Tips to Help Your Teething Toddler

Teething occurs when a baby’s teeth first erupt. This exciting time can be an incredibly uncomfortable one for both your little one and you. Luckily, our staff at Sunshine Pediatric Dentistry has a handful of tips that can help make this process more bearable for the whole family! Here’s how to handle a teething toddler, and when you should consider taking them to the dentist to relieve their symptoms.

Signs of Teething

When a child is teething, they’re experiencing intense soreness and pain in their gums as their baby teeth erupt through the gum line. Excessive drooling, crankiness, tender gums, chewing on objects, and increase in temperature (with an absence of fever) are all signs of teething.

4 Tips to Make Your Teething Toddler Comfortable

Below are some safe tips on how to make the teething process a smoother one for your child.

1. Rub their gums

The pressure of rubbing your toddler’s gums with a clean finger or wet gauze can help ease the soreness and pain they’re feeling.

2. Use cool teething objects

Give your child a cool (not frozen) teething ring or chilled spoon to chew on while they’re teething. However, it’s very important to always be aware of choking risks or hazards when you give your child a teething object. You can also give them chilled yogurt or applesauce to snack on.

3. Use medication

Talk to your pediatrician about administering pain medication to your child to help alleviate their symptoms.

4. Don’t change your routine

Don’t adjust your child’s sleep schedule when they’re teething — it’s only going to lead to future sleep issues.

Remedies to Avoid

If you surf the web, you might find recommendations to use homeopathic remedies to ease the effects of teething. Many of these products contain a high amount of belladonna, which is known to cause seizures and breathing difficulties. You should also avoid any medications containing lidocaine or benzocaine since they can be fatal to your toddler. Finally, don’t purchase teething anklets, bracelets, or necklaces, as they pose a serious choking hazard.

Caring for Your Toddler’s Teeth

The moment your child’s first tooth erupts, they’re ready to visit the dentist! It’s easier for children to feel at ease at the dentist if they start visiting us when they are young. Even though your child’s baby teeth will eventually fall out, they play an important role in your child’s oral health, so be sure to establish a consistent oral healthcare routine for your child as soon as possible.

Pediatric Dentistry in San Antonio, TX

Visiting a dentist twice a year is the best way to ensure your child’s teeth and gums are healthy and strong. At Sunshine Pediatric Dentistry, we love to cater to the unique needs of younger patients and give them the gift of dental health. Our cozy office offers kid-friendly amenities to help them feel at ease during their time with us, and we offer a variety of financing options to suit all financial backgrounds. Schedule an appointment online by clicking the link below.