For months you’ve been enjoying your baby’s gummy smiles. But your baby has started drooling a little, and seems to want to chew on everything and anything. Are her first teeth ready to erupt?

Teething signs and symptoms

When your baby starts teething, you may notice the following:

• Drooling
• Biting
• Sucking on hands
• Irritability, fussiness
• Wakefulness
• Ear rubbing
• A rash on the chin or around the mouth

When will my baby get teeth?

The lower central incisors are typically the first teeth to erupt – usually between 6 and 10 months. But your baby may show teething signs months ahead of that as the teeth start to push up through the gums. The top central incisors will show up between 8 and 12 months. And the remaining teeth slowly appear over the next couple of years, with the second molars coming in when your baby is 2½ to 3 years old.

What can I do about teething pain?

Those gums are sore! But pressure seems to make them feel better. Find one or two safe teethers that your baby really loves – they might be wooden, rubber or even cloth. Try gum massage – using a clean index finger, gently rub small circles all around baby’s gums. Freeze a wet washcloth and allow baby to chew on it, or put a baby spoon in the fridge to chill and give it to baby as a teether. Talk to your doctor about pain relievers – ibuprofen and acetaminophen may be useful for the worst bouts of pain but it’s best to consult a doctor first. Consider topical pain relievers, too.

How do I care for my baby’s teeth?

Even before those first teeth appear, you may want to use a washcloth or small piece of gauze over your finger to gently wipe baby’s gums after eating. The using a small, soft toothbrush and water only, you can clean the teeth as they appear. Be sure to brush the front and back of the teeth. You can slowly start using toothpaste as your baby gets older (start with just the tiniest smear and graduate to a pea-sized dollop of a gentle toothpaste when your child is around age 3).

Experts recommend scheduling your baby’s first dental exam between the ages 1 and 3 to check tooth development, with regular checkups thereafter.

Allow your baby a few sips of water after meals to wash away food particles. Don’t allow your baby to fall asleep with a bottle or sippy cup to prevent tooth decay. Breastfeeding to sleep, however, doesn’t need to be avoided, as the breastmilk doesn’t typically pool in the mouth in the same way.

Now that she has teeth, do I need to stop breastfeeding?

Many moms worry about baby biting the breast when feeding. When the baby is latched correctly, the tongue typically covers the lower gums and biting is unlikely. If baby falls asleep and lets go a little, he may try to recover by clamping down with his gums – and his new teeth. Paying close attention and removing baby from the breast when he is done actively nursing can prevent this from happening. Occasionally baby’s teeth will irritate the areola while nursing. Getting the best possible latch and changing positions often alleviates this problem.

When will my child start losing teeth?

Around age 6, your child may start losing their “baby teeth” – typically with the lower central incisors coming out first.

Fun Fact

Occasionally babies are born with teeth. Though very rare, these “natal teeth” have very little root structure holding them in place and are typically removed in the first couple of days after birth.

Written by Michelle, childbirth instructor, lactation consultant, and mother to 4 busy kids

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice.  All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Your baby may not even have any teeth yet, but it’s not too early to start her on the path to good dental health. Although those first teeth are only temporary, it’s still important to take good care of them. Decayed baby teeth can interfere with speech development and can cause permanent teeth to come in crooked.

One of the first things you can do to set the stage for healthy teeth is cleaning your baby’s gums. It might be surprising, but dentists recommend wiping your baby’s gums even before her first tooth comes in. Everyone has bacteria in their mouth, even your sweet baby. Bacteria may not harm your baby’s teeth if they have not cut through the gums yet. But it’s best to get your little one used to having her mouth cleaned.

At this point, you don’t need to use toothpaste. Just take a clean, wet washcloth or a piece of gauze and wipe your baby’s gums during bath time. Using this technique, you’ll wipe away bacteria and also stimulate her gums.

Once her first little tooth emerges, it’s time to start brushing your baby’s teeth. Choose a small, soft-bristled toothbrush. Use a circular motion when brushing, and be sure to be very gentle. Ideally, you should try to brush your baby’s teeth twice a day.

Dentists have different opinions on whether you should use toothpaste or not with babies, so ask your dentist or pediatrician. Your baby probably won’t get the hang of spitting toothpaste out right away, and you don’t want her to swallow too much. So if you do use toothpaste, stick to a tiny dab about the size of a grain of rice.

As your baby gets older, you can teach him to hold his toothbrush and try to brush his teeth. Keep in mind, you’ll probably have to do the brunt of the work until you child is five or six years old.

Most experts recommend your baby has his first dental checkup around his first birthday. Although your baby may only have a few teeth, your dentist can provide information and advice regarding tooth care, thumb sucking, pacifier use and teething.

Part of good dental care is also preventing tooth decay. Even young children can develop cavities. To decrease the chances of your little one developing a cavity, avoid putting your baby to bed with a bottle. If your baby falls asleep with a bottle, the milk can pool in her mouth, and the sugar in the milk can lead to tooth decay.

Written by MaryAnn DePietro @writerlady34

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.