Baby Teeth: How to deal with teething problems and more
Whether they’re struggling to sleep or suffering from crankiness, teething problems can cause real discomfort to your baby. If you don’t solve the problem soon, it can be all too easy to make the process even more uncomfortable. To help you out, we’ve got together some ways to deal with teething problems.
Teething rings
One of the biggest signals that your baby is teething is their sudden desire to chew everything in sight. Whether that’s toys, furniture or even their own fingers, replacing those items with a safer option will help the teething process massively. Teething rings come in all shapes and sizes and are a great way to help your baby chew safely, as well as improving the strength of their teeth. If you have a baby older than 6 months, you could also give them healthy vegetable sticks to nibble on.
Time for the dentist
Adults should pay their dentist a visit at least twice a year, and babies aren’t any different. When you start to notice their first milk teeth coming through, booking an appointment at the dentist could help stop any future problems with your tot’s teeth. Try and make the trip as fun as possible to keep any anxiety at bay - a successful first trip to the dentist could make visits a lot easier in the future.
Spot the signs
Looking out for early teething signs will make you much more prepared for the process. Keep an eye out for symptoms like flushed cheeks, rubbing of the ear, frequent dribbling and increased chewing. If you think your baby is overly distressed or is appearing more fretful than usual, it’s time to get to the dentist. At the end of the day, it’s always better to play it safe.
Start brushing
As soon as the first milk tooth peeps up through their gums at around 6 months, it’s time to start a daily brushing routine. Grab some baby-friendly fluoride toothpaste and take about two minutes to gently clean your child’s teeth. Not only is this helpful to the teething process, but it sets down a routine that will stay with your child through to adulthood. Just be careful your baby doesn’t eat or lick the toothpaste!
By the time they’re over two years old, your baby should have a full set of gnashers to enjoy. If you’re lucky, the teething process may go by without any hiccups, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Follow on our tips and we’re sure you’ll cope with it perfectly.
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