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It’s a beautiful day in Austin and you have plans of taking the family on an outing to the LBJ Presidential Library. There’s one problem, though. Your toddler has been crying all morning because of aching gums, and is probably teething. In order to keep your plans, you need answers on how to soothe the pain. Thankfully, your Oak Hill children’s dentist has some quick remedies.

WHAT IS TEETHING?

Unpleasant as it may be, teething is just one of those facts of childhood development. It is the process of the baby’s teeth breaking through the gums, and generally occurs between the ages of 6 to 24 months of age.

SIGNS THAT YOUR BABY IS TEETHING

There are certain clues to be on the lookout for, signaling that your baby is teething. You may notice swollen and sore gums, or redness in the cheeks and face. Other signs are heavy drooling, a refusal to feed properly, and crankiness. Finally, you may notice gum rubbing, sucking and biting, all contributing to sleepless nights.

Teething usually can last for the few days before the tooth erupts through the gum line. Different babies have different thresholds for pain, which will affect how much they fuss.

REMEDIES FOR SORE GUMS

• Cold Application – Rubbing a cold spoon or finger on swollen gums can help soothe the pain.
• Teething Ring – A teething ring offers quick relief for your baby’s sore gums. It should be kept cold in your refrigerator, as the lower temperature aides its soothing qualities. But, be careful to avoid prolonged contact with cold objects on the gums.
• The Pacifier – For babies under 6 months of age, give them a pacifier. The chewing will give them some relief.
• Hard Food – For babies older than 6 months of age, you can give them somewhat hard food to chew. Some of your options are unsweetened rusk, breadsticks, or extra hardened bread.
• Medication – A final possible remedy is to give your baby either Motrin or Tylenol to temporarily relieve the pain. Motrin can only be given to children 6 months of age or older. Also, it’s important to not try to overmedicate with either.

DON’T CONFUSE THESE SYMPTOMS WITH TEETHING

Teething is not associated with fever, diarrhea, runny nose and cough. Neither does it cause prolonged fussiness nor rashes over the body.

No parent enjoys seeing a child in pain, but remember that it’s not the end of the world. With more knowledge and a plan of action, you and your baby will get through this.

About the Author

Originally from Claremont, CA, Dr. Jack Fan received his undergraduate degree from the University of California at San Diego, and his Doctorate from New York University College of Dentistry. He is a member of the American Dental Association, the Texas Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the Capital Area Dental Society. He can be found helping people achieve their desired smile at The Dental Centre of Austin. For more information visit his website.