Most babies don’t get any teeth until they’re around six months old. But even before those first baby teeth come in, dental care is important. Summer Dental in Las Vegas can help.
When those first teeth appear, your baby may be fussy or irritable. Well, it hurts! There are some things you can do to make your child more comfortable:
- Apply Cool Temperatures. Much the way ice helps numb the pain of a sprained ankle, cold compresses can help sore gums. Place a wet washcloth in a clean sandwich bag and chill it in the refrigerator. When it’s nice and chilled, remove the washcloth and let baby munch on it. One caution: do not put the washcloth in the freezer, because it could get icy and damage the gums.
- Pressure. Gently massage your baby’s gums. The light pressure can distract from the teething pain.
- Teething crackers. You can find teething crackers at most grocery stores. Babies usually find relief from chewing on hard objects.
- Topical medication. You can also find over-the-counter numbing gels or creams at the store. Note, however, that the Food and Drug Administration cautions against using any medication that contains benzocaine in children under two, without a doctor’s advice.
Remember that fluoride is good for baby, even before the teeth start coming in, because it can strengthen the enamel of the teeth as they form. Call your local water department to see whether municipal water is fluoridated.
If you have any questions about your baby’s teeth, you can always reach out to Summer Dental in Las Vegas. We provide pediatric dentistry and early dental care. And since active kids sometimes get hurt, we also offer emergency dental care.
