It is exciting to see your baby’s first tooth appear from the gumline. But it can be difficult watching them be uncomfortable once they start cutting teeth. The more you know about your baby’s teething, the better able you will be to help them be as comfortable as possible as they develop their one-of-a-kind smile. Each child is different when it comes to teething, but they also share many common experiences. Here are 10 common questions parents have about a baby’s teething times.
What age do babies start teething?
The average age for babies to start teething is six months. However, a baby’s first tooth may not appear until they are 12 months or older. On the other hand, some babies have their first tooth around three months. Premature babies usually take a lot longer to start getting teeth.
How long does teething usually last?
Most of the time, a single tooth will only cause your baby discomfort for a few days. For some babies, it takes a little longer for the tooth to emerge. By the time your baby is two or three, they should have completed the teething process.
What are the symptoms common to teething?
The first sign most parents notice with their baby is that the child becomes a bit irritable. There are a lot of other symptoms for parents to look out for like:
- Red or swollen gums
- Excessive drooling
- Red cheeks or chin
- Increased chewing, sucking, or biting
- Rejection of food
- Interrupted sleep patterns
- Ear pulling or face rubbing
- Runny nose
If your baby shows signs of some of these symptoms at the same time, they are likely cutting new teeth.
What order do babies get their teeth?
For most babies, the teeth erupt in pairs. They typically follow with the age of the child. For most babies, the two lower middle teeth erupt at about six months. The upper middle teeth are usually next a couple of months later. Then the surrounding teeth erupt two months later.
Most of the time, the back teeth start to erupt between 12 and 14 months of age. Since these are the largest teeth in the mouth, they can be the most uncomfortable when they begin to erupt. The canine teeth usually erupt at about 18 months with the second pair of molars coming in at about two years of age.
Of course, these are just general guidelines. Each child can have a different experience. Some children will have teeth earlier or later than other children. This is perfectly normal.
Do babies eat less when teething?
Some babies may not eat as much when they are teething. They may find eating to be uncomfortable since they have swollen, sore gums. Others may like to feel the pressure on their gums and may eat more when they are teething. If your child doesn’t eat for a few days, it’s best to visit the pediatrician or talk to a dental professional at Roberson Dental.
Is it always painful?
For most babies, the teething process is painful. They may seem to suffer more during teething because they are unaccustomed to dealing with pain and discomfort. But some babies show no signs of discomfort or pain while teething. The first indication is seeing the first tooth erupt through the gum.
Do babies have worse symptoms at night?
Some babies seem more bothered by teething at night. This may be because there are fewer distractions for them. Some children wake up through the night while they are teething perhaps because of the discomfort.
What can I do for my teething baby?
Check with your pediatrician or Birmingham dentist first, but for most babies, over-the-counter pain medications like children’s Tylenol or children’s ibuprofen can provide relief. Other options include giving them something to chew on like a cold washcloth or a teething toy.
Do babies poop more while they are teething?
Teething doesn’t typically change your baby’s stool. Babies often begin getting their teeth at the same time parents start introducing solid food. All of this happens at about six months of age. The consumption of solid foods may change your baby’s bowel movements, but teething does not.
When should I start brushing my baby’s new teeth?
As soon as the first tooth appears it needs to be taken care of. You can even start brushing a baby’s gums before teeth appear. The earlier you start, the sooner they will become accustomed to good oral hygiene habits. Don’t use toothpaste as they will swallow it. Discuss brushing your baby’s teeth with a dental professional at Roberson Dental in Birmingham.
Schedule Your Baby’s First Appointment
Contact us at Roberson Dental to schedule your baby’s first checkup. They should have their first dental checkup by the time they are two years of age. Dr. Roberson works with children to ensure they feel comfortable and secure visiting the dentist’s office.
