Baby has been grumpy for the past couple of days as they are teething? Here are some explanations and practical things you can do to help them get through this rough stage.

Even if some children go through this stage without much difficulty and symptoms, most will make it clear they don’t like the discomfort associated with teething.

In general, a baby’s first teeth, called milk teeth, pop out around 5-6 months. But sometimes newborns arrive with a tooth in their mouth! While quite rare, it can happen. Often the doctor or dentist will confirm this after checking.

On the other hand, there are 11 or 12 month-old-babies without a tooth in their mouth. And then, one day, they all pop out at the same time. Perhaps five or six at the same time over a short period. Since the baby is older, the symptoms will be less painful, even if several teeth come out at the same time.

How to Know When your Baby is Teething

A baby can present several symptoms when teething. Many parents think that their baby is sick and want to go see the doctor. But I want to reassure you, as your baby is going through an important development stage which is normal. No need to go to the doctor, unless they have other symptoms.

Symptoms that are often associated with teething (of course, the baby won’t have them all at the same time):

• Increased saliva. Your baby drools more than normal;
• More irritable, grumpy, bad mood, and agitated due to the discomfort and high amounts of acidity in their mouth during teething;
• They may play more with their ears, as the baby’s throat is open towards the ears. The pain felt during teething can spread to the ears and sometimes worry parents. They think they have an earache;
• They may have a fever from time to time (38.5 degrees or more on a rectal measure);
• Their cheeks may be redder. The acidity and increased temperature can help partly explain this phenomenon;
• Their bottom may be red due to increased acidity in their digestive tract;
• Some babies will have diarrhea which can increase bottom redness;
• Their gums may be swollen and painful. When rubbing a clean finger across the gums, you may feel the teeth as they pierce the gums;
• They may have small bumps on their gums which look like small cysts. This usually means the tooth will pop out soon;
• The baby will try to bite anything they can get in their mouth as it is soothing;
• Sleep and diet behaviour will change, but this is temporary. They are uncomfortable, and it disturbed everyone’s daily routine;

When to Consult

If the clinical signs become worse and persist over several days without improvement despite trying to soothe them, you should see and specialist. You know your baby best, so trust your instincts.

What can you do to help?

Parents, I understand why you want to help your teething baby as fast as possible because you feel for their pain, yet you seem powerless to help the little one you love.

Non-Pharmacologic Solutions to Soothe Teething

I wanted to give you some pratical non-pharmacologic advice for when their symptoms start.

Depending on the type and intensity of the symptoms, your actions will vary.

If your baby has severe bum redness, use a zinc-based cream to help them reduce the reaction to the acidity in their stool. This thick cream will act as a protective barrier against the burning sensation felt during bowel movements.

Few suggestions to help their gums:

• Use a clean, cold, wet facecloth to rub their gums softly. You can place a damp facecloth in the freezer for a few minutes to cool it down.
• Teething rings are fine, but WARNING! Not any teething ring. You should buy a rubber one for bitting. You can cool it down in the fridge. Avoid rings that are harder or that have liquid in them. The ring should not be too small and fully enter the baby’s mouth.
• A teething necklace or bracelet made out of silicone, with a smooth surface, which they can bite. You can usually wash them in the dishwasher.
• If the baby is older, homemade smoothies made into popsicles can help the baby both eat and soothe their teething pain due to the coldness on their gums.
• Catnip and fennel, a natural product, can reduce teething swelling.
• Camilia, a homeopathic product.

Given that every child and teething symptom is different from one baby to another, you may not be able to eliminate their discomfort totally. But if the intensity and symptoms are lower, the family can only benefit!

Pharmacologic Solutions to Soothe Teething

• Infant Tylenol can be used from time to time, especially when pain is more intense. The dosage will be based on their weight if taken recently. If not, it willbe based on their age. Always follow the manufacturer’s dosage table when using this product.
• Infant Advil can’t be used before six months and works like Tylenol, soothing pain. The anti-inflammatory effect is not effective if used over short periods infrequently. Always follow the instructions.

Homeopathic medications can be used at the same time as more traditional ones, as there are no reactions associated with them interacting. For example, you can combine Camilia and Tylenol during teething.

Products to avoid during teething:

• Very important: it is officially recommended that you avoid hazelnut necklaces because many babies have eaten the beads after removing the necklace, which can cause choking
• Products that freeze gums, such as Orajel, are dangerous as the baby can swallow it. This product numbs gum nerves, and babies can have strong reactions to it
• Teething cookies are often made with very sweet ingredients which are not appropriate for babies

I have provided you with a lot of information about teething, which I hope can help you through this often challenging stage in your baby’s life.

The MSSS 2022 update on young children’s dental health proposes the first visit to the dentist at 12 to 18 months of age in an effort to prevent tooth decay. Fluoride varnish applications could be incorporated as needed.

Talk soon,

Marie
The Baby Expert