As a new parent, the health of your newborn is your top priority. Understanding everything about your child’s development can be daunting. One common stage of development early on is teething. In this article we will cover the teething timeline, teething soothing methods, and signs that your baby is beginning to teeth.
If you have any questions about your child’s oral health, please give us a call, we would be happy to have you and your bundle of joy in for an appointment at our office in Revere.
One of the first things you should do when your child begins to teeth is schedule that first dental appointment. Generally, dentists recommend that you should bring your baby in when they hit six months old or develop their first teeth (whichever comes first). A quick dental visit can help you get answers to questions about oral health for babies as well as learn about the proper techniques to help your baby through the teething process.
Before we start talking about teething timelines it is important to remember that different kids develop differently. It is not uncommon for a baby to develop quicker or slower than the averages. Whether we are talking about when teeth come in or anything else, you should always remember that these numbers are averages. However, if you are concerned that your child is not teething, consider calling your local pediatric dentist to set up an appointment.
For the first half year of your child’s life it is common for them to have no teeth. Around six months most children start to cut their first tooth. Generally the first teeth to erupt are the bottom front teeth. This is followed by the top front teeth. Your baby will likely get their eight front teeth (4 top & 4 bottom) one after another.
Around your child’s first birthday they will start to develop their first set of four molars. There may be a break between the front teeth and the molars. Molars can be quite painful and your child may regress into earlier teething habits. Your child will also develop their four canines (the pointy teeth between the front teeth and the molars) around the same time. All counted your child will have 16 teeth include 8 front teeth, 4 canines, and 4 molars, around their first birthday.
As your baby gets closer to the the two year mark their teething process will begin to wind down. A second set of four molars will develop in this time. Molars tend to be the most painful teeth to cut because they are broad and flat instead of pointed. Your child may experience increased irritability and pain during this process. Around age two your child will have 20 teeth (8 molars, 4 canines, 8 front teeth).
The teething process can be very painful for your child. It is extremely common for teething to cause a lot of crying and pain. Here are a few of the common signs that your child is beginning to teeth:
The most obvious sign that your child is teething is a change in their mood. Your child will cry more often and become easily agitated. Understand that for your child, teeth cutting might be one of the most painful experiences they have had so far in their lives. A mood shift usually occurs right before the tooth erupts, so if you notice that your child is crying more often it may mean a tooth is about to break through.
Another sign of teething is drooling. Your baby may start to drool and soak through their shirt. Bibs can help with excessive drooling. Drool can cause skin irritation and rashes, so keeping a bib on your child can help prevent these flare ups.
You may notice that your child is biting down more on things that they put in their mouth. This is because your child is trying relieve the pain they feel from the teeth erupting through the gum line. You might notice that your child is constantly looking for things to bite down on and put in their mouth.
As your baby begins to teeth you are going to hear a lot of crying and screaming for a few months. But there are things you can do to help make the process easier on your little one.
Teething rings and other chewable toys are designed to help apply counter pressure that can sooth your baby’s mouth. Some rings are designed to be put in the freezer to provide a cooling effect as your child bites down. This can help greatly reduce pain for your child.
Excess drooling can cause issues for your child. Damp clothing can lead to rashes and skin abrasions that just add to the discomfort your baby is already feeling. During the teething process it is recommend that your child wears a bib to keep their clothing dry. Additionally, changing clothing more often can help prevent rashes.
Pediatricians and family dentists specialize in helping parents take care of their children. Your pediatrician or family dentist is a great resource for advice on how to help soothe your baby during the teething process as well as knowledge on what is normal. Sometimes, just understanding that what your child is going through is a normal process is helpful for a young parent.
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