Teething syndrome and how to prevent it.

Teething syndrome and how to prevent it

Teething syndrome — or simply “teething” — is a normal process that some infants go through as their teeth break, or cut, through their gums. According to the American Dental Association, babies start teething when they are between 6 and 12 months old. By the time a child is 3 years old, they should have a first or primary set of 20 teeth.

Having teeth means your child will be able to eat a bigger variety of foods, but getting there can be tough on both baby and parent. There are ways you can make your child more comfortable during the process, and there are signs that signal when it’s time to call the pediatrician.

Symptoms include:

Each infant has a unique mix of symptoms during teething. The most common symptoms are mild irritability and a lack of appetite.

Many babies have few or no symptoms when their teeth break through the gums. Some babies will show at least one or two of the following symptoms when they begin to teethe:

- drooling
- chewing on solid objects
- mild fussiness and crankiness
- irritability
- loss of appetite
- sore and tender gums
- red and swollen gums

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Relieving your baby’s teething pain

While teething is a natural process, there are some tried and true methods to help relieve your baby’s discomfort. You can try rubbing your child’s gums with a damp washcloth, a clean finger, or a special gum-rubbing finger pad.

Teething rings are also popular options. Babies can chew on these to ease the discomfort. If you can, chill a teething ring in the refrigerator beforehand. This provides pressure on the gums along with a soothing coolness. You should never freeze the ring because it can break and possibly choke your infant.

With time, you should begin to introduce harder foods, like cold fruit and vegetables, to your baby’s diet. This is an important milestone that can also alleviate teething discomfort. Make sure to stay with the child at all times so you can monitor their chewing and prevent choking.

During teething, a baby’s constant drooling can irritate their skin. Use a bib to keep your baby’s chin as dry as possible.

How Mouth guards protect children's teeth

Mouthguards help protect teeth and keep dental injuries to a minimum, particularly when playing and training for contact sports. All children playing contact sports should wear a mouthguard, even primary school-age children. Professionally fitted mouthguards are comfortable, allow speech and do not restrict breathing.

Suggestions for parents and carers include:

- Avoid do-it-yourself 'boil and fit' type mouthguards – they are unlikely to provide effective protection. See your child's dentist to have a customised mouthguard fitted.
- Make sure your child wears their mouthguard at training and during the game. It may help to talk to their coach about it as all sporting clubs are encouraged to have a compulsory mouthguard policy.
- Update your child's mouthguard every 12 to 18 months to ensure that it still fits and is fully effective. Take it to your regular dental visit to have it checked for wear and tear.
- Keep the mouthguard clean.
- When not in use, store the mouthguard in a rigid container and away from heat to make sure it maintains its shape.

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