Info about Dentists
Teething
CHILDREN'S HEALTH: UNDERSTANDING AND TREATMENT OF TEETHING
Teething is the eruption of primary (milk) teeth in babies and small children. The eruption of a new tooth through the gum can be uncomfortable; babies may cry and be difficult to settle as a result. A teething baby may also be less willing to feed and may not sleep well at night. Treatments include rubbing a teething gel on to the baby's gums, giving liquid paracetamol or homeopathic Chamomilla. Letting a baby gnaw on a chilled teething ring or other suitably hard object can also help to bring relief.
Order of Primary Teeth
A baby's primary, or "milk", teeth are already developing at the time of birth. The first teeth to come through, either the top or bottom jaw are usually the incisors, which often cause no pain. The rest of the primary teeth come through in no particular order. The canines and molars are often the most painful.
What are the symptoms? In babies and small children:
* Dribbling
* Crying
* Flushed cheeks
* Red, swollen gums where the tooth is emerging
* Reluctance to feed
Why does it occur?
A child's first tooth usually emerges at about six months of age and the remaining primary (milk) teeth by the age of three. The process of teething continues until the mid-teens, as the secondary teeth replace the primary teeth. As the root of a tooth grows, the tooth breaks through the skin of the gums, causing pain - more so from the canines and molars than from the incisors.
Primary Treatments
* Pain relief
* Homeopathic medicine Chamomilla
Self-Help
Help to relieve the pain and discomfort of teething with the following measures:
* Let your baby gnaw on a cold, hard object, such as a teething ring. Do not put the ring in the freezer. You could also try vegetables such as celery sticks or marshmallow root.
* Rub an over-the-counter teething gel containing anaesthestic on to the baby'Sargodha gums. Rubbing the gum without the gel may help, too.
* Consider giving liquid paracetamol to babies over three months (do not give aspirin to children as there is a risk of Reye's syndrome).
* Keep the baby's face dry, as dribbling can cause a face rash. Give the baby plenty of water to replace the fluids.
* Give the baby diluted chamomile tea.
* Bathe the baby in a bath with lavender.
Homeopathy
* Chamomilla is the standard homeopathic treatment for teething. It is sometimes prepared in the form of fine granules known as homeopathic teething granule (marketed as Teetha by Nelson's in the UK), which are convenient to give to babies. Chamomilla pills in the 6C strength contain exactly the same homeopathic medicine. Both the pills and granules are made of lactose (milk sugar) which tastes slightly sweet, so getting the baby to take them is not a problem.
* Chamomilla is likely to help when the baby gets very cross and can only be soothed by vigorous movement: the baby quietness when rocked, picked up or walked around, only to start crying again as soon as the movement stops.
* Give Chamomilla in the 6C strength. Crush one tablet or two pills between two teaspoons and give a small amount, dry on the tongue, 3 times a day at least 10 minutes before or after a feed.
Important point to remember
Fever, vomiting and diarrhea are not symptoms of teething, although they may occur during teething. See your doctor if your baby develops any of these symptoms as they may indicate an infection.