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Teething: Tips for soothing sore gums
Teething can be an ordeal for parents and babies alike. Learn how to soothe sore gums and care for your baby's new teeth.
By Mayo Clinic staffDrooling, crankiness and tears can make teething an ordeal for parents and babies alike. Here's help easing the pain — for both of you.
What's typical?
Although timing varies widely, most babies begin teething by about age 6 months. The two bottom front teeth (lower central incisors) are usually the first to appear, followed by the two top front teeth (upper central incisors).
Classic signs and symptoms of teething often include:
- Drooling, which may begin about two months before the first tooth appears
- Irritability
- Swollen gums
- Chewing on solid objects
- Crankiness
- Trouble sleeping
- Loss of appetite
Of course, some of these signs and symptoms are simply part of a baby's normal development. By 4 months, most babies explore objects with their mouths — whether teeth are about to emerge or not.
What's the best way to soothe sore gums?
If your teething baby seems uncomfortable, consider these simple tips.
- Rub your baby's gums. Use a clean finger, moistened gauze pad or damp washcloth to massage your baby's gums. The pressure can ease your baby's discomfort.
- Offer a teething ring. Try one made of firm rubber. The liquid-filled variety may break under the pressure of your baby's chewing. If a bottle seems to do the trick, fill it with water. Prolonged contact with sugar from formula, milk or juice may cause tooth decay.
- Keep it cool. A cold washcloth or chilled teething ring can be soothing. Don't give your baby a frozen teething ring, however. Contact with extreme cold may hurt, doing your baby more harm than good. If your baby's eating solid foods, offer cold items such as applesauce or yogurt.
- Dry the drool. Excessive drooling is part of the teething process. To prevent skin irritation, keep a clean cloth handy to dry your baby's chin. You may want to lay a clean cloth under your baby's head while he or she sleeps to keep the sheet dry.
- Try an over-the-counter remedy. If your baby is having trouble sleeping or is especially cranky, acetaminophen or ibuprofen may help. Don't give your baby products that contain aspirin. Most doctors don't recommend teething medications that can be rubbed directly on a baby's gums. The medication may be washed away by your baby's drool before it has the chance to do any good — and too much of the medication may numb your baby's throat, which may interfere with his or her normal gag reflex.
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