What You Need To Know About Teething – Understanding The Basics

What You Need To Know About Teething – Understanding The Basics

If you’re a new parent, congratulations! You’re getting started on a wonderful journey. One of the first hurdles you’ll overcome is teething! Your baby is born without erupted teeth, but after about 6 months, you can expect their first baby (or “primary”) tooth to come in, followed by a full set of baby teeth!

At Carmel Mountain Dental Care, we offer comprehensive pediatric dentistry in Rancho Penasquitos. Let’s take a look at some of the most frequently-asked questions about teething now, to help you understand this process.

What Is Teething?

Teething is the process by which the primary teeth erupt from the gums. When a baby is born, their teeth are buried under their gums, but around 6 months of age, your baby’s first pair of teeth will erupt. This will continue until all 20 of their primary teeth have erupted.

Contrary to popular belief, teething does not actually “cut” the gums. Instead, a hormonal change occurs in your child which causes some of the gum tissue to separate and recede, allowing the underlying teeth to pass through.

This hormonal change also usually causes a slight elevation in temperature. During teething, it’s common for your child to have a temperature of about 100-101 degrees Fahrenheit.

Teething will usually take several years to complete. Most children are finished teething by the age of 3, though some may finish slightly sooner or later, depending on when the first baby tooth erupted.

How Can I Comfort My Teething Infant?

If you have a teething infant, you may be wondering how to comfort your child. The teething process can be uncomfortable for infants and young children, and they may cry more, or be more irritable.

There are a number of ways you can comfort your teething infant. Here are a few of the top choices from our family dentist in Rancho Peñasquitos.

• Rub your child’s gums – Using a clean finger or a gauze pad, you can rub your child’s gums to soothe sore, irritated gums. This also helps clean away any food particles that may be on the gums, preventing tooth decay and gum disease.
• Keep it cool – A chilled teething ring, a damp washcloth, or a cold spoon can be used to soothe a child’s irritated gums.
• Let your child gnaw on harder foods – If your child is able to eat solid foods, you can give them a piece of food such as a peeled cucumber or a carrot. They can gnaw on it, helping relieve discomfort. Just make sure that no pieces break off and become a choking hazard.

Drooling, irritability, and discomfort are common during teething, and they’re totally normal. So try these home remedies, and your child is sure to have an easier time getting through the teething process.

When Should I First Take My Teething Child To The Dentist?

We typically recommend taking your child to a family dentist in Rancho Peñasquitos or Carmel Mountain as soon as their first tooth erupts; usually at 6 months of age.

There are a few reasons that this is a good idea. First, early dental care helps you keep better track of the health of your child’s mouth.

Second, visiting the dentist regularly as a child can help build a relationship between your child and their dentist. This makes them less anxious about visiting the dentist as they get older.

Finally, going to the dentist for 6-month checkups ensures that any potential issues like improperly erupting teeth or tooth decay can be caught early.

Come To Carmel Mountain Dental Care For Family Dentistry 92129!

If you need a pediatric dentist in Rancho Peñasquitos, Dr. H. Jonathan Lee  at Carmel Mountain Dental Care i fantastic choices. Whether you’re in Rancho Bernardo, Poway, or 4S Ranch, we are here for you and your family.

So don’t wait, and don’t go through the process of teething without professional medical advice. Contact us now at (858) 484-4880, or visit our office at 9310 Carmel Mountain Rd Ste. A, San Diego, California 92129.