Babies are born without their little teeth. Yet, considering the pain and discomfort caused by teething, it would be much more convenient if it were the other way around. Instead, starting around 6 months old, you will need to learn to recognize the symptoms that indicate your child's first baby teeth are coming. Redness, fever, and swollen gums... let’s list them together.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
- The 6 sure signs of teething
- When do children get their first teeth?
- Soothing baby's teething: our tips and tricks
The 6 sure signs of teething
A teething episode occurs every time a new tooth appears in your child's mouth and needs to break through the gum. This oral milestone often comes with the following most common symptoms.
- Excessive drooling: when baby drools so much that their clothes are wet and bubbles form, a tooth is not far away!
- Red cheeks: "Oh, he/she has red cheeks" is a phrase every mom knows. During teething, both cheeks can turn red, or sometimes just one side—where the tooth is about to emerge.
- Swollen gums: swollen, red, and sensitive with a soon-to-appear white spot—this is how you can spot a gum that is about to break through.
- Desire to bite or chew: very often, teething babies chew or gnaw on their fingers and put objects in their mouth to relieve pain. Teething rings work wonders during these periods. Pacifiers can also soothe inflamed gums, although they often become casualties of those brand-new teeth.
- Irritability: because teething can be painful, and because of other symptoms as well, a teething baby is often cranky, fussy, and restless.
- Disturbed sleep: due to teething pain, baby may have trouble falling asleep and may wake more frequently at night than usual.
- Crying: crying may happen more or less often and intensely; a baby's tears are a sign to be combined with others when looking for a new tooth's arrival.
Other common signs that baby is teething
Depending on the baby and the tooth—the molars, for example, sometimes come in less easily—other, less frequent symptoms may appear.
- Decreased appetite.
- Looser stools that may be accompanied by diaper rash.
- A mild fever, below 100.4°F (38°C).
- A slight cold-like state similar to a runny nose.
- A baby who rubs their ears or face to ease discomfort, much like how we rub our temples during a headache.
🩷 Teething episodes are often tough for little ones who, sometimes, have just gotten over infant colic. Fortunately, some babies get their teeth very easily—with a smile and not much pain.
When do children get their first teeth?
The “dental schedule” can vary greatly from one child to another. Although the first baby teeth typically erupt around six months old, your child may have gotten theirs at 9 or 10 months, or conversely, very early—at just 4 months. There's no fixed rule. However, the order of appearance is always the same:
- The 8 central and lateral incisors come in first, between 6 and 16 months,
- The 4 first molars (premolars) follow, between 13 and 24 months,
- The 4 canines show up next, between 16 and 23 months,
- Finally, the 4 second molars emerge between 23 and 33 months.
Teething continues from about 6 months up to age 3, for a full set of 20 baby teeth with thinner enamel than permanent teeth, making them particularly sensitive to cavities.
👉 Also read: Béance dentaire: adopting a physiological pacifier as prevention
Which teeth are the most painful to come in?
Again, it all depends on the baby and timing, but often, molars are the most painful teeth, mainly because they're larger and four break through more or less at the same time.
How long does a teething episode last?
You and your baby will need some patience. For each of the 20 baby teeth, plan for about eight days of teething and a breakthrough (relief!) on the fifth day.
Brushing baby teeth: when should you start and how?
Where there are teeth, brushing is needed—even for babies, oral hygiene can’t wait.
Have you ever heard of bottle syndrome? It appears when a child regularly—or almost always—falls asleep with a bottle filled with something sugary like chocolate milk or juice. This bad habit greatly increases the risk of cavities.
Twice a day, brush your child's teeth yourself—first using a gentle silicone brush that fits over your finger, then, around age 1, with a small extra-soft bristled toothbrush and a toothpaste specially formulated for babies.
From age two, let your child brush their teeth “all by themselves like a big kid,” but always supervise—until age 6 or 7. When their baby teeth start falling out to make way for permanent teeth, they can brush on their own.
🍼 Beforehand, from birth, you can take care of baby's gums by rinsing them with a clean damp cloth after each bottle.
Soothing baby's teething: our tips and tricks
Teething is not an illness. It's an essential part of your child's development and doesn’t require treatment. That said, don't hesitate to cuddle your little one more than usual, be patient, and support them with each new tooth—some will be more painful than others.
- Massage their gums by applying gentle pressure with your finger. There are also very effective soothing gels available.
- Offer silicone teething rings. Made for biting, some types can also be chilled in the fridge for an even better soothing effect. Their toys, their fingers, their toothbrush, or the cap of their baby bottle, can all be safely chewed as well.
- Cold or soft foods are also helpful in soothing discomfort.
- Your pediatrician can prescribe the appropriate dosage of Tylenol (paracetamol) based on your baby's age and weight, or recommend classic teething remedies like Dolodent gel and homeopathic solutions such as Camilia single-dose ampoules.
🥰 As a complement, several times a day apply a small amount of moisturizing cream or liniment to baby's dry cheeks, which—between redness and drool—can quickly become irritated.
When should you see your doctor?
Always pay close attention to changes in your child's behavior. During teething, but not only then, see your pediatrician if your child shows signs of gum infection (intense redness, swelling, or pus), fever above 100.4°F (38°C), persistent or significant diarrhea, refusal to eat or drink, or ongoing mood or sleep disturbances.
THREE KEY TAKEAWAYS
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Teething is a natural and safe stage in a baby’s growth.
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Simple solutions exist to help soothe and support your baby during this period: massage, teething rings, cold foods, homeopathy, or pain relief as prescribed by your doctor.
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If you have any doubts or notice worrisome symptoms (high fever, diarrhea, change in your child's overall health...), consult a doctor promptly for personalized medical advice.
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