You can’t understand what happened to your happy baby? You were enjoying restful nights, and now your little one is up and crying throughout the night. Did you know that your baby may be teething? The arrival of new baby teeth can wreak havoc on your child’s system and cause them to be cranky and irritable. There are some things you can do to ease their discomfort during teething and your Glastonbury dentist shares some helpful tips.
Use Items That are Chilled
A cold washcloth or teething ring can help ease the discomfort of teething. However, contact with extreme cold can be painful, so be sure not to freeze the teething ring.
Stop the Drool
Drool is a common part of teething, and for some babies, it’s a lot of drool that can dry or irritate their skin. A soft washcloth is helpful to wipe your baby’s chin and putting a soothing moisturizer on your baby’s skin can help prevent irritation.
Give Them a Gum Massage
Massaging your babies’ gums with a finger or a moistened gauze pad can be very soothing and comforting during teething.
Try Some Over-the-Counter Medication
Acetaminophen (Tylenol), or ibuprofen (Motrin), may help to relieve your baby’s discomfort if nothing else seems to be working. Eliminating pain can also help them get some sleep.
Hard Cold Foods
Think chilled cucumber or carrot because the cold helps ease discomfort while chewing aids the teething process. Just don’t let small pieces of the food become a choking hazard.
When Baby Teeth Arrive
You should begin brushing with a soft brush designed for infants as soon as your child’s teeth arrive. It’s also a good idea to contact your dentist to schedule your child’s first dental visit.
These early visits will help them become comfortable with visiting the dentist so they are acclimated for future visits. It also allows the dentist to make you aware of any concerns early by monitoring their oral health.
If you have questions about teething or your child’s first dental visit, please give your dentist in Glastonbury a call today to learn more.
About the Author
Dr. Brad Heim and Dr. John Carroll have over 50 years of combined experience between them! This team provides comprehensive dental care while striving to exceed patient expectations at every visit. We welcome patients of all ages and look forward to serving your family.
If you would like to contact our dentists, they can be reached online through our website or by calling 860-633-2031.
