Did you know that teething is one of the first rituals of life? Newborns usually do not have visible teeth, most baby teeth begin to appear generally about six months after birth. During the first few years of your child’s life, all 20 baby teeth will push through the gums. Most children will have their full set of these teeth in place by age 3!
The teething process
The front four teeth usually erupt or push through the gums at about six months of age, although some children don’t have their first tooth until 12 or 14 months. As their teeth erupt, some babies may become fussy, sleepless and irritable, lose their appetite or drool more than usual.
Diarrhea, rashes and a fever are not normal symptoms for a teething baby. If your infant has a fever or diarrhea while teething or continues to be cranky and uncomfortable, call your doctor.
Some simple and effective home remedies that may help soothe your baby’s teething pain:
Give your child something to chew on such as:
- Teething ring
- Refrigerate a dampened wash towel
- Chilled foods such as apple puree or yoghurt if your child has started on solids
- Teething rusks might also be suitable if your child has started on finger foods
Massage your child’s gums with a clean finger or a moistened gauze pad
Caring for your baby’s teeth?
- Clean your baby’s gums well before the teeth start to appear by wiping them with a clean, thin, damp washer.
- As soon as your baby’s teeth start to appear, clean them twice a day in the morning and at night with either a clean, thin, damp washer or soft toothbrush with a small head.
- The best time to start using toothpaste is when your baby is around 18 months of age, and then only use a very small smear of a toddler-safe toothpaste variety.