Teething – Palm Harbor, FL
Safe and Effective Solutions to Minimizing Teething Discomfort
Teething in Palm Harbor is a natural part of the growing process for any infant. While some may be able to handle the eruption of these baby teeth better than others, it’s likely you and your little one will experience a few tears along the way. Fortunately, Dr. Maggie Davis and her team of experts can help you and your child better navigate these often rough waters with useful and effective tips to use at home. Whether it is understanding the signs your baby is teething or ways to numb the pain and offer temporary relief, you can trust we are here to walk you through the process.
Why Choose Dr. Maggie Davis for Teething?
- Safe and reliable treatments recommended
- Board-certified pediatric dentist and Diplomate in the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
- Highly-qualified and compassionate dental team
The Teething Process
Is your child crying more often? Are they avoiding feeding times? Do they drool excessively? If so, you’ve officially entered the early stage of teething. When your child is born, their adorable gummy smile hides 20 primary teeth, all of which are sitting patiently beneath the gums. Typically, when they approach six months of age, the first tooth will begin to erupt. While each child is different, this initial tooth may not appear until they are close to a year old. When this happens, you can expect your child to voice their displeasure in a variety of ways, and although you will want the teething phase to end sooner rather than later, the truth is that most children will not have all their baby teeth until they reach the age of 3.
Signs Your Baby is Teething
The most common signs that your baby will display when they start teething include:
- Unwillingness to eat
- Excessive drooling
- Difficulty sleeping
- Chewing or gnawing on hands or fingers
- Pulling their ears
- Rubbing their cheeks
- Facial rash
Should you begin to notice your baby developing a cold or cough, experiencing diarrhea, or registering a fever higher than 102 degrees, call our office right away.
How to Alleviate Your Child’s Pain
Your child’s pediatric dentist in Palm Harbor can recommend an array of safe and effective products and techniques, each designed to minimize discomfort and give you and your baby relief from the stress surrounding teething.
When your baby begins to display signs they are cutting teeth, try these methods:
- Use a clean finger or gauze to gently massage their gums
- Offer a solid teething toy. This will give them something to chew on and temporarily relieve any pain
- Keep teethers in the refrigerator, as the cold will help to numb their gums
- Offer soft foods (if old enough) like sugar-free applesauce
It is strongly advised that you avoid ointments containing benzocaine. The reason for this is that this particular ingredient is known to be harmful to children and even toxic to babies.
If you are struggling to help your baby achieve relief, don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Davis and our team. We are here to make this process more manageable for both you and your child.