By: Dr. Peter Markov, Owner and Pediatric Dentist at VK Pediatric Dentistry in Arlington, VA
Babies can begin teething as early as 2 months even though their first tooth might not erupt until 6 months of age. Some children may experience issues with teething and some may not have any issues at all! If your child becomes restless, has an increased amount of drool, and/or becomes fussy around this time and there is no other explanation, it is likely your child is most likely teething. Here are some tips to help ease the process.
Keep the mouth clean and massage those gums!
Even before the teeth are showing, do your best to keep your child’s mouth clean. You can do this by wiping their gums with a wet cloth or gauze to remove excess debris. Silicone toothbrushes can massage the gums (though we recommend to transition to a bristled toothbrush as soon as the first tooth pokes through).
Brush those teeth!
Start brushing teeth as soon as they erupt in the mouth. Not only will this help alleviate some of the teething symptoms, it will protect and clean the teeth. Plaque and food build up creates inflammation around the teeth which can make the gums extra sensitive and a child extra fussy. Make sure you are following our toothpaste advice.
Cool or frozen washcloth
To ease your child’s discomfort, try placing a damp washcloth in the refrigerator or freezer. If you place it in the freezer let it thaw for a few minutes before placing it onto your child’s gums. The cold can help with teething discomfort.
Teething ring
Unfortunately, teething is a natural process and it may simply take time to go away. The natural response to teething is trying to bite things so sometimes teething rings can help. Stay clear of the liquid filled teething rings because they can sometimes break and make sure the teething ring is BPA free. VK Pediatric Dentistry recommends placing your child’s favorite teething ring in the fridge for the best results!
VK Pediatric Dentistry
5001 Langston Blvd, Arlington VA 22207
Schedule An Appointment Today in Arlington, Virginia at VK Pediatric Dentistry
If you haven't taken your child to a pediatric dentist yet or would like to schedule an appointment, Dr. Peter and the highly skilled team at VK Pediatric Dentistry are just a phone call away. Schedule an appointment online or call us today at 703-962-7814. We look forward to providing your children a lifetime of healthy and happy smiles!!
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