Your little one’s first teeth mark the beginning of a very exciting milestone in childhood development. Still, even the tiniest of new teeth come with challenges, as it can be a painful and uncomfortable experience. Let’s break down everything you need to know about navigating teething and some tips and tricks to help make your little one more comfortable and pain-free along their journey.
WHAT IS TEETHING?
Teething, by definition, is when an infant’s teeth begin to cut through the gums. On average, teething usually begins at six months of age, and by three years of age, all of a child’s teeth will be fully erupted. Common symptoms of teething include painful and inflamed gums, sensitivity of the gums, crying, drooling, ulcerations in the mouth, and lack of sleep. Some additional symptoms that may occur are general irritability, a runny nose, rubbing the ear on the side of the erupting tooth and increased biting. These are all direct results of the distress a little one can experience when their new teeth come in. Tooth eruption generally happens over an eight-day window and includes four days before the tooth appears, the day it erupts, and then three subsequent days.
As a parent, it can be hard to see your child in pain. It’s important to remember that teething is a normal part of childhood development that comes with discomfort for your little one, but it will pass, and there are ways to help them along the way. Remember to lean on your healthcare team to keep you informed and worry-free. If your child is experiencing a fever, rash, and bowel changes while teething, it’s recommended to consult a pediatric dentist and your healthcare practitioner to assess for any signs of infection. It is also critical to discuss teething treatments with a trusted healthcare practitioner prior to trying anything on your own at home.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
Finding safe and effective remedies for teething can be tricky. Many remedies that are marketed towards teething pain, such as teething necklaces or pharmacological products like systemic medications and topical gels, come with risks. For example, teething necklaces can be a strangulation or choking hazard and topical teething gels and certain oral medications can lead to complications and other systemic side effects. Luckily, there are non-pharmacological approaches to teething relief documented in research.
Teething Tips and Tricks
While this article should not be a replacement for medical advice, here are some safe and effective natural teething remedies that you can try at home to make your little one more comfortable:
Cold
Cold therapy is one of the most documented non-pharmacologic teething remedies. Ice or cold applications in general reduce inflammation, encourage vasoconstriction (narrowing of the blood vessels, which reduces swelling), and add a cooling sensation that can distract from pain.4 This treatment can be utilised in many ways. Firstly, you can dip a sterile/clean washcloth or small towel in distilled water and place it in the freezer (you can boil the cloth before freezing it for optimal sterilisation), then wrap that around your index finger and place it over the tooth eruption areas for one to two minutes. You can also use a piece of ice wrapped in a sterile towel instead; however, this needs to be closely monitored, as when the ice melts, this can become a choking hazard. Eco-friendly teething rings are also an excellent option. Both cold and frozen teething rings can be relieving for your infant to chew on, as long as they are sterile to reduce the risk of infection through open gums.
Gingival massage
Applying a light massage for one to two minutes over the gingival area can be very helpful for your infant. This needs to be done with clean fingers, gloves, or a soft finger toothbrush to avoid infection. Evidence shows that pressure on the gums can alleviate pain.
Chilled veggies and fruits
This remedy should only be used for infants who have started to eat solid food. Frozen fruits and vegetables are a win-win; your little one can cool their gums to alleviate pain while getting in some calories and antioxidants! Having your child bite down on frozen foods like strawberries, bananas, apples, or cucumbers can allow your little one to feel pressure on their gums—like the teething ring—which can be relieving, while also getting a cooling sensation. You can also consider chopping up or mashing up fruits and vegetables and adding them to mesh bags. You can freeze these mesh bags and let your baby chew on them. It is critical to ensure the mesh bag is sterilised before filling it and having your child bite on it to reduce the risk of infection.
Cuddling
In one study, cuddling reduced pain more than a local ice application did, which is fascinating and shows the power of bonding with your child. Consider giving extra attention and care to your little one and engaging in physical touch, such as hugging and cuddling, in a warm and familiar environment. Other methods of distraction are also beneficial, such as humming, singing, playing, reading a book, and listening to soft music.
Homeopathy
Some homeopathic preparations have evidence for improving parameters like excess salivation, decreased appetite, and gum discomfort. Some specific remedies that have been studied are calcarea phosphoricum, ferrum phosphoricum, belladonna and chamomilla. It is important to note that more comprehensive research is needed in this area to establish efficacy, but homeopathic remedies have an extremely safe profile for infancy and children, which makes them a suitable non-pharmacological intervention for teething discomfort.
Overall, teething can be difficult and uncomfortable for your infant, but it’s a stage of infancy that signals growth and transition. It’s important to make note of any symptoms that seem out of the ordinary and always consult your healthcare practitioner and pediatric dentist (if you have one) for a thorough assessment and treatment guidance. While the period of teething may seem long, these non-pharmacological methods discussed are sure to help your little one gain relief along their journey.
