Cutting a tooth involves lots of aches and irritation for babies. The emerging teeth create pressure underneath the gums. And your cutie unknowingly bites and chews everything in their reach to counter-pressure it from outside. Although teething in babies starts at around 6 months of age, some babies may begin from 2-3 months. And the whole process may go up to 30 months of age. Teething in babies causes inflammation and soreness in the gums. If home remedies don’t keep the teething symptoms in check, paying a visit to an El Centro dentist is recommended.
What is teething?
Teething is a normal physiological event that occurs when your infant or kid cuts their first baby tooth at the age of 6 to 9 months. Some babies may sail through this phase easily without any trouble, while some may undergo a series of symptoms like excruciating pain, sore gums, drooling, sleep disturbances, fussiness, loss of appetite, fever, and diarrhea.
When do babies start teething?
Some infants begin to have teeth early on while others may take more time – teething time differs for babies, and it’s perfectly normal. Most babies will start to get those white pearls from their gums at about 6 months of age. But the signs of teething start to knock on the door when babies begin to get 3 to 4 months old. Some babies may cut their first tooth as late as 9 to 10 months.
What are the signs of teething?
Here are some common signs of teething in babies.
- Sore, and swollen gums
- As the teeth poke through the gums, they become sore and inflamed.
- Increased inflammation can lead to swollen gums.
- You may also notice an eruption cyst which is a fluid-filled bubble appearing blue or grey in color.
- Loads of drooling
- You’ll be amazed to see the sheer amount of drooling that teething can cause.
- Low-grade fever
- Though teething has no direct link to low-grade fever in babies, the increased gum inflammation may slightly raise the baby’s body temperature. However, any temperature more than 38℃ is a cause of concern and needs medical attention.
- Change in eating and sleeping pattern
- Sore gums can alter your kid’s sleeping patterns and make them less likely to eat anything.
- The inflamed gums make them extremely fussy and cranky.
- They may even refuse to breastfeed since sucking the milk may aggravate the pain.
If your baby experiences any signs of teething as mentioned above, seek dental care. Take your child to a dentist for further evaluation and management. However, refrain from giving them any pain medication without consulting the dentist.