After hours of juggling a wailing baby, you’re probably desperate to address teething pain. If your child is irritable, drooling, and chewing on hard objects, they are likely a teething baby. Although discomfort, while your baby is teething is inevitable, learning a few basic approaches can ease painful gums and soothe your frazzled nerves. Call 281.501.7849 to speak with someone from our caring and compassionate team about how to soothe a teething baby and how to become a new patient at Wambaugh Dental.
What to Know About Teething Babies
When your baby is teething, their gums may be swollen and tender. As the new tooth pushes through the gum tissue, it can take weeks for the entire process to complete. Teething babies may also experience the following:
- Decreased appetite
- Occasional fever
- Disrupted sleep patterns
Depending on which teeth erupt, these symptoms could last a few days to several weeks. Teething typically lasts longer than most parents expect.
How to Comfort Your Teething Baby
The following strategies may help keep your teething baby more comfortable:
- Offer your finger – Chewing on your nice, plump finger may ease your little one’s pain. Make sure you clean your finger before placing it in your baby’s mouth.
- Use a teething ring – A firm rubber teething ring allows your child to gnaw and alleviate pain. If your baby likes sucking on a bottle, replace the milk or formula with water during teething. This reduces sugar intake and decreases the risk of tooth decay.
- Cool it down – Stick a clean, moist washcloth in the freezer (place it on a tray for cleanliness) and offer that to your baby. The cooler temperature of the chilled cloth eases the pain of teeth erupting through the gums. Soaking the washcloth in non-caffeinated tea, such as chamomile, may reduce inflammation associated with teething.
- Grab some hard foods – Certain foods allow your child to gnaw and can ease teething pain. For example, frozen bananas, large chunks of chilled carrots, an apple, or frozen bagels make good teething pain relievers. If you’re offering your child solid food, observe to ensure that your infant doesn’t bite off a piece and choke.
- Try a natural remedy – Years of grandmotherly wisdom suggest home remedies might help with teething. Try rubbing clove oil, peeled ginger root, or vanilla extract onto your child’s gums. Although there isn’t scientific evidence to prove these remedies are effective, they may help your little one through the painful teething process. Remember to test the method on your gums first to ensure your child’s tingling or numbing is bearable.
- Use medications – Over-the-counter medications may be appropriate if your baby seems especially uncomfortable. Giving an age-appropriate dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen may reduce discomfort. Ensure you check with your child’s pediatrician or our office first to ensure the medication is safe.
If nothing seems to be helping your child’s teething pain, you can always schedule an appointment with Wambaugh Dental. Our caring and compassionate team understands the unique health needs of your little one and is more than happy to help ensure they grow up with a beautiful smile.
Learn How to Soothe a Teething Baby in Texas at Wambaugh Dental
Wambaugh Dental understands how difficult it is to see your little one in pain. Our caring and compassionate team is here to help your child’s teething process go as smoothly as possible. For more information about teething, or to schedule a pediatric dental appointment, contact Wambaugh Dental today at 281.501.7849. Our team can help you understand how to soothe a teething baby, and we look forward to providing your little one with the best dental care in Texas. Let us help your family find relief from uncomfortable teething pain.
