Does your baby have red cheeks? Is he grumpy, loses his appetite and has a red bottom? He might be teething!
Among the essential stages of the development of babies, there is teething. It generally begins at 4/6 months of the child with visible splitting of the gums and lasts until 2/3 years of the child. Each child teeth at his own pace, but we often hear it said that at 2 years old, a child normally has all his teeth: 20 baby teeth, from the incisors to the molars.
If for some infants, these moments go unnoticed, for others the flare-ups are synonymous with pain. Toddlers can be cranky, salivate, nibble, and sometimes even have a fever. In some cases, teething can even be directly linked to ENT infections such as rhinitis, otitis, tonsillitis… Find out everything you need to know about teething to better relieve your child.
At what age does a baby teething?
It is estimated that the first teething happens between 4 and 7 months, each child has its own rhythm. But in reality, baby teeth start to form during pregnancy. This is one of the reasons why future mothers are recommended to eat well. It may even happen that a baby is born with one or two teeth, but this is still exceptional.
Teething takes place in stages, until the baby is 24 to 36 months old, when he then has 20 baby teeth. Some babies may come out several teeth in a few weeks and then take a break before another period of rash. For others, it may be more gradual or more regular. There really isn’t a rule when it comes to teething. Whatever happens, don’t worry if a tooth has not pierced your infant’s gums by the age of 8 or 9 months, some babies make their first tooth after 1 year of age. Do not hesitate to ask your pediatrician for advice.
In what order do baby’s teeth come out?
If we do not observe the appearance of the first teeth at the same age in all babies, however, they always arrive in almost the same order. The two lower incisors are the first teeth to point at the tip of their nose, followed closely by the upper ones. The upper and lower lateral incisors then pierce between 6 and 16 months: very practical for starting to chew food during food diversification.
We can wait for the push of the four premolars, the milk teeth that are used to crush food, between 13 and 24 months. As for the four canines, their eruption is often observed between 16 and 23 months. Finally, the four “second molars” appear between 23 and 33 months.
All these little teeth appear by the age of 3, children keep them until about 6 or 7 years. These will then fall to make room for the permanent teeth, more resistant, larger and necessarily more adapted to the jaw of the growing child.
What is a tooth bud?
Teeth are formed very quickly: from the 6th week of pregnancy, baby tooth buds appear on the baby’s jaw. And the buds of the permanent teeth – except the molars and premolars which will arrive after birth – are present from the 10th week, that is to say before the fetus has even reached three months of development!
Teeth form in the jawbones first and then move painlessly into place. They then pierce the gum tissue to exit and continue to grow until the entire tooth crown is on the outside. The root remains well fixed in the jawbone, only the tip of the tooth is visible. In babies, the total growth of a tooth can take a long time, several weeks or even months in some cases.
What are the symptoms when baby is teething?
As the teeth of toddlers take time to form, you are therefore often likely to be confronted with the characteristic signs of teething. Your child may have red cheeks, salivate more than usual, be cranky and have trouble falling asleep, actively chew on anything that comes his way, lose his appetite and even have a red bottom… In short, these are all signs that can be synonymous with teething. Parents are often surprised the first time, but then find it easier to spot the source of the problem.
To find out if the breakthrough is near, you can observe your child’s gums by gently opening their mouth. If his gums are a little swollen, even white in places, then a tooth should not be long in coming out. But this process can also be very long. Children may experience discomfort for several weeks before their teeth decide to break through the gum tissue. And we can easily tend to put small ailments on the back of teething without necessarily being the case …
In the event of a big flare-up, your baby may even have a fever. In this case, paracetamol can relieve but if the fever persists beyond 24 hours, it is imperative to consult your doctor.
How to relieve teething naturally?
Teething is a difficult time for many toddlers. So, do not hesitate to cuddle him, comfort him as soon as you spot symptoms. In addition to these little touches that will reassure him, some natural remedies are effective in relieving your baby.
Gently massage his gums with a cotton ball soaked in cold water around your finger. You can also let him chew on this little cloth. There are also baby toothbrushes that you can put on like a finger cot. Choose it with very flexible bristles so as not to attack the infant’s already painful gums.
To relieve your child, you can also give him a teething ring. There are all kinds of them: in the shape of a pacifier, in pieces of fruit and vegetables, in the shape of animals… The cold numbs the pain you can place the teething ring or its toy in the fridge, but not in the freezer.
What tips should you avoid?
When the dental pain is really too much, one may be tempted to try all possible remedies. But some are to be avoided, because they are too dangerous, such as the amber or hazelnut necklace. They are not recommended, as the baby could suffocate if the beads come off.
Hard raw fruits and vegetables, such as apples, carrots, celery, should also be avoided for two years to prevent the risk of choking with a small piece. As for “teething cookies”, they contain a lot of sugar and can eventually cause cavities.
Topical pain relieving gels can affect a baby’s ability to swallow because the baby’s mouth can no longer feel properly.
How to take care of baby’s teeth?
It may seem surprising, but specialists say that it is recommended to start brushing your teeth after the first tooth comes out. The key: a more solid teeth and a good habit to take from an early age, that of maintaining good oral hygiene.
You can use a small square of damp cotton to gently rub her teeth with a tiny amount of age-appropriate toothpaste, or simply clean with water.
You can also use a silicone toothbrush to slide over your finger. For a more expert baby, there are short brushes suitable for the size of their small hand. The cleaning will probably not be very effective, so do not hesitate to complete it with a more seasoned gesture.