Tips for your Teething Tot
Dr. Donna K. Thomas, DDS, at Pediatric Dental Specialists, has several offices in Kansas City.
Q: When does a baby’s first tooth usually come in?
A: Between 6 1/2 and 7 months is the norm, but it can vary. As early as 3 months of age up to 15 months is still considered within normal limits.
Q: How many deciduous (primary) teeth are there, and in what order do they come in?
A: Typically the two lower central incisors are the first to erupt, followed by the maxillary central and lateral incisors, then the lower lateral incisors. Next to come through are typically the first primary molars, canines and finally the second primary molars. Usually, the primary dentition is complete by age 3.
Q: After the teeth have erupted, what should parents do to clean them?
A: I recommend brushing the tooth or teeth with a small soft toothbrush. I feel this is more appropriate than just wiping with a wash cloth once the teeth erupt. No toothpaste is necessary at this age. As more teeth erupt, a non-fluoride "pre- or toddler toothpaste” is useful until the child is able to understand the concept of spitting or not swallowing, which is usually around 3 years of age.
Q: When should a child come in to see the dentist for the first time?
A: We recommend all children be seen around 12 months of age or within six months of the eruption of the first tooth.
Dr. Christine White, MD, a pediatrician at Johnson County Pediatrics in Shawnee Mission, KS, has been in private practice since 2000.
Q: How do I know my child is teething?
A: Symptoms of teething may include swollen gums, which can make the child irritable and decrease their appetite a bit. They tend to drool more and they chew on their fingers or anything else they can get in their mouths.
Q: Are there symptoms on which pediatricians and parents disagree related to teething?
A: Parents often believe that teething causes high fevers, runny nose and diarrhea. In reality, a teething child may have a 99 to 100 degree temperature. If it's over 100.5, there is something else going on. The teething child's stools may be a slight bit more runny than normal, but a significant change is likely due to some other cause. Teething does not usually cause nasal congestion or discharge.
Q: What do you suggest to parents to ease teething pain?
A: To ease teething pain, I usually recommend putting a wet washcloth in the freezer for about 30 minutes and then letting the child chew on that. Firm rubber teething toys, not liquid filled toys that could rupture and leak fluid, are also a good option.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) are good choices, especially when the child is trying to sleep and has no distractions—which makes the pain seem worse. I don't recommend Baby Orajel as a first-line therapy, because if too much is used, or it is used too often, there could be negative side effects. These could include a decreased gag reflex with an increased risk of aspiration, and possibly seizures. The homeopathic teething tablets must be used with caution. They contain a very small amount of belladonna, which at certain levels, can cause symptoms such as lethargy, seizures, difficulty breathing, agitation and difficulty urinating. These tablets should be used sparingly.
Jen Lee is an Overland Park mom with an actively teething daughter.
Q: What’s a parent’s biggest teething frustration?
A: The symptoms are not always easy to figure out. Is it a “bug” or a tooth coming in? It also seems like a long process – they can have symptoms and no tooth shows up. Then symptoms go away…and in comes the tooth.
Q: What symptoms does your child experience?
A: My baby gets extra tired and cranky and gets awful diarrhea.
Q: What works?
A: Medicine doesn’t work with this baby. I usually use a wet rag or something cold. I also bought (Vulli’s) Sophie the Giraffe Teether. She loves to the hold the legs and really chew on the head! I also have friends whose kids love the Infantino Vibrating Teether.
Stacey Hatton is a pediatric RN, freelance writer and mother of two non-drooling girls.