Teething
DEFINITION
Teething is the term used to describe the eruption (emergence)
of the baby teeth. When baby teeth erupt they have to push through
the gum to come up into the mouth. Teething can cause pain,
irritability, poor sleep and drooling.
of the baby teeth. When baby teeth erupt they have to push through
the gum to come up into the mouth. Teething can cause pain,
irritability, poor sleep and drooling.
DESCRIPTION
The first baby tooth usually erupts between 6 and 9 months of
age, with the rest of the teeth following rapidly. By the age of 3
the average child will have twenty baby or “milk” teeth. Teething
can be uncomfortable, particularly when a number of teeth are
erupting at the same time. Signs that your baby may have teething
pain include fussiness, crying, poor sleep, pulling or rubbing at
the ear and dribbling.
age, with the rest of the teeth following rapidly. By the age of 3
the average child will have twenty baby or “milk” teeth. Teething
can be uncomfortable, particularly when a number of teeth are
erupting at the same time. Signs that your baby may have teething
pain include fussiness, crying, poor sleep, pulling or rubbing at
the ear and dribbling.
Babies may wish to chew on something hard during this process
(e.g., rusks or a teething ring) as it seems to provide some
comfort. Some teeth may cause more pain than others, and some
babies are not troubled by teething at all. Teething does NOT cause
high fever, diarrhoea, ear infections or other illness. If you are
in any doubt, always contact your medical practitioner.
(e.g., rusks or a teething ring) as it seems to provide some
comfort. Some teeth may cause more pain than others, and some
babies are not troubled by teething at all. Teething does NOT cause
high fever, diarrhoea, ear infections or other illness. If you are
in any doubt, always contact your medical practitioner.
Ice cubes gently rubbed over the gum where the tooth is trying to
emerge seems to provide some relief. Teething gels (which are
topical anaesthetics) may provide temporary relief, but should
never be used in excess as children tend to swallow a little of
these gels.
emerge seems to provide some relief. Teething gels (which are
topical anaesthetics) may provide temporary relief, but should
never be used in excess as children tend to swallow a little of
these gels.
As the teeth erupt, children often seem to make more saliva, and so
tend to dribble. There is no harm in this as the saliva provides
some decay protection for the teeth, although children will need to
drink more to cope with the fluid loss. The fluid loss may be what
makes children apparently more irritable and tired around this
time. Some children may also develop a rash on their chin from
constant dribbling. Regular application of zinc cream may help
clear this up.
tend to dribble. There is no harm in this as the saliva provides
some decay protection for the teeth, although children will need to
drink more to cope with the fluid loss. The fluid loss may be what
makes children apparently more irritable and tired around this
time. Some children may also develop a rash on their chin from
constant dribbling. Regular application of zinc cream may help
clear this up.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
As with all dental conditions your Dentist should be
consulted. Your Dentist will diagnose and treat your child’s
particular problem. Ask your Dentist about how to brush and care
for your child’s teeth.
consulted. Your Dentist will diagnose and treat your child’s
particular problem. Ask your Dentist about how to brush and care
for your child’s teeth.
DIET HINTS
See the Pregnancy Diet on the Healthpoint. Fully seven months
BEFORE baby is born, the first teeth begin to form in the gums. It
follows that as baby is entirely dependent on the mother for
nourishment, she should eat the kind of food which helps form sound
teeth. From the earliest stage of development, baby needs calcium
and phosphorus to form good teeth, as well as to form good bones.
It is very important that the mother’s meals should contain plenty
of calcium and phosphorus. If they do not contain these essential
elements, a vitamin supplement should be considered.
BEFORE baby is born, the first teeth begin to form in the gums. It
follows that as baby is entirely dependent on the mother for
nourishment, she should eat the kind of food which helps form sound
teeth. From the earliest stage of development, baby needs calcium
and phosphorus to form good teeth, as well as to form good bones.
It is very important that the mother’s meals should contain plenty
of calcium and phosphorus. If they do not contain these essential
elements, a vitamin supplement should be considered.
SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES
In early childhood, as the first few teeth are erupting
children often begin to acquire the usual childhood infections. One
infection which may be significant is due to the herpes simplex
virus. This virus is the cause of cold sores and is very common.
Most children get exposed to this virus (from kissing, sharing
spoons etc.) around the time of teething. In some children there is
a strong reaction which results in pain, excess saliva and swelling
and redness in the gums. This condition is called primary herpetic
gingivostomatitis. Because this problem is due to a virus, there is
very little that can be done as treatment (antibiotics don’t work
against viruses) other than to wait till the body heals itself
(usually about 7-10 days). During this period children will often
not wish to eat, due to pain. It is very important to ensure your
child drinks enough fluids, as children can very quickly dehydrate.
You should see your medical practitioner if you think your child is
suffering this condition.
children often begin to acquire the usual childhood infections. One
infection which may be significant is due to the herpes simplex
virus. This virus is the cause of cold sores and is very common.
Most children get exposed to this virus (from kissing, sharing
spoons etc.) around the time of teething. In some children there is
a strong reaction which results in pain, excess saliva and swelling
and redness in the gums. This condition is called primary herpetic
gingivostomatitis. Because this problem is due to a virus, there is
very little that can be done as treatment (antibiotics don’t work
against viruses) other than to wait till the body heals itself
(usually about 7-10 days). During this period children will often
not wish to eat, due to pain. It is very important to ensure your
child drinks enough fluids, as children can very quickly dehydrate.
You should see your medical practitioner if you think your child is
suffering this condition.
PHARMACIST’S ADVICE
Ask your Pharmacist for advice
- Your Pharmacy stocks a range of suitable teething rings for
your children. Ask your Pharmacist for a type that has been
recommended for you by your Dentist. - Your Pharmacy stocks a range of teething gels suitable for
children. Ask your Pharmacist for a type that has been recommended
for you by your Dentist and never exceed the recommended
dose. - If pain relief is required for your child, ask your Pharmacist
to recommend the most suitable type, usually paracetamol. There are
certain pain relievers that should not be taken by children. It is
very important not to exceed the recommended dose for CHILDREN.
Never give an adult dose to a child. It is important for your
Dentist to know what kind of pain relieving medication your child
is taking.