Pediatric Dental Tips to Relieve Your Baby’s Teething Pain

Pediatric dental tips can come in handy when you have a baby who is teething. It can be an uncomfortable time for your little one. The tiny gums of an infant experience swelling and tenderness as the emerging primary teeth begin to break through the surface.

Pediatric dental tips for teething babies

Nobody wants an infant to experience too much pain, even as the baby’s teeth start coming in. With the recent FDA warning against lidocaine, it is important to seek out other pediatric dental tips for helping manage a baby’s tender, swollen gums.

Massage the gums

Parents can gently rub the infant’s tender gums with a clean finger or a soft cloth. This can help reduce some of the pain related to teething. The slight pressure on the gums can relieve the discomfort and soreness and is an easy and quick way to make the child more comfortable.

Picking out a teething ring

Dentists will recommend that parents find a teething ring that the baby likes. It can take some experimentation to find one that is the right size, shape and color. A baby may prefer one type over another, so parents are encouraged to try different options. Solid rubber teething rings are preferred as liquid teething rings can sometimes break.

Keep it cold, not frozen

Some parents like to give babies a cold washcloth or a cold teething ring. It is a good idea to stick to an option that is cold, but not frozen. The gums of a baby are extremely sensitive, and frozen objects can damage them. If a parent has put a freezing ring in the freezer, dentists will recommend letting it thaw a bit first.

Use cold foods

As the baby reaches an age where solid foods are introduced, it can be beneficial for the parents to offer chunks of cold vegetables to chew on. Parents should always watch the baby to make sure there is no chance of big pieces breaking off. A mesh feeder will allow the infant to taste the food without the potential of choking.

Keep a clean cloth in reach

When a baby is teething, it can result in a lot of drooling. The excess saliva can irritate the infant’s chin and neck if left there to dry. Parents should keep a soft cloth within reach to dab away the saliva.

Remember that teething is not an illness

Teething is a normal part of a baby’s growth and milestones. Teething may induce a low fever as well as causing irritability and fussiness. Parents should watch for high fevers as these can indicate that the child is sick. It is important to check with pediatricians if the baby has a high temperature that lasts for too long.

Set regular dental visits at a young age

Once your child’s first tooth has popped through, it is important to start seeing a dentist. If the child is over a year old, the first appointment should be made. The dentist can recommend other pediatric dental tips to make sure the teething process goes as smoothly as possible. If you have any questions, do not be afraid to reach out and ask for advice.

Request an appointment here: https://www.hvkidsmiles.com or call Hudson Valley Pediatric Dentistry at (845) 363-4177 for an appointment in our Middletown office.

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