Teething in Children: What Should a Mom Know When Her Little One is Teething?

As the first teeth come through, kids’ immunity also weakens, making them more susceptible to minor infections. It’s not unusual for teething symptoms to be confused with a cold.

Common Signs of Teething in Children

• Irritability: It’s normal for the gums to feel uncomfortable as the teeth come through. The first teeth and molars tend to be the most bothersome. 
  • To help: Hold your child and spend extra time with them.
• Increased drooling and skin rashes: Teething can cause more saliva to be produced, leading to rashes around the mouth. 
  • To help: Keep the area around the mouth clean and dry, and use a barrier cream.
• Coughing: Sometimes, increased saliva production can cause coughing. 
  • To help: If the cough persists or is accompanied by a high temperature, consult your pediatrician.
• Biting and chewing: Kids bite and chew to relieve pressure on their gums. 
  • To help: Use cold teething toys.
• Mild fever: A temperature between 98-100 degrees Fahrenheit may occur. 
  • To help: Use age-appropriate pain relievers as advised by your pediatrician.
• Cheek and ear rubbing: Pain in the gums can spread to the cheeks and ears. 
  • To help: Gently massage the gums with a clean finger.
• Diarrhea: Increased saliva can make stools a little looser than usual. 
  • To help: If diarrhea persists or is accompanied by a high temperature, consult your pediatrician.

When Should We Start Taking Care of Our Kids’ Teeth?

It’s a good idea to start dental care for children before their first teeth come in. Keeping your baby’s gums clean is important. You can do this by using a clean, damp cloth or a soft, baby toothbrush with water (no toothpaste).

Once the First Teeth Come In:

Brush them with water and a small amount of fluoride toothpaste. Use only a tiny bit of toothpaste—about the size of a rice grain.

Toothpaste Usage:

• Once your child is old enough to spit out toothpaste, usually around age three, you can use a bit more. Choose fluoride toothpaste and use only a pea-sized amount or less for young children.
• Important: Don’t let your child swallow the toothpaste or eat it from the tube. Excessive fluoride can be harmful.

Daily Dental Care:

• Once all your child’s teeth have come in, brush them at least twice a day, especially after meals.
• Introduce flossing at an early age. Start using floss when two teeth begin to touch. Check with your dentist before using floss on these small teeth.
• Encourage early dental hygiene by letting your child watch you brush and floss and encouraging them to imitate you.

Preventing Tooth Decay:

• Do not let your baby fall asleep with a bottle. Milk or juice can pool in the baby’s mouth and cause tooth decay and plaque.

The First Dental Check-Up:

• The American Dental Association (ADA) suggests that kids get checked by a pediatric dentist by age 1 or within six months of their first tooth coming in. This dental check-up is important for detecting potential problems and giving parents advice on preventive care.

Warning:

• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration advises against using necklaces and bracelets made of amber, silicone, marble, or wood. These types of teething accessories pose a choking hazard.
• Avoid using homeopathic remedies and numbing gels and creams containing benzocaine.