Teething is a significant milestone in your baby’s development, but it can also be a challenging time for both infants and parents. As your baby’s primary teeth begin to emerge through their gums, they may experience discomfort that leads to irritability, disrupted sleep, and feeding difficulties. At Little Roots Pediatric Dental, our pediatric dentists in Nassau County understand the concerns that come with teething and want to help make this developmental phase easier for your family.
Our pediatric dental specialists have extensive experience helping parents navigate teething challenges while maintaining optimal oral health for their little ones.
Understanding the Teething Timeline
While every baby’s teething experience is unique, most follow a relatively predictable pattern:
- First teeth (usually lower front incisors) typically emerge around 6 months of age
- Teeth generally appear in pairs
- Most children have 20 primary teeth by age 3
- Teething discomfort may begin several weeks before a tooth visibly breaks through
Some babies show minimal signs of discomfort during teething, while others experience more noticeable symptoms.
Common Teething Signs and Symptoms
While teething experiences vary widely, many babies exhibit some of these signs:
- Increased drooling
- Swollen, tender gums
- Irritability or fussiness
- Desire to chew on hard objects
- Changes in eating or sleeping patterns
- Mild temperature elevation (Note: high fevers are NOT typically caused by teething)
- Facial rash from excess drooling
It’s important to remember that teething doesn’t cause significant illness. If your baby has a high fever, severe diarrhea, or seems genuinely ill, consult your pediatrician, as these symptoms likely have causes other than teething.
Safe Relief Strategies
To help ease your baby’s discomfort during teething, consider these pediatric dentist-approved approaches:
- Gently massage your baby’s gums with a clean finger or moistened gauze pad
- Provide chilled (not frozen) teething rings or clean, wet washcloths
- Offer appropriate teething toys with different textures (always supervise usage)
- For babies eating solid foods, provide cold foods like chilled applesauce or yogurt
- Keep a clean bib or cloth handy to wipe excess drool, protecting against facial rash
Teething Products: What’s Safe and What to Avoid
With so many teething products on the market, it’s important to know which are safe for your baby:
Generally safe options (with proper supervision):
- Silicone or rubber teething rings
- Clean, wet washcloths
- Teething toys specifically designed for babies
- Mesh feeders with chilled foods
Products to avoid:
- Teething tablets containing belladonna
- Teething gels with benzocaine
- Amber teething necklaces (choking and strangulation hazard)
- Frozen teething rings (too hard on sensitive gums)
- Liquid-filled teething rings that could leak
If over-the-counter pain relievers seem necessary, consult your pediatrician for appropriate options and dosing.
Oral Care During Teething
Even before teeth emerge, oral hygiene is important:
- Wipe your baby’s gums with a clean, damp cloth after feedings
- Once teeth appear, begin gentle brushing with an infant toothbrush and a rice-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste
- Avoid putting your baby to bed with a bottle, as this can lead to tooth decay
- Schedule your child’s first dental visit by their first birthday or when the first tooth appears
When to Seek Professional Advice
While teething is a normal process, contact your pediatrician or pediatric dentist if:
- Your child seems unusually uncomfortable or has prolonged irritability
- You notice significant changes in eating or sleeping patterns
- Your child develops a high fever, rash, or diarrhea (likely unrelated to teething)
- Teeth emerge in an unusual pattern or with discoloration
- No teeth have appeared by 18 months of age
We’re Here to Help
At Little Roots Pediatric Dental, we’re committed to supporting families through every stage of dental development. Our team provides compassionate care and practical guidance to help your child maintain excellent oral health from infancy through adolescence.
For more information about teething or to schedule your child’s first dental visit, contact our office at (516) 738-4434. We look forward to partnering with you in your child’s dental health journey!
