Teething

Baby teeth appear at different ages for different babies and can sometimes take w long time before they appear. By three years of age, most children will have all their primary teeth. If you baby doesn't have at least one tooth by age one, you should consult a dentist.

There are 20 primary teeth or baby teeth that every child should have. Ten uppers and ten lowers. Typically, the appearance of baby teeth is as follows:

• The upper and lower incisors come in first.
• The upper lateral incisors come in a few months later
• Shortly after that the lower lateral incisors will come in.
• The top and bottom molars are usually next at around 18 months
• The cuspids or eyeteeth follow soon after the molars
• At age two to two and a half you will see the second set of molars.

This order can vary and it really isn't that important. Occasionally a baby will not get an entire set of baby teeth. If you baby does not have 20 teeth by the age of three you should take him to the dentist.

About 1 in every 2000 babies are born with two front teeth. Ask your doctor if you should consult a pediatric dentist if this happens.

If you intent to breastfeed, these teeth may pose a problem. Ask for advice while you are still in the hospital. There are many good support groups for nursing mothers that will be able to help you with this situation.

Signs that teeth are trying to break through:

• Increases fussiness
• Nighttime crying
• Clingy behavior
• Excessive dribbling and drooling
• Chewing on fingers or other objects
• Swollen, red gums
• Increased demand to feed
• Rejection of bottle or breasts
• Poor appetite
• Interrupted sleep

Although you may have heard otherwise from will meaning friends and relatives, teething does not cause a significant fever, diarrhea, diaper rash or lowered resistance.

Teeth are usually coming in right around the time you are introducing new foods. New foods could cause diarrhea which in turn will cause diaper rash. Food allergies can cause a fever and what will appear to be flu like symptoms. This is not from the teeth, it is from the food.

What can your do to help baby's teething discomfort?

• Gently massage the swollen gums with a clean finger.
• Tie a knot in a washcloth and dip it in apple juice. Throw it in the freezer for about 30 minutes. Offer this to baby.
• Keep teething rings in the refrigerator. Offer them for about 20 to 30 minutes and replace with an new cold ring. Don't freeze teething rings, this is too cold for your baby to hold onto.
• Popsicles are good for teething.
• Don't use teething ointments on babies younger than 6 months. They could numb the throat and cause your baby to choke.
• NEVER offer your baby any alcohol to numb sore gums. Babies have died from this!
• Use baby acetaminophen or ibuprofen if your baby is in a lot of pain. Ask you doctor how much to use.

Even though these baby teeth will eventually fall out and be replaced with permanent teeth, you still have to take care of these temporary teeth.

Be sure to wipe the new teeth with a wash cloth after baby is done feeding. You can also use gauze or a baby toothbrush.

Once there are teeth in baby's mouth, you can not let baby fall asleep with a bottle in his mouth. This will cause tooth decay very rapidly. If you must give baby a bedtime bottle, make sure it only contains water.