Teething baby
Babies' teeth begin to develop even before they are born! Image Credit: Shutterstock

A pretty big milestone for any baby is the growing of teeth. Unfortunately, there may be some pain involved. While some babies may not exhibit signs of annoyance where a new tooth is concerned, others may find themselves nagged by the itch. We asked UAE-based dentist Marcela Barreto about how to catch the first signs of teething and how to help alleviate any ache.

Typically, at what age does a child grow teeth?

“Teething is a part of your baby’s development that, although timing varies, starts between four to seven months,” says Barreto.

Did you know?
Babies' teeth begin to develop before they are born, but in most cases don't come through until they're between 6 and 12 months old.
Most children have a full set of 20 milk or baby teeth by the time they're three years old. When they reach five or six, these teeth will start to fall out, making way for adult teeth.
Source: NHS, UK

What are some signs of teething?

The most common symptoms, she explains, are:

  • drooling,
  • irritability,
  • slight temperature increase,
  • sore gums, and
  • chewing on objects.
Teething checklist
Image Credit: Shutterstock

How can you reduce discomfort?

Barreto says teething can usually be handled at home, here are some evidence based treatments to reduce your baby’s discomfort:

  • Rub your baby’s gums with a wet gauze or a clean finger, the light pressure can ease the soreness.
  • Try a chilled teething ring, check the instructions that come with the ring to know for how long to chill it. Do not freeze it as this can do more damage than good. A teething ring will help decrease the inflammation, provide some comfort to your baby’s gums, distracting them and allowing them to chew safely. Never tie a teething ring around your baby’s neck.
  • Let your child nibble on cold fruits; you can use a mesh feeder for safety. Avoid sugary foods and always stay close when your baby is eating.
  • Wipe the excess drool as this can lead to a rash on a baby’s face.
  • If you tried all of this and your baby is still uncomfortable, call your doctor to prescribe over-the-counter pain relievers - as long as the correct dosage is administered it can be quite helpful.

What should you not do?

  • Avoid unfounded home remedies
  • Avoid topical gels such as the ones containing lidocaine or benzocaine
  • Avoid homeopathic teething tablets and herbal products
  • Do not use teething necklaces
When should I start brushing my baby’s teeth?
“A child should brush with a smear amount of toothpaste in the morning and at night. We should start flossing as soon as two teeth establish contact, usually between one to three years of age,” suggested Dr Enas Alkhadra, Specialist Paediatric Dentist at Dubai-based Dental Studio in an earlier interview with Gulf News.

When is it time to contact a doctor for help?

“Contact the doctor if your baby seems too uncomfortable or if there are other symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, runny nose or inconsolable crying,” says Barreto.

Have a parenting question you want answered? Write to us at parenting@gulfnews.com