When a child is teething, this is a difficult period for both himself and his parents, so you need to know in advance what to do, how to help him with teething, and how to relieve pain with medicines and folk methods. At such a time, kids experience discomfort, they need love and support from adults.
Sometimes the pain is not so pronounced. In this case, it is enough to massage the gums and a special teether with a cooling gel. With severe pain, the use of medications may be required. Each treatment regimen is selected for small patients on an individual basis. Units appear alternately in certain places. Therefore, parents can understand which area is bothering them, and take measures to eliminate inflammation, swelling, and soreness.
Teething in children
The process is accompanied by characteristic unpleasant symptoms, which, as a rule, are eliminated after a few days. The task of adults during this period will be to provide comfortable conditions for the baby. Thanks to this, the baby will be able to survive this period with minimal discomfort.
Symptoms
You can understand that the first incisors began to appear in the baby by changing his behavior. The baby becomes capricious, and often cries, regardless of the time of day, he is frightened by what is happening.
Before treating severe pain in a child when his teeth are being cut, it is necessary to determine that the reason lies precisely in this, the following symptoms are characteristic of children during teething:
- Swelling of the mucous membrane in the mouth and gums;
- Excessive salivation;
- Temperature increase;
- A constant desire to pull foreign objects into the mouth to relieve pain and itching;
- Sleep disturbance;
- Tearfulness, excessive irritability, lethargy;
- Refusal of the breast and bottle due to pain;
- Stool problems (diarrhea, constipation);
- Redness of the throat due to increased blood flow;
- Frequent and profuse regurgitation, vomiting;
- Nasal congestion, cough;
- Allergic rashes (in isolated cases);
Pain in the eyes, because of which the baby often rubs them, blinks, and tearing can be observed (with the appearance of fangs).
Please note that these symptoms do not always appear. Some people calmly endure this stage, nothing bothers them. Therefore, it is possible to understand that dental units have begun to hatch only after examining the oral cavity. On the gums, you can notice white dots – the tops of the crowns, most of which are still under the gum tissue.
Teeth in a child: the order of teething
They appear in the following sequence: incisors, premolars, canines, and molars. However, each organism is individual. Sometimes the order may deviate somewhat from the norm.
Also, in some babies, the first incisors appear at a very early age – up to 6 months. For others, it happens a few weeks later. It is considered normal when by the age of 3 there are 20 fully shown crowns.
Dental units may already be abnormal at the first appearance (curvature, misalignment, darkening, etc.). For example, the brown color of the enamel indicates that the mother took antibiotics during the period of gestation. A yellowish-green tint indicates that the baby has problems with bilirubin metabolism, as well as more serious pathologies – liver diseases, and red blood cell death.
Eruption terms
Pecking of the central upper and lower incisors is usually completed by the age of one year, and the process itself begins at about 6 months. Side ones appear a little later. Fangs erupt by 2 years. The development of premolars and molars can stretch over a longer period.
Do not be afraid if central incisors appear on one jaw, and only lateral incisors on the second. This is normal. But it should be borne in mind that significant deviations from the established deadlines may indicate various pathologies. Therefore, it does not hurt to consult a doctor. Specialists of the dental clinic “Dentika” will carry out diagnostic measures, if necessary, refer you to specialized doctors. If it turns out that everything is in order, they will simply advise the parents on care procedures.
How to help a child with teething without medication
Often, discomfort can be eliminated without pharmaceutical preparations. Good massage of the gums, which consists of light pressure, helps. It can be done with your fingers, the main thing is to wash your hands thoroughly before the procedure so as not to infect the infection. It is also possible to use a soft brush. It must first be washed and even better sterilized. Avoid strong pressure, otherwise, the message will not bring any benefit.
You can buy teethers in pharmacies and stores for children. They are made of silicone or other soft materials so that their surface does not appear chipped. The most effective are models with a non-uniform ribbed surface. There are options in the form of rings that are filled with a special liquid that has a cooling effect. They are pre-cooled in the refrigerator, after which they are given to the baby.
Chilled foods work the same way. For example, you can give cool cottage cheese, juice, banana, mashed potatoes, or an apple.
What medicines and when to use
It also happens that the methods listed above do not give the desired result. This is due to the individuality of each organism, and varying degrees of sensitivity. In this case, it is advisable to use drugs. Please note that they must be appointed by a specialist. Medicines may have contraindications for chronic and other diseases, including a history. Their uncontrolled use leads to allergic reactions and other side effects. Let’s consider what to give a child from medicines when teeth are being cut, and how to calm him down when teething.
Calgel
Available in the form of a gel, which has an anesthetic and anti-inflammatory effect. The active substance is lidocaine, which has a “freezing” effect. Sold in pharmacies by prescription only. The action after the application is preserved for a long time. It is extremely important to strictly follow the instructions for use, does not exceed the indicated dosage.
Kamistad
The action is similar to the previous drug, but unlike it, the constituent components include harmless substances – polidocanol, an infusion of chamomile flowers. This tool stops inflammation, soothes pain, and eliminates swelling, itching, and redness. It tastes sweet, so there will be no problems with use. It is used not only for teething but also for various dental diseases.
Holisal
Available in the form of a gel. Contains choline salicylate and auxiliary components. It is issued not only to children but also to adults. Helps with various dental problems, and inflammatory processes in the oral cavity. Quickly relieves disturbing symptoms, and effectively eliminates pain. Among the shortcomings, one can single out that which has a higher cost in comparison with analogs.
Dentinox
The active substances in the composition are lidocaine and chamomile extract. The drug has a disinfecting effect and removes pain and swelling of the gums. Acts quickly, thanks to which the baby calms down almost instantly. It is intended for external application, therefore it has almost no side reactions or contraindications.
Folk remedies
If for some reason the use of medications is not possible, parents can resort to non-traditional recipes. The most effective of them:
- Compresses with chamomile. In a decoction of a medicinal plant, you need to moisten a piece of bandage or a cotton pad. Apply them to the painful area. You can also give 1-2 teaspoons of decoction for oral administration. This stops the inflammatory process and swelling.
- Honey. They can lubricate inflamed areas. It is necessary to rub it, otherwise, the baby will swallow it, and there will be no result. Please note that it is recommended to give honey only to those children who are not prone to allergic reactions, as the product is a strong allergen.
- Soda solution. Dissolve 1 tsp in 250 ml of clean boiled water. of this ingredient. Dip a piece of gauze into the solution and lubricate the gums. This recipe helps not only to relieve pain but also to disinfect the oral cavity.
- Chilled pacifier. It will have a “freezing” effect, due to which it will be possible to eliminate soreness and itching for a while.
Before using any folk remedies, a doctor’s consultation is required. Self-medication can not only not give a result, but also lead to undesirable side reactions in the form of allergic manifestations. Make an appointment at the dental clinic “Dentika”, experts will help you choose safe products for your baby.
How to calm a child
The baby in this difficult period not only feels strong discomfort but is also afraid of what is happening. To make him calmer, it is recommended to apply it to the chest more often. This will allow the baby to calm down, as he will feel maternal care, love, and protection.
You can also get Caries between the teeth how to remove and treat
When teeth appear, regurgitation is often observed. This is quite normal, associated with an increased amount of saliva. The main thing is not to confuse it with vomiting, which is extremely dangerous, especially in childhood, because it leads to dehydration.
Care
Even if the baby has only one incisor so far, the rules of personal hygiene must be observed in any case. At first, wipe the crowns and gums with a cotton pad or a piece of bandage dipped in clean boiled water. Up to 1 year, it is enough to do it 1 time per day.
After reaching the age of one year, you can start using soft silicone brushes. They are worn on the finger of an adult. At 1.5-2 years old, the baby is already able to clean himself. Use soft baby brushes suitable for a specific age category. It is very important to teach the crumbs to thoroughly rinse the mouth. At 2 years old, kids learn this with ease.
You can not neglect the preventive visits to the dental office. The first appointment is recommended at the age of 12-14 months.
When to see a doctor
Some parents, when a child is teething, begin to look for ways to help teething, than to anesthetize, while not at all paying attention to the fact that the natural process has turned into a pathological one. If the symptoms do not go away within a few days, then it is necessary to seek professional medical help.
In children at the age of 6 months, the immunity acquired during fetal development disappears. Our own is still only at the development stage, so babies are more susceptible to various infections. Experienced discomfort, lack of sleep, and stress during the appearance of the dentition aggravate the situation, making the baby even more vulnerable.
The following signs will indicate pathological processes in the body:
- A significant increase in temperature over 38.5 degrees, while antipyretic drugs have no effect or it is insignificant;
- Cough with mucus;
- Prolonged gastrointestinal upset;
- Blood inclusions in feces;
- Ulcers in the mouth;
- Prolonged runny nose, purulent discharge from the nose;
- Constipation for more than 3 days;
- Enamel color change (dark or yellowish spots);
- The dentition is curved, and the units in it have an incorrect arrangement.
Also, a specialist should be contacted if the child is 1 year old, and crowns have not appeared. Most likely, this is due to a deficiency of minerals, thyroid diseases, or metabolic disorders.
Prolonged diarrhea
Usually, it lasts no more than 2 days. If problems with the stool stretch for 3 or more days, this is considered a cause for concern and a visit to the doctor. If timely action is not taken, this can lead to dehydration and exhaustion. An even more dangerous condition is one in which bloody and mucous impurities are observed in the feces.
Heat
If it has risen to 38.5 or more, it cannot be brought down, you need to call a doctor. In young children, normal thermoregulation has not yet formed. Therefore, too high a temperature poses a serious threat. It is better if a qualified specialist will monitor the condition of the baby.
The temperature should be brought down only if it rises to more than 38.5 degrees. If it is lower, antipyretics are given only when there are lesions of the central nervous system, the risk of seizures, the baby feels very unwell, and changes dramatically in behavior.
Lingering cough
When the first teeth appear, a slight cough and expectoration of sputum are conditions that should not cause concern. However, it also happens that the cough syndrome is very strong, does not go away for a long time, does not allow normal breathing, and makes the baby wake up even at night. Such symptoms, as well as shortness of breath and wheezing, should seriously concern the parents of the baby and force them to seek professional medical help. This indicates that against the background of a weakened immune system, bacterial or viral infection has joined, therefore, additional treatment is required to prevent complications.
Summing up
The appearance of the first incisors, canines, premolars, and molars is an important stage in the life of babies, through which everyone goes. At this point, it is the responsibility of the parents to show maximum care and support so that everything goes with the least discomfort for the baby.
We told what to do if a child cries when his teeth are being cut, and what medication and non-drug methods can be used to eliminate pain during teething in children. If nothing helps, acute symptoms persist for a long time, other alarming signs appear, you should seek qualified medical help without any hesitation.