Children’s Dentistry for Reseda: What can I do to help my teething baby?
Q: My baby is teething and is obviously in pain. What can I do to help?
A: Teething in a natural part of life for your growing baby, and typically begins when the baby is three to twelve months old. Most often, it begins between six to nine months. Common symptoms include fussiness, extra drooling, refusal to eat or drink, pulling on the ears, and swollen gums. A slight rise in body temperature is possible, but a baby should not be running a high fever during teething. Some babies don’t experience much or any pain when teething, but for many babies the process is uncomfortable. Fortunately you can help make teething less painful for your baby.
Some parents help their children during teething by using teething rings, or teethers. You can also let your baby gum a cold, wet washcloth, or try placing a cool spoon in the baby’s mouth for a while. (Note that the spoon should not be left in the mouth of an unattended baby, as it poses a choking risk.) To help your child sleep at night, you can give them Children’s Tylenol or Children’s Motrin for pain. Make sure that you’re giving your child the appropriate dose for their weight.
If you’re concerned about your child’s teeth, visit our office and we’ll be happy to discuss it with you.
Dr. Natalie Khadavi is a dentist serving Lake Balboa and the surrounding area. Visit our website or give us a call at 18187570017 for more information about how we can provide you and your family with healthy smiles that last a lifetime.
