Easing baby's teething pain

Teething, the emergence of the first teeth through a baby's gums, can be a frustrating time for little ones and their parents. But knowing what to expect during teething and how to make the process a little less painful can help you manage.

On average, a baby's first tooth appears in the seventh month, but it can show up as early as 3 months or as late as 1 year of age. After the first breakthrough, another new tooth will appear about every six weeks. Usually, the two bottom front teeth are the first to emerge from the gums, followed by the two top front teeth. By the time that she's 2 years old, your little one will probably have all of her baby teeth.

Baby's annoyances with the growth of her teeth begin two or three months before their arrival. She may chew on her toys or fingers, act irritable, and develop redness and puffiness where the tooth is coming in. Keep in mind that your baby's desire to put everything in her mouth-paired with her improving mobility at this age-means that it's more important than ever to keep potentially hazardous items, such as electrical cords and house plants, out of her reach.

The best way to relieve teething pain is to give your baby something cold and firm to chew on - the hard surface provides relief through counter pressure; the coldness numbs the gums. Try offering refrigerated (but never frozen) water-filled teethers or a cold, wet washcloth.

The first teeth to appear usually are the two bottom front teeth, also known as the central incisors. They're usually followed 4 to 8 weeks later by the four front upper teeth (central and lateral incisors). About a month later, the lower lateral incisors (the two teeth flanking the bottom front teeth) will appear. Next to break through are the first molars (the back teeth used for grinding food), then finally the eyeteeth (the pointy teeth in the upper jaw). Most children have all 20 of their primary teeth by their third birthday.

In some rare cases, children are born with one or two teeth or have a tooth emerge within the first few weeks of life. Unless the teeth interfere with feeding this is usually not a cause for concern.

As children begin teething, they might drool more and want to chew on things. For some babies, teething is painless. Others may have brief periods of irritability, while some may be crying and have disrupted sleeping and eating patterns.

Although tender and swollen gums could cause your baby's temperature to be a little higher than normal, teething doesn't usually cause high fever. If your baby does develop a fever during the teething phase, it's probably due to something else and you should contact your doctor.

Here are some tips to keep in mind when your baby is teething:

• Wipe your baby's face often with a cloth to remove the drool and prevent rashes from developing.
• Give your baby something to chew on. Make sure it's big enough so that it can't be swallowed and that it can't break into small pieces.
• Rubber teething rings are also good, but avoid ones with liquid inside because they may break or leak.
• Rub your baby's gums with a clean finger.
• Never tie a teething ring around a baby's neck — it could get caught on something and strangle the baby.

The care and cleaning of your baby's teeth is important for long-term dental health. Even though the first set of teeth will fall out, tooth decay can leave gaps before the permanent teeth are ready to come in. The remaining primary teeth may then crowd together to attempt to fill in the gaps, which may cause the permanent teeth to come in crooked and out of place.

Daily dental care should begin even before your baby's first tooth emerges. Wipe your baby's gums daily with a clean, damp washcloth or gauze, or brush them gently with a soft, infant-sized toothbrush and water. As soon as the first tooth appears, brush it with water.

Toothpaste is fine to use once a child is old enough to spit it out — usually around age 3. Choose one with fluoride and use only a pea-sized amount or less in younger kids. Don't let your child swallow the toothpaste or eat it out of the tube because an overdose of fluoride can be harmful to children.

By the time all your baby's teeth are in, try to brush them at least twice a day and especially after meals. It's also important to get children used to flossing early on. A good time to start flossing is when two teeth start to touch. Talk to your dentist for advice on flossing those tiny teeth. You can also get toddlers interested in the routine by letting them watch and imitate you as you brush and floss.

Another important tip for preventing tooth decay: don't let your baby fall asleep with a bottle. The milk or juice can pool in a baby's mouth and cause tooth decay and plaque.

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