Is your little one teething too? (Teething) Let's talk about this!

Is your little one acting a little strange these days? Is he crying all the time? Isn't he eating? Maybe he's teething. Teething can be a difficult time for both babies and parents. But if you're aware of this, you can make the pain go away.

What is teething?

Simply put, teething is when your baby's gums start to loosen and teeth come through. This can be a really painful experience for your baby. Just imagine how much it hurts when ours get a sore on their gums. So how is it for little ones? That's why they cry, scream, and are restless all the time during this time. But this is not the same for all babies. Some babies teethe without any problems. But for most, it's a little difficult. So let's see what happens during this teething period, and how to make it a little easier.

When do babies start teething?

This is a question that many mothers ask. Usually, babies start teething between 4 and 7 months . However, some babies may start teething earlier, as early as 3 months. Some babies may start teething a little later. It varies from baby to baby.

The first to come in are usually the two front teeth on the lower jaw . We call them the 'first two lower teeth' . Then, about 4 to 8 weeks later, the four front teeth on the upper jaw (the middle teeth and the teeth on either side of them) start to come in. About a month later, the two front teeth on either side of the lower jaw also come in.

Next come the chewing teeth (First Molars) , which are the back teeth used for grinding food. The last to come are the pointed teeth in the upper jaw, also called 'eyeteeth/canines' . Most babies have all 20 baby teeth by the time they are three years old . However, if your baby's teething seems to be much later than this, it's a good idea to talk to a doctor.

Very rarely, that is, in very few cases, some babies are born with just one or two teeth. Or, a tooth may come in within the first few weeks of birth. Unless the baby has difficulty sucking because of these teeth, or there is no fear that the teeth will become loose and become stuck, this is usually nothing to worry about.

What are the symptoms of teething in babies?

When teething begins, babies start to drool more . They also try to chew on anything they can get their hands on. For some babies, teething doesn't cause much pain. But for others, it only lasts for a short time and they become restless. For others , they scream and cry constantly for weeks, don't sleep well at night, and don't eat .

Teething can be a really difficult time for babies, but if your baby is crying uncontrollably or is very fussy , it's best to talk to a doctor.

Your baby's gums may be swollen and sore, so their temperature may be a little higher than normal. But the most important thing is that teething never causes a high fever or diarrhea. If your baby has a fever or diarrhea while teething, there must be something else causing it. So you should definitely see a doctor, right?

How can you make teething a little easier for your baby?

This is the biggest problem that many mothers have. It's hard to watch your baby cry and suffer. So here are some simple things you can do:

• Wipe away saliva: Since your baby is constantly drooling, gently wipe his face and around his mouth with a clean cloth . Otherwise, the saliva may cause a skin rash.
• Massage the gums: Clean your finger thoroughly and gently stroke your baby's gums . This will help him feel some relief.
• Give your baby something to chew on: Give your baby something safe to chew on. But it should be big enough for your baby to swallow, and it should not break into small pieces .
• You can put a damp cloth in the freezer for about 30 minutes. But you need to take it out before it becomes hard as a rock . Otherwise, you can hurt your swollen gums even more. Don't forget to wash it well after use.
• Teething rings made of rubber are good. But don't buy ones with liquid inside. They can break and the liquid can come out. If you use a teething ring, keep it in the fridge to cool, not in the freezer . Also, never sterilize it by boiling it in hot water . Extreme temperature changes can damage the plastic and release chemicals.
• Teething biscuits and cold foods: These can only be given to babies who are starting to eat solid foods . Do not give these to babies who are not yet eating solid foods. Also, you need to watch your baby closely while they are eating, as pieces can break and choke.
• Medication: If your baby seems very sick, ask your doctor for advice and give him a small dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen (for babies over 6 months) to help relieve pain. But never give him medication without a doctor's advice .

Never do these things!

• Never place an aspirin tablet on a tooth.
• Do not rub alcohol on your baby's gums.
• Do not tie a teething ring around your baby's neck or anywhere else. It can get tangled in something and cause the baby to choke.
• Do not use teething necklaces made of amber. They can break and become stuck in pieces, or the necklace can get stuck in the neck.
• Some teething gels and tablets on the market are not safe for babies. Therefore, it is best not to use them.

How to take care of baby's teeth?

It is very important to take good care of your baby's teeth from the day they start coming in. These baby teeth will fall out after a while. But if they decay (Tooth Decay), they can fall out before they do. Then, gaps form before the permanent teeth come in. Then the remaining baby teeth try to fill those gaps and grow together. Because of this, when the permanent teeth come in, they can be pulled out and come out of different places. Imagine how messy it would be if that happened.

Therefore, daily tooth brushing should begin before the baby's first tooth erupts.

• Before the first tooth comes in: Wipe your baby's gums once a day with a clean, damp cloth or piece of gauze . Or, gently brush with a soft-bristled toothbrush made for babies, using only water . This does not require toothpaste.
• After the first tooth comes in: Brush your teeth using water and fluoride toothpaste. But you should only use a very small amount of toothpaste, about the size of a grain of rice .
• When your baby is able to rinse their mouth and spit out the toothpaste (usually around 3 years old), you can give them a little more toothpaste (about the size of a pea). Choose a toothpaste that contains fluoride . Do not let young children swallow toothpaste or eat it from a tube. Too much fluoride is harmful to young children.

Once all of your baby's baby teeth have come in, try to brush them at least twice a day, especially after meals . It's also a good idea to get your baby used to flossing between their teeth at a young age. A good time to start flossing is when two teeth start to come together. Talk to your dentist about how to floss these little teeth. You can also help your baby get used to this by letting him watch you brush and floss while you do it, and encouraging him to imitate you.

Another important thing to do to prevent tooth decay is to not let your baby sleep with a bottle of milk in his mouth . Milk or fruit juice can remain in your baby's mouth and cause tooth decay and plaque to form.

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that babies be seen by a dentist by the time they are one year old, or within 6 months of their first tooth . This allows for early detection of any problems and advice on how to protect their teeth.

A message to take home for you.

Okay, so teething is a challenging time for both you and your baby. But with the right knowledge, love, and patience, you can get through this time with ease.

• Pay attention to your baby's behavior. If there are any unusual symptoms (high fever, diarrhea) , see a doctor immediately .
• Use only safe methods to soothe your baby. Remember that not everything on the market is good.
• Keeping your teeth clean starts before the first tooth comes in. It's very important for the health of your teeth in the future.
• You are not alone. There are other mothers who have had similar experiences. If necessary, seek advice from a doctor or family health worker.

So, don't worry. This period will be over soon, and you'll be able to see your little one smiling with a beautiful pair of teeth!

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