Just before the pretty teeth show
Baby’s teeth are important and though they may cause anxiety while showing up, teeth help in allowing proper growth of the jaw and in eating. Therefore proper care needs to be taken.
Rebecca Njoki discusses teething in babies.
The emergence of the first teeth in babies may be a frustrating time for the child and their parents.
Pain in teething is caused by pressure exerted on a tissue in the gum. The tissue, known as periodontal membrane, contains blood vessels and sensory nerve endings for pain and touch. Therefore, the baby may drool, get irritable and will be seen putting just about anything they lay their hands on into the mouth-to try sooth the irritating gums.
The first tooth, usually the bottom front one, cuts through the gum when the baby is between four to seven months old. After the two bottom central incisors are out, the top incisors come gradually until at about two or three years, the child has the full set of twenty primary teeth. Usually the pain is intense when the first two bottom teeth are surfacing, and at the last stage when the molars are growing.
Parents can tell teething is about to start if the baby is fussy and in pain, has a slightly swollen and tender gum, is sleepless and prefers taking cold food and drinks. Here are ways in which a mother can help the baby teeth comfortably and hygienically:
Ensure that the baby has something to chew on. It should be big enough to avoid swallowing and strong enough to avoid breakage while in the baby’s mouth. A wet clean cloth placed in the freezer or a chilled rubber teething ring would be appropriate for rubbing an irritable gum. Wash the cloth or the rubber after every use before chilling again.
Clean your hands and use your fingers to counter the pressure on the gum and give relief to the throbbing infant’s gum.
Also massage the cheeks, the area around the ears and the chin. You can also use the back of a teaspoon. Sometimes. a baby may drool while teething and the saliva may cause rashes on the chin and the neck. To avoid this, wipe your baby’s face often with a cloth. Do not use any pain relieving drugs before consulting a paediatrician. They may have an adverse effect on the baby if overdosed or under dosed.
Even before the teeth appear, a mother is advised to clean the baby’s gum at least twice a day with plain water. After the teeth start coming out, clean them daily with a soft infant toothbrush with water until the baby is three. At that age he is old enough to spit out toothpaste. Avoid extremely cold or warm beverages as they may cause discomfort to the already swollen gums.
Report to a paediatrician for remedy if the baby:
o Has an unusual high fever.
o Is pulling at his ears, as it may be a sign of ear infection.
o Has loose stool or is vomiting. This may be infection that got into the system.
END: BL20/62