Baby Teeth: Teething Symptoms and Remedies
The first teeth of a newborn represent a period of growth and change in the child, but also a moment of discomfort and pain .
In this article I will explain how to recognize the most common symptoms of the teething phase, some remedies to relieve the discomfort and advice for correct oral hygiene.
Before starting, I'll leave you some useful information:
- If you would like to schedule a studio visit with me, you can find me here.
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- In the video courses section you will find how to promote the psychomotor development of the newborn.
The first teeth of the newborn: introduction
The first teeth are commonly called baby teeth , but in medical terms they are the deciduous teeth . By 30 months, the child has usually put in all 20 deciduous teeth that will fall out to make way for the 32 permanent teeth .
Baby teeth differ from the latter not only because they are temporary, but also because of their appearance. In fact, they are more porous, white and small .
One thing to keep in mind is that teething discomfort does not only appear when the teeth are about to cut through the gums, but can also begin a few months earlier.
Baby teething chart
Newborn teething is a natural process that marks the emergence of the baby's first teeth, usually called milk teeth or deciduous teeth. This process can begin as early as 3-6 months of age, but the first teeth usually appear around 5-8 months . As with motor development milestones, there is no fixed age for teething that is valid for all children.
Let's see, however, the general indicative scheme:
- Lower central incisors around 5-7 months;
- Upper central incisors at 8-12 months;
- Upper lateral incisors at 9-13 months;
- Lower lateral incisors at 10-16 months;
- First molars , both lower and upper, at 12-18 months;
- Canines , both lower and upper, at 16-24 months;
- Second molars , both lower and upper, at 22-33 months.
Like all changes in children, teething is a fascinating period, but also one to deal with for the little ones and their parents. In fact, the appearance of these is often associated with irritability, crying and difficulty sleeping for the newborn. In the next chapters we will see how to recognize if we are facing this phase and how to intervene.
When to worry if your baby's first teeth don't appear?
Before worrying, it is important to consider some factors that can influence the timing of newborn teething:
Family history : If your child's parents or siblings had late teething, it's possible your child will follow the same pattern.
General Development : If your baby is growing and developing normally in all other respects, a delay in teething may not be a cause for immediate concern.
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Teething Symptoms : Even if the teeth are not visible, your baby may show signs of teething such as swollen gums, increased salivation, and a desire to bite objects.
If your child has no visible teeth by 18 months , it is a good idea to have an evaluation to rule out any problems.
How can I tell if my baby's teeth are coming in?
The baby is annoying and has a harder time sleeping. A phrase that all parents have heard or said at least once, I'm sure.
If it happens around the fourth month, it could be a sleep regression, but teething could also be the cause.
Before going to see the most common symptoms of teething in newborns, let's see how it is possible to identify if teeth are coming through two methods:
- Observation : by looking at the gums against the light you may be able to notice the buds of the teeth that are about to emerge and the gums will appear swollen;
- Palpation : when the eruption process begins, it is possible to feel the tooth bud under the gum, where it is rising.