Teething can be a nightmare for both parents and their kids. In this transitional time period, babies can experience a lot of discomfort, which can make them agitated and mess with their sleep schedules. As family dentists in Chicago, we often have parents ask us what they should do when their children are teething, and which methods are safe from our perspective. In this guide, we will cover a few methods that can help parents and their kids through the teething period. Also, it should be noted that teething is a good sign that it is time to make a dental visit. Dentists across the country recommend early dental visits as soon as babies get their teeth. To schedule an appointment at one of our five offices, please contact our team.
The most reliable teething options involve applying gentle pressure and cool temperatures to the gums. Some parents find it helpful to manually massage their babies’ gums. If you do this, make sure to clean your finger before, to prevent introducing harmful bacteria. Bacteria can both cause general illnesses and impact oral health. In terms of cooling the gums, there are many teething toys that can be put in the refrigerator so they are cool to the touch. You should avoid using the freezer since it will be too cold. Another common solution involves wetting a washcloth so it is a little damp and letting it sit in the refrigerator so it cools down. Children can bite on the washcloth and help soothe their discomfort.
There are a variety of unsafe teething solutions you should avoid. Teething necklaces are teething objects placed on a necklace that your child can wear. This has a high risk of causing choking. Likewise, any teething that can break apart should be avoided as it can lead to a piece getting lodged in your child’s throat. Solid rubber toys are best. Numbing gels are not recommended. If you are worried about pain relief, you can talk to your pediatrician about liquid Tylenol or other over-the-counter medications designed for babies.
As soon as a child begins to get their first teeth, you should make a dental appointment. Dental visits can help both kids and their parents. While the dentist ensures everything is on track, they can also help provide recommendations on how to start brushing your child’s teeth. If you are concerned that your child’s teeth are not coming in on time or there are other issues, you should also consider talking with a dentist.
If your child has begun eating solid foods, you can consider using cold foods like applesauce, yogurt, or even creating a puree and chilling it. There are even teething tools that allow children to eat chilled mashed-up foods like bananas.
Our Chicago team at All Star Dental is always here to support your families with compassionate dental services. Contact us today to arrange a visit and keep your child on the path to a healthy smile.
