Teething
The age at which your baby gets his or her first teeth (primary teeth) varies, along with whether they cause discomfort or not.
Most babies have their first tooth appear at around 6 months of age. The lower front teeth usually appear before the top. Babies eventually get 20 primary teeth - 10 top & 10 bottom - most of which will be there by 2.5 years of age.
The second or permanent teeth start appearing at around 6 years of age (just in time for school photos).
Common Signs.
- Lots of dribbling.
- Unsettled, irritable, fretful.
- Rosy, flushed cheeks.
- A tendency to chew everything.
- Gums are sore and red.
- Runny poo.
What to do.
- Offer more water, as babies lose a lot of fluid from all that dribbling. When they lose a lot of fluid, their urine can become concentrated and cause nappy rash.
- Pain relief. Offer something hard to chew on, like a cool teething ring. Avoid offering sugary rusks, as they can cause tooth decay.
- Try sitting and giving your baby a comforting cuddle.
- Go for a walk. Sometimes distraction can help.
- Consider sugar-free teething gels. Ask your pharmacist which gel is age appropriate for your baby, follow instructions, and don't overdo it!
- Consider sugar-free paracetamol. Once again, check with your pharmacist that it is age appropriate, and follow instructions.
- Think safety, as everything ends up in the mouth. Think about older children's small toys, or small objects left on the floor. Be careful where you leave your's or nanna's handbag, as there can be many things, such as medications, that pose a danger to children or cause them to choke.
- Think hygiene. With everything going into the mouth, try washing toys, teething rings, at least once a day with dishwashing liquid, rinse and allow to dry overnight.
- Be careful not to put everything down to teething. If you're concerned about your baby, please see a Doctor.