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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
Dental sealants are plastic coatings that are painted over the chewing surfaces of teeth further back in the mouth (molars and premolars). They reduce the risk of cavities. However, protecting the sealants and further reducing your child’s risk of tooth decay also requires limiting the consumption of or avoiding certain foods.The most common foods that…
Tooth decay is one of those dental issues that most people will deal with at some point in their lives. Fortunately, dental sealants are a preventative treatment that can help protect teeth from decay. If you are a parent considering protecting your child’s teeth with sealants, you may be wondering about the process. This article…
If your child has recently gotten dental sealants, it is wise to get a toothbrush that cleans the teeth and does not irritate or damage the sealant. The kind of toothbrush that will remove plaque, reach all regions of your child’s mouth and be best for their oral health depends on their particular dental requirements.…
Dental sealants are a preventive treatment that can greatly benefit young children who have just had their permanent molars come through. Sealants can also benefit children with baby teeth, particularly those vulnerable to decay. The following article discusses the numerous benefits of dental sealants for children.Dental sealants for children reduce the risk of dental decay…
Dental sealants are plastic coatings that are painted over the chewing surfaces of teeth further back in the mouth (molars and premolars). They reduce the risk of cavities. However, protecting the sealants and further reducing your child’s risk of tooth decay also requires limiting the consumption of or avoiding certain foods.The most common foods that…
Tooth decay is one of those dental issues that most people will deal with at some point in their lives. Fortunately, dental sealants are a preventative treatment that can help protect teeth from decay. If you are a parent considering protecting your child’s teeth with sealants, you may be wondering about the process. This article…