The Baby Teething Process

The teething process can be a difficult period for both the baby and the parents.
The process starts at different ages depending on each baby but usually by age
of 3 most infants have their primary teeth in place. If by one



year your baby still has not got his first tooth it would be wise to see your
doctor and dentist.

There are 20 primary or "baby" teeth that every child has during
their lifetime, with ten in the upper jaw and ten in the lower. Usually, the
appearance of baby teeth is as follows: the upper and lower incisors come first,
then the upper lateral incisors come in a few months later, followed shortly
thereafter with the bottom lateral incisors. The top and bottom molars are the
next set to come through, usually right around 18 months. The cuspids, or eyeteeth,
usually follow soon after the molars. At approximately two, to two and a half
years, the second set of molars will appear.

Usually there is no set order in which baby teeth appear - again this
depends on the individual baby. It is unusual for a child not to get all twenty
teeth.

Some babies can be born with a front tooth (this happens in about 1 in every
2000 cases). In this even it is wise to consult a paediatric dentist. This situation
can affect the breastfeeding process so a paediatric dentist should be consulted
as soon as possible, especially if you intend to breastfeed.

Here are the signs that your baby may be teething:

• Bulging gums - you'll be able to see the outline of the
teeth as they try and push through his gums.

• Nighttime crying and walking.

• More fuss than normal.

• "Clingy" behaviour.

• An increase in the amount of drooling seen.

• Chewing on fingers, teething rings, and other objects.

• Swollen, red, inflamed gums.

• Poor appetite.

• Interrupted sleep.

There is some debate about this, but it is now generally accepted that teething
will not cause fever, sleep issues or lower immunity to infection.

Teething is very painful - if you have ever bitten the inside of your
cheek you know how painful this can be - now imagine a baby that is used
to a soft smooth surface (gums) and suddenly she has a hard and sharp tooth
pushing through her swollen gums. Generally it's the first tooth that
will cause the most discomfort.

When babies are going through the teething process they sometimes bring their
hands to their mouths - this brings some relief when the gums have pressure
applied to them. You can gently massage your baby to reduce the discomfort of
teething - clean your fingers and rub the gums firmly - this may
be uncomfortable for your baby initially but she will get used to, and appreciate,
the massage the more you do it.

Give your baby something cool to chew on - this again provides relief
for a little time. Wet washcloths (you can soak this in apple juice if you wish)
that have been left in the freezer for 30 minutes or so - can be given
to your baby

to chew. Just remember, whatever you use make sure that your baby cannot choke
on it. Other things that your baby can chew on include a chilled banana or an
iced Popsicle. An old wives tale remedy recommends that you dab some alcohol
on your baby's gums - it is strongly recommended that you do NOT
do this.

While primary teeth will at one stage be replaced by the permanent teeth, they
are very important for several reasons - including chewing and speech.
Once these teeth are in, you can clean them with a special baby toothbrush.

Be sure to never allow your baby to fall asleep with a bottle. This will lead
to tooth decay. Whether a baby is bottle fed or nursed, he will be vulnerable
to "baby bottle tooth decay". Such decay occurs when freshly sprouted
baby teeth are exposed to liquids containing sugars (basically, anything other
than water) for long periods of time. Bacteria in the mouth will grow in the
sugar, which attack the tooth enamel and cause cavities. The best treatment
for "baby bottle tooth decay" is prevention. Don't let your baby
use a bottle as a pacifier or fall asleep with a bottle containing anything
but water. Also, be sure to gently clean his teeth and gums after each feeding.

You may also see some teething symptoms - on the whole these are fairly
harmless. For example, drool rash where a red rash can be seen on the face,
lips, chin and chest. This can be washed with warm water and a cloth and your
doctor may prescribe a lanolin ointment as treatment for this. Sometimes

other symptoms can include mild diarrhoea and a cough caused by excess saliva
dripping down the baby's throat.

Here are some good tips to use to care for your baby's teeth:

• Clean your baby's mouth before the teething process. You can wipe
the gums after each feeding with a warm, wet washcloth.

• Take good care of the teeth once they start to come in. Some parents
wrongly believe that because primary teeth are eventually replaced they are
not that important - this is false as they preserve the space for the
permanent teeth, not to mention help with chewing and talking.

• Actively watch for cavities - if you spot any discolouration or
pitting then they could be signs of cavities. Try and avoid putting your baby
to sleep with milk (or even worse sweet juice) as it could lead to cavities.
In addition follow up meals with water as this helps to wash off most infant
foods quite easily.

• Introduce a toothbrush as soon as possible. In addition you should monitor
your baby's fluoride intake as this can help prevent tooth decay. It's
also important to schedule a dental check up for your baby - shortly after
the first year is a good time for the first visit.

Creating good dental practice from the start will help ensure that you baby
continues good dental hygiene for years into the future.

About the Author
Author is the writer for many sites including Las
Vegas . and Baby Shower Help