Kids Tooth Eruption: Before, During and After – Things to Know

Teething is a time-taking process whereby the teeth erupt through the gums. Interestingly, the first primary teeth that erupt in kids, better known as milk teeth, already get formed inside the gums before the child’s birth.

The time of teething differs from child to child. Usually, the first tooth erupts when the child is around six to nine months of age. Only by the age of three, the full set of 20 deciduous teeth erupts.

Usually, the first teeth always erupt at the lower front. However, some babies may not get any teeth even when they turn one.

In this article, we will talk about the different phases of teeth eruption and things to avoid and recommendations for you to handle the teeth eruption situation with confidence.

Include Fluoride In Your Child’s Diet

Parents should consider adding fluoride to their child’s diet after 6 months of age. Notably, fluoride is a mineral that works to stop tooth decay by hardening the teeth’ enamel.

Fluoride is usually added to the tap water. You can give your baby a few ounces of water in a straw cup or sipper after you start offering them solid foods.

You can check with your paediatrician if your tap water has fluoride or whether you should give the child fluoride supplements. For those who are not aware, most bottled water does not have fluoride.

Address The Teething Pain Of Your Child

Usually, teeth eruption does not trouble the child. Still, parents can figure out when their child is teething. Giving massage to the sore gums, giving something cold to the child when in teething pain can provide relief.

Generally, babies give discomfort signals in the area from where teeth eruption is taking place. The gums around the tooth may become tender or swollen. The baby might salivate more than usual.

You can help ease the pain of tooth eruption by massaging their gums with clean fingers. You can provide your child with a teething biscuit. But you should keep an eye on the child to check that they are not eating it as its chunks may break easily and may lead to choking. Most teething biscuits contain sugar and salt and are not nutritious.

Many times, your baby’s body temperature may rise during teeth eruption. However, most of the time, the fever may not be associated with teething and may be a sign of an infection or illness.

In case your baby is feeling uncomfortable, you must consult your paediatrician, who will give the medicine dose according to the age and weight of the child.

Avoid Using Benzocaine Gels, Teething Tablets, Homoeopathic Teething Tablets Or Gels Or Amber Teething Necklaces

You should avoid teething tablets containing plant poison belladonna and gels with benzocaine. Belladonna and benzocaine are advertised to numb the child’s pain, but then the FDA has issued warnings for potential side effects of both. Even amber teething necklaces should be avoided.

 

Necklaces around the child’s neck pose a strangulation risk. It also has a potential choking hazard. Moreover, there is also no research to establish the effectiveness of the necklace.

Brush Your Child’s Teeth Two Times A Day With Fluoride Toothpaste

After the eruption, you must brush your child’s tooth two times a day with a smear of fluoride toothpaste – equal to the size of a grain of rice. This should be done especially after the last food or drink of the child. Remember not to let your baby sleep with the feeding bottle as it can lead to tooth decay.

Once your child turns three, use a pea-sized quantity of fluoride toothpaste for brushing their teeth. Instruct your child to spit out the excess toothpaste. It would be best if you monitor your child till they turn six. You can put the toothpaste on the toothbrush and give it to them. Also instruct or educate the child about the right brushing technique and proper rinsing.

Consult Your Pediatrician Regarding Your Baby’s Teeth And Fluoride Varnish

During the regular visit, the pediatrician checks for your baby’s gums and teeth to ensure they are fine and recommend ways to keep them healthy.

You can consult your pediatrician if you can go for fluoride varnish for your child’s teeth. Fluoride varnish helps prevent tooth decay. The sooner you can go for it, the better it would be for the child’s teeth.

Schedule Your First Dental Appointment When Your Child’s First Tooth Erupts

As soon as your child has a first tooth eruption, you should schedule an appointment with a paediatric dentist or go for a specialised kids’ dentist for consultation and checkups. This will ensure that your child’s teeth are developing normally and there are no dental problems. The dentist will also give you a proper guideline to be followed for your child’s oral health and hygiene.

Avoid Most Recommended Practices For A Child’s Teething Or Pain Issues

You should avoid adding jam, honey or sugar to the feeding bottle of your child or even dipping a pacifier in a sugary food substance. These remedies have no pain-relieving effect. In fact, these can cause dental pain and decay.

Also, avoid giving your child a feeding bottle containing any sugary fluid during bedtime as teeth constantly get covered in sugar increase the risk of dental decay, infection and pain. Even the application of alcohol to the mucous membrane of the child should be avoided as it does not help in relieving the pain.

During teething, use only sugar-free medications and inert teething objects. Any teething preparations should be kept out of your child’s reach to avoid the possibility of overdose.

Any medication should not be added to the child’s feeding bottle as it will become difficult to monitor the dose. Also, there are chances that any active ingredient in the medication may react with the food.

For more information, get in touch with Perfect Smile – one of the UK’s fast-growing dental care groups with highly professional and experienced dentists.