Teething

Teething is a normal process of new teeth pushing through the gums and this process takes time. The age at which the first tooth appears differs greatly from child to child. Usually, the first tooth - which tends to be in the middle of the lower jaw - appears at around six months of age. The complete set of 20 primary teeth (baby teeth) is usually present by the age of two-and-a-half years. Starting at about 4-5 months onwards, you may notice the symptoms of teething. By approximately 7-8 months of age, the child is teething tirelessly.

Symptoms of teething :

·         Crying more than usual & Pulling on ears.

·         Dribbling increases.

·         Chewing on fingers and rubbing the mouth.

·         Swollen and red gums.

·         High body temperature or earache and nappy rash.

·         Difficulties to suck on breast or bottle.

·         Sleeping Problems.

The new teeth grow upwards towards the surface of the gums and break through the skin causing pain and discomfort.

Treatment at Home : There are certain things which can be done to relieve the discomfort due to teething.

·         Gently massage the swollen gums with one of your clean fingers.

·         Give your baby something cold to gnaw or a chilled teething ring.

·         A wet washcloth frozen for 30 minutes is also helpful to relieve pain.

·         Do not use whiskey, lotion, or ointment to reduce the teething pain.

·         They may contain an agent that can numb the throat and cause the baby to choke.

·         Avoid hard, salty and acid foods.