Baby
TEETHING GUIDE
By Cathy Garrard
Teething is a routine part of child development which can be uncomfortable for both your baby
and you. Here are a few pointers to help guide you through the process:
What to ExpectMost
infants sprout their first tooth at six to eight months, with the the
last of the molars appearing between 20 to 30 months. Due to the
discomfort and swelling, your infant may experience increased drooling,
sleep disturbance, and crankiness. Teething is often blamed for an
onslaught of other problems -- coughing, diarrhea, rashes, fever -- but
a recent study found those maladies are unrelated much of the time.
"Teething symptoms should only happen during the few days surrounding
the eruption of each tooth," says New York City pediatrician Paula
Ebirt, M.D. So if they don't pass that quickly, your child may be sick
with something else.
Pain ReliefTo help soothe
pain, try teething rings. Stiff plastic or silver ones may exacerbate
the pain if clamped down on too aggressively. Some soft plastic or
liquid-filled rings may be frozen for extra comfort, but avoid the kind
with small objects floating inside. Even gnawing on a wet washcloth
provides relief. You may also consider a child-specific teething gel,
acetaminophen, or ibuprofen.
Tooth CareOnce your
child's teeth break through the surface, wipe the gums off after
feeding with a warm, wet washcloth -- particularly if your child is
eating solid food. A swallow of water after a meal also helps prevent
dental disease.
Possible ProblemsIf your baby
hasn't cut a tooth on the usual timetable, don't be alarmed. Like other
milestones such as walking and talking, every child has his own pace.
It may be as late as 14 months before a tooth will poke through. A
family history of cleft palate or ectodermal dysplasia, a hair and nail
growth disorder, may prevent the growth of some or all of the primary
teeth. In rare cases, delayed eruption may be the result of rickets, a
vitamin D deficiency that has been linked to exclusive breastfeeding.
If your child hasn't begun teething by 18 months, see your pediatrician
to rule out these possibilities.
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About The Author
Cathy Garrard is a Brooklyn-based freelance writer and
reporter who specializes in health and travel articles. Her work has
been published in Parenting, American Baby, Glamour, and Self.
