You may or may not be aware that your baby is teething; something known as the process by which an infant’s teeth sequentially appear by breaking through the gums. Teething starts at around 6 months and lasts until the child reaches about 3 years old of age. Some babies may experience it even earlier. But if your child still doesn’t have any teeth by 15 to 18 months, it’s advisable to schedule a visit with a pediatric dentist.
Teeth generally appear one at a time over a period of months. The first to come is usually the bottom two middle teeth, then the top two middle ones, then the ones along the sides and back. dont’t worry if they dont’t all come in straight, as they usually straighten out over time. Your toddler’s first molars, the wider teeth in the back of the mouth, will probably start to appear by the time he turns 1.
The last teeth to appear (the second molars, found in the very back of the mouth on the top and bottom) are usually all in place by a child’s second birthday. By age 3, you can expect your child to have a full set of 20 baby teeth, which shouldn’t fall out until his permanent teeth are ready to start coming in, that is when she is 6 years old.
Common symptoms include drooling, mood changes crankiness and swollen gums. You may find your baby chewing her toys or fingers, or refuse to eat or drink all of sudden. Some babies even pulling their ears because of the pain, or having a slight rise of temperature. These symptoms usually fade on their own, but if they are persistent or worsen, please consult your doctor as soon as possible.
To help ease the discomfort, you can offer your baby something cold to chew on, like rubber teething or cold washcloth. Foods like applesauce, yogurt , or teething rusks can also do the trick. If none of those work, you can consider small dose of children’s pain reliever or rub the gum with topical pain relief gel. Bear in mind that not all babies are the same, thus it is recommended to see a pediatrician beforestarting any treatment.
Ayrin Tanamas
