IT DOES END
Dr Strachan says that teething usually ends at around 2 ½ years. By the end of this period, your tot will have 20 nonpermanent teeth, also known as milk teeth. Typical symptoms you can expect during teething are:
■ IRRITABILITY The closer a tooth gets to your baby’s sensitive gum line, the more pain and sensitivity he will experience, making him niggly.
■ DROOLING The emergence of teeth causes increased salivation, so your baby may drool more than usual.
■ GUM SWELLING AND SENSITIVITY Because a tooth is pushing its way up through his gums, there may be some discomfort. Your baby may rub his cheeks or ears to show you he’s uncomfortable.
■ REFUSING FOOD This pain can have an effect on your baby’s appetite.
■ PROBLEMS SLEEPING This is caused by the discomfort he’s experiencing.
Many parents talk of their babies experiencing certain symptoms when teething, such as a fever or diarrhoea. Dr Strachan says, “My belief is that children between 6 months and 2 ½ years of age get sick more often than at any other stage in their lives. This is also the time they teeth, and this is the connection between teething and any other symptoms. Teething does not cause high fevers and diarrhoea, but coincidentally illness and infections may be experienced at the same time as teething.”
CHEW IT AWAY
Because your baby’s gums will be sensitive and a bit itchy during this time, let him chew on a teething ring or clean facecloth that’s been put in the freezer for a few minutes. This will soothe irritated gums. Dr Strachan says that teething powders and gels are best to use at the time when you can see a tooth starting to push through the gums.
START DENTAL CARE EARLY
Don’t wait until he’s older to look after that toothy grin. Brush your baby’s teeth from as early as possible. Start off with soft gauze and water, and move on to a toothbrush and toothpaste as he gets older. If you use a toothpaste that contains fluoride, do not let your child swallow it. Dr Strachan also recommends that your child see a dentist as soon as all his teeth have appeared. Your child’s non-permanent teeth are very important – they serve as place-holders for his permanent teeth – so you need to look after them. Don’t let your child walk around with a bottle in his mouth or let him sleep with a bottle. The sugars in the milk or juice in the bottle turn acidic and eat at the enamel on his teeth, causing tooth decay. ●