The science of teething in babies

Motherhood is very delighting and challenging; it is best for mothers to learn all about the science of teething to avoid unnecessary tension as teething is one of the important milestones of a baby.

 Teething does not happen suddenly, but gradually transforms from a gummy grin to gleaming teeth. By the age of 3 your child will have around 20 teeth that need regular brushing and you will have to help your child till he is 6 years.   

You would be surprised to know that the teeth of a child start developing when he is in the womb; he develops tooth buds or milk teeth. Though a rare occurrence, some babies are born with a tooth or two or grow them in the first few weeks of life.

Most babies grow their first tooth when they are between 4 to 7 months. Some early developers develop their first bottom middle teeth as early as 3 months, while late bloomer cut one when they are a year or older. The last teeth are the second molars that appear in the back of the mouth at the top and bottom.Signs of teething:

Most babies feel very uncomfortable during the teething process. Some of the symptoms noticed are gum swelling and sensitivity, drooling with or without a facial rash, behavior of biting, irritability or fussiness, refusing food and sleeping problems. It is wrong to assume teething causes fever, vomiting or diarrhea; these and some of the worrisome symptoms require a call to the doctor.

Most babies get their 2 middle bottom teeth first, that is followed by the 2 middle teeth at the top, then the ones along the sides and back.

How you can help your baby in the teething process:

No parent can make the teeth appear in a baby, but can comfort him in the process.First you could offer your baby something like teething ring or a wet cloth cooled in a refrigerator. It is best to avoid storing teeters in the freezer as they turn too hard to cause damage to the baby’s gums.

Wash your hands and then massage his gums by rubbing them gently, but firmly with your finger; this could be a welcome pressure felt by your baby from the buried teeth below.  Offer cold foods like applesauce or yogurt; they offer relief.

If you still are helpless, take the prescription from your doctor for a children's acetaminophen to ease the pain and inflammation.

Avoid over the counter teething medications like gels and creams for very young children as some topical numbing medications contain benzocaine that could cause methemoglobinemia, a serious and rare condition that brings down drastically the oxygen in the blood.

What if your baby doesn’t have teeth yet?

If you baby doesn’t have any teeth by the 18th month it is time you informed your baby’s doctor or dentist; it is also best to note here that premature babies are a few months behind getting their teeth.

Consultation with your child’s dentist or doctor is also necessary when he has heavy drooling, swollen gum and unusual pain; teething need not be an excruciating ordeal for a baby.

Brushing and other ways to look after a baby’s teeth:

As soon as your baby’s teeth are out, it is best to brush his teeth twice a day with a smear of toothpaste; fluoridated toothpaste should only be used with the consultation with a doctor or dentist. When your baby is 2, you can use toothpaste the size of a pea. When it becomes difficult to reach all surfaces of the tooth, it is best to go in for flossing with colorful flossing sticks meant especially for kids.

Your baby at 18 months gets ready to start learning to brush his teeth; you can help him as he may not have the dexterity or concentration to successfully maneuver a toothbrush. The main aim of brushing is not to brush in a particular direction, but to try to get the food particles out. Give the child toothpaste that he likes the taste of.

Avoid or minimize the sweets you give your child; if he must indulge brush his teeth soon after he eats.

Never put your baby to bed with a bottle of milk or breastfeed; it will make sugars sit in the baby’s mouth all night and lead to baby tooth decay or bottle rot.

Avoid tooth decay and cavities in your baby by changing your baby from bottle to cup around his first birthday. Try to avoid a sipper cup like a bottle as it also damages teeth with prolonged exposure to sugars.

Schedule your 6 month baby to a well-baby check-up to examine his teeth and also know if he needs a fluoride supplement; these drops are necessary where the water supply in your area isn't fluoridated.

Your baby’s dentist visit should also be around 1 year, when the dentist judges if the baby has the high risk of developing cavities; this visit should be done 6 months after the first tooth erupts or the first birthday, whichever is sooner.

Ultimately your child at 6 years starts losing his milk or baby teeth and permanent teeth take its place.

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