American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric

Dentistry recommend scheduling a child’s first dental visit after

the first tooth erupts and no later than his or her first

birthday. Your baby’s teeth and gums will also be examined at

well-baby checkups. Regular childhood dental care is very important and

can also help teach your child the importance of taking care of their

teeth.

Source:  mayoclinic.com/