Teething

When Will My Baby’s Teeth Appear?

A baby’s first teeth tend to appear around four to seven months. Some babies teeth will appear sooner and occasionally some babies are born with teeth. These are called milk teeth. The central incisors (front, cutting teeth) tend to show first and gradually the teeth behind start to grow from front incisors to canines, to first and second molars.

The degree of discomfort that babies experience while teething varies considerably. For some the process is long and painful, for other is is all over very quickly. The speed at which teething occurs is often hereditary.

How Long Will The Milk Teeth Last?

Milk teeth are the first set of teeth. Usually they are all through by the age of three. You child will probably keep them until they are around six. Gradually the milk teeth will begin to fall out and will be replaced by permanent adult teeth.

How Do I Know That My Baby Is Teething?

The following signs can all be indicative that your baby is teething:-

dribbling
chewing
restlessness
crying
diarrhoea
temperature
loss of appetite
red, swollen gums, can be with white blisters
red cheeks
ear pulling
irritable

What Can I Do To Help?

Let you baby have something cool to drink or chew. This can offer pain relief. It might be a teething toy, a biscuit, piece of fruit or vegetable. Other pain relievers include, rubbing their gums with your finger, infant paracetamol and teething gels and powders available over the counter.

How Do I Brush My Baby’s Teeth?

Try to start brushing your baby’s teeth as soon as the first tooth appears. These teeth will fall out once your child reaches the age of six but they need to be kept healthy in the meantime to help your baby to bite and eat. If milk teeth become excessively decayed there is a possibility that they can deform the mouth permanently. Use a very soft bristled brush. There is no need for toothpaste until around the age of one. Push the brush back and forwards very gently around the teeth. You might arrange their first dental check up between the ages of two and three,

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