Have you noticed that your baby has been irritable, fussy, or unable to sleep? Is your child drooling excessively and chewing everything they can find? Perhaps your child is teething. The baby is born with 20 fully formed baby teeth under their gums. An infant's first teeth erupting through the gums is called teething. In most cases, the front teeth emerge first, followed by lateral incisors, canines, and first molars.
When Do Babies Start Teething?
Teething usually begins between the ages of 2 and 12 months in infants. All 20 baby teeth may not emerge for up to two years. An infected tooth can cause pain and soreness as it begins to cut through the gums. Not every baby will experience discomfort. However, temporary teething symptoms can appear as early as three days before a new tooth appears and can last if three days afterward.
How to Know If Your Baby is Teething?
There are several teething symptoms, including drooling, biting, sucking, gum rubbing, decreased appetite, difficulty sleeping, irritability, and increased body temperature. A temporary teething symptom does not require treatment. While an infant may experience a slight rise in temperature during teething, a persistent fever can signal a more serious illness and should be treated by a healthcare professional. There are several ways to alleviate teething pain in children. One method is to chew. This relieves discomfort. Teething rings provide a clean, safe item on which your baby can chew. Chilled washcloths, teething rings, and spoons are all effective in soothing sore gums due to their cold sensation. A moistened gauze pad and a clean finger can be used to gently rub your baby's gums. Using pressure can help relieve gum discomfort, as with teething rings. Children under two should not use benzocaine teething gels. Benzocaine teething gels should only be used after consulting a healthcare professional.