Did you know that some babies are born with their first tooth? Or that other children won’t get their first tooth until they are over a year old? Generally though, children get their first tooth when they are between four and six months old.
Naturally, most parents are excited when a baby’s first tooth peeks through—though their excitement can be short-lived, especially when their baby gets grumpy. Fortunately, if your baby is teething, there are a few things you can try.
The first thing you can do is give your child something to chew on, such as a chilled teething ring or cold waffle. Cold foods can numb your baby’s gums and make it easier for the tooth to break through. Similarly, giving your child something flavorful, such as frozen watermelon or banana can have any of the same benefits while distracting your child.
Aside from distracting your child with flavor, you could also try to distract them another way. For instance, you could try playing with your child or holding your baby. In essence, you can try anything your child enjoys. You could give your child their favorite toy or let them watch a video they enjoy.
In fact, distracting your child is another option you should consider. Try giving your baby a favorite toy or showing them a video they enjoy. Similarly, you can try holding or playing with your little one,
You could also try medication. Some topical creams are designed to numb the gums. They work quickly, but should be used cautiously. Please consider discussing the possible side effects with a doctor before using these creams. You can also try baby Tylenol or ibuprofen—though you may want to wait until your baby is a year old or consult with a doctor before giving your child ibuprofen.
Finally, if your child has a fever of 101° F or more or has diarrhea, please contact your doctor. If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Anderson Lane Dental at 512.459.4347.We will be happy to help you. Our entire team—including Dr. Pevow and Dr. Robbins—is excited to hear from you soon!