Teething Side Effects

Teething Side Effects... Symptoms and Solutions

A few days before a new tooth appears, babies can become noticeably more irritable.  They may drool and have painful gums, may have changes in bowel movements, feeding patterns, waking during the night, and chewing on toys or fingers. 

Teething side effects are not always easy to pinpoint because some symptoms such as fever and prolonged crying may be caused by other difficulties your child may be having.  When in doubt, always check with your doctor or pediatrician. 

How Do I Treat it?

Teething powders or gels from pharmacies can help to numb the area where teeth are emerging through the gums. 

Paracetamol once every four hours if your baby has a fever can be helpful.  But do not give your baby asprin, since this has been linked to Reye's syndrome. 

Cool teething rings that are not too hard, cool, clean washclothes, or frozen bananas can help soothe your baby.

 

Teething Side Effects... When Will My Child's First Teeth Appear?

Children are all different, and the exact time at which your child will get their first teeth is impossible to predict.  Still, in general, many children begin to teethe around six months, sometimes earlier, and sometimes later.  Your child's timetable will be unique in their own right, but heredity has something to do with it. 

Babies are born with a full set of twenty primary teeth that are buried in the gums until they sprout.  Generally, girls teethe a bit earlier than boys.  Usually, children have about four teeth appear every our months until all twenty appear, typically beginning at 6 months through two-and-a-half years old.  Sometimes teeth will come in straight, while others will appear to come in crooked, but straighten out as they come through. 

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Teething Side Effects... Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen?

When your child is teething and uncomfortable, it is your natural reaction as a parent to want to do everything you can do ease your child's discomfort.  I know.  I've been there.  In the past I've mentioned using Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen for your child.  As always, consult with your pediatrician before administering any over-the-counter medications. 

Acetaminophen has been safely used in infants and children for many years.  There is a minimum of side-effect concerns in a healthy child.  It takes about seven times the regular dose to be harmful. 

Ibupfofen is generally considered safe to use in infants and children.  The potential side-effects are minimal.  It can sometimes cause stomach upset, but Ibuprofen has a good safety margin and takes many times the normal dose to be harmful. 

Teething Side Effects... Flossing

Once your child has crown their baby teeth, you will of course want to teach them how they can care for their teeth, and establish good habits to care for their adult teeth when they come in.  I have to admit it, I never really flossed as a kid.  I do now, but I didn't do it back then.  It would have been a good idea for me to do so. 

I have floss my daughter's teeth, if not every day, then every couple days or so.  She is far more cooperative than I though she would be, and actually likes the "minty" taste of the floss.  I buy the waxed, flavored kind.  I have her open her mouth, then work the floss down the gums on either side of each tooth, both top and bottom.  Her tops are certainly harder to do, but if you can get down on the floor and have your child tilt their head back a bit, you can get their fronts pretty well.

Teething Side Effects... Teething Gels

Teething gels can be found over-the-counter.  There are actually gels, pastes, or liquids that numb the gums.  After you pat the gums dry with a washcloth, apply a small amount of the liquid only on the area of the gums that is bulging. 

Teething gels are only one remedy to your child's discomfort, and there are some drawbacks such as bad taste, possible numbing of the tongue and lips, overuse, and your baby may swallow too much.  Still, teething gels can be a good option in your arsenal of remedies for your child's discomfort.

Teething Side Effects... Teething Rings

Teething rings can be quite useful for your teething baby.  When children are teething, they often want to chew on things, and there are some things they can chew on to help ease their pain. 

A clean washcloth placed in the freezer for 30 minutes can work well for your child.  Teething rings also work well for many children, but rubber rings are better to use than those with liquid inside them because they can break.  If you use rings with liquid inside, do not keep them in the freezer so long they become rock hard, to avoid bruising already swollen gums. 

Teething Side Effects... Adult Teeth

My daughter has cut two adult teeth so far, just behind where she lost he two bottom baby teeth.  She has not complained of any pain with her teeth, but if she is feeling bad, with fever or cold-like symptoms, I give her the recommended dosage of Children't Motrin.  As always, consult your pediatrician for advice on your child's particular needs.

I make sure my daughter brushes her teeth every day, at least twice per day.  Sometimes she wants me to help her.  Other times, she does it herself.  I also help her floss her teeth a few times per week.  She is remarkably good about letting me floss.  She likes the minty taste of the floss I use.  Flossing is something I didn't do hardly at all as a child.  I think it is a good idea to get children into the habit of doing so to keep their teeth and gums healthy.

Teething Side Effects... Brushing

My little girl does not always brush her teeth as often as she should.  We brush at least once per day, before bed, but children even at a very young age should get into the habit of brushing their teeth at least three times per day.  For now, I use non-fluoride toothpaste, along the lines of "Tom's" or those that say they do not contain fluoride. Too much fluoride if swallowed can be harmful to young children, so I use non-fluoride toothpaste, and encourage my child to spit out the toothpaste and rinse with water. 

Toothpaste is often packaged for kids with fun cartoon characters and tasty flavors, sometimes bubblegum flavor.  It will be more tempting for your children to swallow the toothpaste with these flavors, but the must be encouraged to spit and rinse every time...

Teething Side Effects... Baby Teeth

My little 5-year old has 18 teeth.  She had 20, but lost 2 over the summer.  I am proud of her bravery in getting her loose teeth pulled.  It was probably more traumatizing for me than it was for her when we pulled her two teeth this summer.  The Tooth Fairy rewarded her bravery with a couple dollars.  We first put her money in the Piggy Bank, then spent some on a little toy she wanted. 

I was moved that my daughter lost her first baby tooth on Father's Day, the day of a very nice dance recital she was a part of.  She did a fantastic job, leading the group on stage matter-of-factly, then lost her first baby tooth just before going to bed.  In life with your children, you may have several "mommy moments" as I've heard it phrased.  I have had a few "daddy moments" myself...

Teething Side Effects... What Can I Do?

There are a number of things you can do to help your child through some tough nights when they are restless due to teething pain. 

Cold or frozen washcloths to the gums or frozen teething rings may provide some relief to your child.  Gently rubbing the gums with a clean finger or washcloth, or cold spoons may help your child as well. 

Never give brandy or any other alcohol, even in small doses to your child, as alcohol is poison to infants.  Acetaminophen is okay if your child is especially irritable, sleepless, or running a slight fever.  Check with your pediatrician before administering any over-the-counter remedies.