If your baby is teething, they’re most likely going to be fussy due to the pain and discomfort they feel. You may be wondering: at what age should your child start seeing a dentist? Do you need to bring them in as soon as they start teething? Or not until they’re a few years? The answer is that you should schedule their first dental visit around 6 months from when their first tooth comes in; but until then, there are many ways you make the teething process easier for them – and you!
Massage Their Gums
Applying even a little bit of pressure to your baby’s gums can make all the difference in relieving their pain. Make sure to wash your hands, and massage their gums with a finger or two. Only apply light pressure so you don’t cause any additional pain or irritation. Teeth breaking through the gums can cause extreme pressure, but massaging the gums counters the pressure of the teeth, helping them relax and be pain-free.
Use a Cold Washcloth
A cold washcloth on teething gums can also work wonders. Dip a clean washcloth in cold water and wring it out so it’s not dripping. Put it in your refrigerator or freezer for about an hour, take it out and fold it, and allow your baby to chew on it. The coldness will feel great against their painful gums, and the texture of the cloth creates friction and can help soothe any discomfort.
Give Them Frozen Fruits
Your baby may not be old enough for solid foods, but if they are, frozen fruit can be a great tool to soothe their irritated gums. Mash up some bananas, strawberries, blueberries, or mangos and put them in the freezer. You can put the pulverized fruit in mesh feeders, or cut large frozen chunks and allow them to carefully suck on them – with plenty of supervision to prevent choking.
Make Milk Popsicles
If babies are in a lot of pain and discomfort from teething, they may refrain from eating. However, you must keep them hydrated and satiated, and milk popsicles are a great way to do so. Put the milk of your choice in popsicle makers, stick them in the freezer with a wooden stick, and in a few hours, you’ll have homemade milk popsicles.
The coldness of the popsicle will feel great against their gums, and they’ll be getting their nutrients at the same time.
Give Them a Foot Massage
Reflex points in the body can be very powerful – and some research has shown that there are connections between the teeth and toes. Try massaging their foot while focusing specifically on the toes; give extra attention to points on both sides of their toes, above the nail bed on their big toe, and the solar plexus point right underneath the ball of their foot. These pressure points can have a surprisingly significant effect on their teething pain.
Contact Our Dallas Pediatric Dental Office
While you may usually associate dentistry with older children, bringing in your child for an evaluation when their first tooth comes in can prevent problems down the line and give you peace of mind. Our state-of-the-art facility is specifically geared towards children, and our compassionate staff members are dedicated to making sure your little ones feel safe and comfortable.
To schedule your child’s first dental appointment for a lifetime of healthy smiles, give us a call today or check out our website!
