Important Things To Know About Teething In Children

TEETHING IN CHILDREN:

It normally begins around 6 months of age. The lower front teeth usually come in first. Upper front teeth usually come in 1 to 2 months after the lower front teeth. However, it is normal for teething to start at any time between 3 months and 12 months of age. By the time your child is about 3 years old, he or she will have all 20 primary teeth.

PLEASE NOTE!!! TEETHING DOES NOT CAUSE fever, diarrhoea, diaper rash, ill appearance or lowered resistance to infection.

There are 2 reasons for the onset of infections between 6 and 12 months of age: The loss of transplacental antibodies(protect against infections) and the developmental milestone of chewing on everything they come across.

These factors predispose the infants to having infections around this time which also coincide with onset of bringing out new teeth which has nothing to do with teething. This is often the most common WRONG ASSUMPTION about teething by Mums.

Tips to help your baby feel better while teething:

>• Use a clean finger (or cold teething ring) to gently rub your baby’s gum for about 2 minutes at a time. Many babies find this soothing, although they may protest at first.

>• Provide safe objects for your baby to chew on, such as teething rings.

If needed, give your baby a pain reliever e.g. paracetamol that is labeled for his or her specific age.

Read and follow all instructions.

>• Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 20, because it has been linked to Reye syndrome, a rare but serious illness.

What are the teething symptoms?

>• Some babies are fussier than usual when they are teething. This may be because of soreness and swelling in the gums before a tooth comes through.

These symptoms usually begin about 3 to 5 days before the tooth shows, and they disappear as soon as the tooth breaks the skin and many babies don’t seem to be affected by teething.

>• Babies may bite on their fingers or toys to help relieve the pressure in their gums.

They may also refuse to eat and drink because their mouths hurt.

>• Many babies drool during teething, which can cause a rash on the chin, face, or chest.

Mild symptoms that get better usually are nothing to worry about.