Babies are born without their little teeth. And yet, given the pain and discomfort of teething, the opposite would be quite practical. Instead, from around 6 months onwards, you'll need to learn to recognize the symptoms that signal the arrival of your child's first milk teeth. Redness, fever and swollen gums... let's go through the list together.
CONTENTS :
- The 6 symptoms that herald a teething problem
- When do children start teething?
- Relieving baby's teething troubles: our tips and tricks
The 6 symptoms that herald a teething problem
Teething occurs every time a new tooth appears in your child's mouth and has to break through the gums. The most common symptoms of a teething revolution are as follows.
- Excessive salivation: when baby drools so much that he wets his clothes and makes bubbles, a tooth is close at hand!
- Red cheeks: "Oh, he/she has red cheeks" is a phrase that speaks for itself in every mother's mouth. When teething, both cheeks can be reddened, or just one, on the side where the tooth will come out.
- Swollen gums: swollen, red and tender with a white spot soon to appear, this is how you can spot gums that are ready to be pierced.
- The urge to chew: very often, teething babies chew, chew their fingers and put objects in their mouths to relieve the pain. Teething rings work wonders at this time. The pacifier, too, can soothe inflamed gums before, quite often, baby's brand-new teeth do the rest.
- Irritability: because of varying degrees of pain and other teething symptoms, a teething baby is often cranky, grumpy and restless.
- Disturbed sleep: because of the pain of teething, baby may have trouble falling asleep and wake up more often than usual at night.
- Crying: more or less frequent and intense, baby's crying is a sign to be combined with the others to detect the arrival of a new tooth.
Other common signs that baby is teething
Depending on the baby and the teeth - molars, for example, sometimes come out less easily - other symptoms may appear, though less frequently.
- Less appetite.
- Looser stools accompanied by diaper rash.
- Moderate fever, below 38°C.
- A little cold-like flu.
- A baby who rubs his ears or face to ease the pain, like a migraine sufferer who massages his temples.
🩷 Teething is often an ordeal for toddlers, who are sometimes just recovering from infant colic. Fortunately, some babies teethe very easily, with a smile and without too much suffering.
When do children start teething?
The "dental calendar" can be very different from one child to the next. While the first milk teeth generally appear at 6 months of age, your child may not have had his or her first teeth until 9 or 10 months, or very early, as early as 4 months. There is no rule. The order in which they come out is always the same:
- the 8 lateral and central incisors grow first between 6 and 16 months,
- the 4 premolars come next, between 13 and 24 months,
- the 4 canines follow closely, between 16 and 23 months,
- finally, the 4 molars come out between 23 and 33 months.
Teething occurs between around 6 months and 3 years of age, for a complete dentition of 20 milk teeth, whose enamel is thinner than that of the permanent teeth and therefore particularly susceptible to decay.
👉 Also read: Tooth gap: adopt the physiological teat as a preventive measure
Which teeth are the most painful to pull out?
Again, it all depends on the baby and the moment, but molars are often the most painful teeth, particularly because they are large and because there are four of them to be drilled more or less at the same time.
How long does teething last?
You and your baby will need to be patient. For each of the 20 teeth to come out, allow around 8 days of teething and a breakthrough (relief!) on day 5.
Brushing baby teeth? When to start and how?
Teeth mean brushing, and even for babies, oral hygiene doesn't wait.
By the way, have you ever heard of baby bottle syndrome? It occurs when a child systematically or almost systematically falls asleep with a sugary bottle filled, for example, with chocolate milk or fruit juice. A bad habit that drastically increases the risk of tooth decay.
Twice a day, brush your child's teeth yourself, first with a soft silicone brush you can slip onto your finger, then, from around a year of age, with a small toothbrush with extra soft bristles and toothpaste suitable for babies.
From the age of two, let your child brush his teeth "on his own", but always under your supervision, until the age of 6 or 7. When his milk teeth start to fall out and his permanent teeth come in, it's time for him to become independent.
🍼 Upstream, from birth, you can take care of baby's gums by rinsing them with a clean, damp cloth after every bottle.
Relieving baby's teething troubles: our tips and tricks
Teething is not a disease. It's an integral part of your child's growth, and therefore requires no treatment. That said, don't hesitate to cuddle your little one more than usual, be patient and accompany him or her through each new tooth, some of which will be more painful than others.
- Massage the gums, applying light pressure with your finger. Soothing gels are also available.
- Give him silicone teething rings. Designed for chewing, some models can also be placed in the refrigerator for an even more pleasant sensation. Toys, fingers, toothbrushes and Elhée bottle caps can also be chewed without restraint.
- Cold or soft foods are also welcome to ease the pain.
- Your paediatrician can also prescribe the right dosage of Doliprane for your baby's age and weight, or the classic teething remedies, Dolodent gel and homeopathic solutions such as Camilia pods.
🥰 In addition, apply a dab of moisturizing cream or liniment several times a day to baby's dry cheeks, which, between redness and drooling, can quickly become damaged.
When should you see your doctor?
Always be attentive to changes in your child's behavior. During teething season, but not only, visit your paediatrician if your child shows signs of gum infection (intense redness, swelling or pus), fever over 38°C, persistent or severe diarrhoea, refusal to eat or drink, or ongoing mood or sleep disturbances.
THREE POINTS TO REMEMBER
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Teething is a natural and harmless stage in a baby's growth.
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Simple solutions exist to relieve it and support your baby during this period: massage, teething rings, cold foods, homeopathy or painkillers prescribed by your doctor.
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If you have any doubts or worrying symptoms (high fever, diarrhea, changes in your child's general condition, etc.), consult your doctor immediately for personalized medical advice.
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