A pediatric dentist will be among the first to tell you that teething is not a convenient period for children, as their developing gums get tender and swollen as the teeth erupt through the gums. With the recent warning from the FDA regarding the use of lidocaine for teething children, a child’s dentist offers a few tips for managing this crucial stage of your child’s life.
Rub their sore gums gently using a soft cloth or clean finger to reduce the teething pain. Your child will feel significant relief from soreness and more comfortable when you rub the gums. The process also reduces the number of bacteria and inflammation.
Ideally, you should only buy teeth rings that are manufactured from solid rubber, not liquid-filled rings because they can break or leak. Try different varieties of teething rings until your baby picks their favorite.
Parents often give their babies cold washcloths or teething rings that have been kept in the freezer. It is better to use them cold and not frozen, as the baby’s gums are highly sensitive and frozen materials may cause more harm than good. A pediatrist dentist would suggest that a cold pacifier, spoon or teeth ring can help relieve pain.
If your child has started eating solid foods, you can consider giving them sizable bites of cold vegetables to gnaw on. It is crucial that you monitor your baby and note that they are prone to choking because they may be able to tear off small pieces. The best option to use mesh feeders that allows babies to taste foods without the risk of choking.
Teething is often accompanied by excess drooling that can cause irritation to the baby’s neck and chin when it dries off on their skin. Keep a soft cloth close to gently clean away the saliva and keep the child’s skin clean. You can also minimize skin irritation by using water-based moisturizer.
If you cannot seem to calm your child with the different methods, you could consult the child’s doctor about over-the-counter painkillers. This could be acetaminophen or ibuprofen, depending on the child’s age, but ask the pediatrician concerning the correct dosage. Avoid using aspirin, and try not to crush or rub it on your child’s gums. It can put children below age 19 at the risk of Reye’s syndrome, which can be fatal.
According to dental experts, you should take your child to the dental office upon teeth eruption or on reaching age one, depending on which comes first. If you have a teething child, the dentist will be able to answer your questions.
Teething is a natural phenomenon and should not come with symptoms of illness beyond the irregular mild or low temperature (below 38.3 degrees Celsius or 101 degrees Fahrenheit). The child may be somewhat irritable when teething, but any high fever would be due to an unrelated infection, not teething. Contact your pediatric dentist or doctor if you notice any abnormal changes in your child’s condition.
Request an appointment here: https://www.grandparkwaypediatricdental.com or call Grand Parkway Pediatric Dental at (832) 579-0960 for an appointment in our Richmond office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Pediatric Dentist.
Visiting a pediatric dentistry office with your child ensures his or her future relationship with oral hygiene and dentists, in general. Whenever your child suffers from oral injuries, consider making an appointment with your pediatric dentist to uncover any underlying problems. For instance, injuries to the tongue and teeth could indicate a deeper jaw or…
Fluoridated water is part of pediatric dentistry. It is a convenient and easy way to strengthen and protect teeth at an early age. Many areas have fluoridated water, which is a definite advantage. If you want to know why a dentist will likely recommend fluoridated water, here are the details.Studies show that almost all sources…
Nutrition is an important part of pediatric dentistry. Having balanced amounts of vitamins and minerals can strengthen and protect the teeth. Proper nutrients also fuel dental function. If you want to know how important nutrition is for your child’s oral health, here are the details from a pediatric dentistry professional.Children are still developing. They need…
Dental crowns are important in pediatric dentistry. Each primary tooth is a living guide for the development of permanent teeth. But baby teeth can also suffer from decay. So restoring these teeth is important for the general health of your child. If you want to know if pediatric dentistry uses dental crowns, here are the…
Anyone familiar with oral hygiene basics knows that pediatric dentists recommend brushing twice per day — once in the morning and once at night. However, you may not know why. Why is once not enough? After all, experts recommend flossing only once a day. How is brushing your teeth different? This article will explore why…
Everyone learns oral hygiene basics when young, but some details get lost over time. When the time comes, many parents need clarification about what type of toothbrush is best for children. This simple tool comes in many different forms, including a variety of sizes and bristle textures. You may wonder why there are so many…