Family Dentistry

Tips for Parents with Teething Kids

Nov 1 • 2 minute read

A baby laying on a blanket with a teether.

 

When you become a parent, your sense of time can start to do weird things. The days will seem to last forever sometimes, but when see how quickly your little one changes before your eyes, the months seem to fly by. One of the things that can make the days seem painfully long is the dreaded period known to parents as teething.

Your little one will express irritability, excessive drooling, and may have some sleepless nights—many of which you'll unfortunately also participate in. Teething is painful for a child, which is why we spent some time gathering these tips for parents to help soothe their pain and get through the whole ordeal with gusto.

Choose Teething Rings Made From Safe Materials

Before you give your baby a teething ring, make sure you know what it's made of. Make sure to avoid toys with phthalates, a type of chemical found in older toys made of soft plastic or vinyl. Government agencies are studying phthalates and suspect exposure to the group of chemicals may affect development and could cause cancer.

Many prominent health organizations also recommend against liquid-filled teething rings. We recommend the firm, solid rubber teething rings.

Soothe Your Baby's Gums

There are several safe things you can use to soothe your baby's throbbing gums if they're wailing in pain. Stick a spoon in the fridge for a bit and rub it across your baby's gums. You can also wet a washcloth and stick it in the freezer. Break it out for your baby to chew on when their mouth hurts.

Make Sure to Keep Baby's Mouth Clean

You can start brushing baby's teeth as soon as they start to appear. Make sure to brush gently, and use a brush with soft bristles. You definitely want to keep a regular dental hygiene routine with them when they start teething to reduce the chances of infection caused by bacteria. Also, make sure any teething rings or chew toys are clean before they go in your baby's mouth.

Steer Clear of Benzocaine

Many parents eventually look for over-the-counter teething gels and liquids to help relieve their teething child's pain. Make sure you avoid medications that contain benzocaine. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends children under 2 years of age should avoid benzocaine. Instead, stick with pain relievers that contain ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

Thanks for Reading!

It's good for parents to remember that teething will get easier as you learn what works for your baby and your baby learns what to expect with the each new tooth. Despite the sleepless nights and crying, you'll make it through this just like your parents did!

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Christopher and Anne Thompson, D.D.S.
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