Categories: Pregnancy & Parenting

Teething in children: A stage of major concern

The development of teeth in children starts as early as 5 weeks of fetal life itself. That means when your child is still in your womb its teeth start developing.

In spite of the early start of development process the teeth appear in the mouth at approximately 6 months of age. These normal ages of eruption may vary from child ti child and a slight delay is not an issue of major concern. The first teeth that appear are the lower incisors(front teeth). By the age of 3 years usually all the 20 deciduous or the milk teeth must have developed.

The eruption schedule of primary teeth in children is a s follows:
CENTRAL INCISORS( front teeth)- at 6 months
LATERAL INCISORS( side front teeth)- at 7 months.
CANINE(side pointed teeth)- at 12 months.
FIRST MOLARS- at 18 months
SECOND MOLARS- at 2-3 years.

WHAT IS TEETHING:
When the primary teeth erupt by breaking through the gums, a number of symptoms occur which are known as Teething.The symptoms are:

1). Slight swelling of the gum overlying the erupting tooth.
2). Drooling or dribbling if excess saliva.
3). Redness or flushing of cheek in the adjacent teeth.
4). Rash or inflammation around the area may be present.
5). Constant urge of the child to keep on chewing soft and robbery objects.
6). Child trying to chew his or others hands or fingers.
7). Irritable nature of the child.
8). Child tends to cling to you and refuses to play alone.
9). Child having difficulty in sleeping.

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Often parents associate other symptoms with teething as well,when actually they are due to some infection or illness.Serious symptoms like high fever, inability to sleep at night must be referred to the pediatrician immediately.

One must always remember that Teething and its symptoms are never serious. If the child gets mild fever or diarrhea it is due to his current habit if putting everything in his mouth. This increases the probability of germs entering the child’s body and causing infections. If the symptoms stay prolonged immediate efforts must be taken.

Appropriate care must be taken to keep the surroundings of the child clean. Any susceptible disease causing object should always be kept away. The child will always have a very strong urge to put everything in his mouth so it is better to monitor that all that surrounds him is clean and infection free.

TIPS TO HELP YOUR CHILD WITH TEETHING:

1). Use a finger or cold spoon to gently rub the swollen gums. This will help to ease the pain.
2). Use chilled teething rings but make sure they are not frozen.
3). Cold Carrot or Celery stick can also be used but only under strict supervision so as to prevent any choking or ingestion of small pieces.
4). Teething gels can be used but only after being prescribed by dentist.
5). Chamomile oil can be rubbed directly on the baby’s teeth. It helps to soothe the associated inflammation and discomfort.
6). Clove oil can also be used. Never use it in full strength. Dilute a drop of clove oil with a drop of olive oil and then rub it in the gums.
7). If the need arises some of the prescribed medicated drugs can also be used.




  • DR KOKIL AGARWAL

    View Comments

    • I gave my babies apples when they were teething. I tried to make them use teethers as well, but they didn't seem to help and my girls didn't seem to like them much.

      • Apples will not help dear.. They are not the chewy kind of hard thing that that cause pressure on the gums.. Try carrot instead.

    • Apple will break into pieces, only carrot works.:)
      Thanks for sharing this useful information, Dr. Kokil, I shared the blog around to all of my friends whom have little babies, my youngest is 5.

      He has all 20 teeth in his mouth, but 2 are decays, so have to go to see dentist for filling soon, but he is so scared about the tools in his mouth.
      Hope he will be brave enough next month and we can schedule for appointment for him soon.

    • I hardly remember how it was with our daughter when she was teething. All I can remember now is that she had a fever and was crying and fidgety. So, we consulted the doctor for it.

      I also remembered my hubby buying a teether that she would chew on, whenever she seemed fidgety with her teeth.

    • Hmmm Teething in Children is a major disturbing stage in every kids life, though i do not have any kid yet, i have help in nauturing my kid brothers and sisters when they were kids. At this stage the discomfort for them is so much that if you don't have the heart you will always be yelling at them for no reason. The pain and the discomfort alone is too much and they will cry unending. I wish a drug could be design to kill such pain in a teething kid when they get to this stage of their life.

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