Helping Your Baby Deal with Teething Pain and Discomfort

Teething isn’t just tough on babies. It can be difficult for a parent or caregiver to see their baby crying or fussing because of the discomfort. The pain from those teeth pushing through can lead to crying and many sleepless nights. But don’t lose heart. There are safe things you can do to comfort your little one.
What to Know about the Teething Process
For most babies, teething starts after six months, but some children may take up to 12 months before getting their first tooth. Once it comes in, your baby will grow more teeth for the next couple of years. The top and bottom front teeth are usually the first to show up, with the molars pushing through last. During teething, you can expect your baby to experience the following:
- Crying and fussiness
- Drooling
- Putting things in the mouth to cope with gum pain
- Low-grade fever lower than 101F
Although teething is a normal part of early childhood development, there are signs you should watch for that warrant medical attention, such as diarrhea, runny nose, high fever, and cough. See your child’s pediatrician if no teeth appear after 16 months.
Safe Remedies for Teething Pain
Trying to comfort your child can be challenging when they’re going through teething-related pain. At Beckham Square Family Dental, we recommend the following methods to bring your child some relief:
- Apply something cold to the gums, like a clean, damp washcloth you keep in the refrigerator. Gnawing on a knotted washcloth can be quite soothing for a baby. You can also try a rubber teething ring. Don’t freeze it, which could cause damage to the gums.
- Pain medicine like acetaminophen is safe for babies older than two months. Don’t give ibuprofen to babies younger than six months.
- Massaging the gums with a clean finger can help with the pain. Use gentle pressure for no more than a couple of minutes.
- Rocking and cuddling your child, along with other methods, can bring much comfort to your child.
Things to Avoid During Teething
As you attempt to bring comfort to your baby, you’ll want to avoid giving them the following:
- Frozen teething rings. As we said earlier, placing cold and hard objects on the gums can harm them.
- Teething necklaces. The beads can come loose and present a choking hazard. Your child can also suffer strangulation if the necklace gets caught on something.
- Teething tablets. Belladonna, an ingredient in many teething tablets, can be toxic in high amounts.
- Topical gels. Gels containing benzocaine aren’t safe for children under 2. Even if you find a topical gel without this ingredient, the excess drool will likely wash it away before it can take effect.
Help Your Baby Take the First Steps to Good Dental Health
Seeing your child get their first tooth can be a fun milestone. But this time in a child’s development can also be filled with pain and frustration. Finding a reputable family dentist in the Cincinnati area can help you set your child on a lifelong path of good oral hygiene.
At Beckham Square Family Dental, we recommend scheduling your child’s first dental appointment when that first tooth appears. During the visit, we can address teething pain and other concerns you may have about your baby’s oral health. Contact us today at 513.489.7800 to schedule your child’s first checkup, or use our online contact form.