Teething can make for some long days and even longer nights. As your baby’s first teeth begin pushing through their gums, they may be fussy, drool more than usual, chew on anything within reach, or have tender, swollen gums. While you may be looking for any and every way to provide quick relief, you may not be aware that some popular teething remedies can create unnecessary risks to your baby’s oral health. Below, we review five simple ways to soothe your baby as they teethe while still protecting their developing smile.
1. Use a Chilled Teething Ring
A cold teething ring can help soothe sore, irritated gums while giving your baby something safe to chew. Refrigerate the ring according to the manufacturer’s directions, but avoid freezing it. An extremely cold or frozen teether may be too hard and may irritate your baby’s sensitive gum tissue.
2. Gently Massage Their Gums
Sometimes the simplest approach to teething relief is the best one. Make sure your hands are clean, and gently rub your baby’s gums with one finger. This light pressure can temporarily relieve discomfort, especially when a tooth is close to breaking through your child’s gums.
3. Offer Safe Foods When Appropriate
If your baby has started eating solid foods, giving them chilled, age-appropriate snacks may provide some much-needed relief from teething discomfort. As with any food, always choose options that are suitable for your child’s developmental stage, and supervise them closely as they eat to minimize their choking risk.
4. Avoid Potentially Harmful Teething Remedies
It may come as a surprise that not every product marketed for teething babies is a good choice. Avoid teething jewelry, including amber necklaces, which can pose choking and strangulation hazards. Parents should also avoid using numbing gels or pain medications unless specifically recommended by their pediatrician or dentist. Products containing ingredients such as benzocaine can pose serious health risks to young children.
5. Start Healthy Dental Habits Early
Keep in mind that teething also marks the beginning of establishing your child’s oral healthcare routine. Before teeth appear, you can gently clean their gums using a soft, damp cloth. Once that first tooth pops up, you should start brushing twice daily with a soft-bristled, age-appropriate toothbrush and a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste.
Set Up Your Child’s First Dental Visit Today
Making sure your baby has safe options for teething relief doesn’t need to be complicated. Employing a few gentle strategies can make this vital and exciting stage more comfortable and set you on a path to establishing healthy oral hygiene habits to protect your baby’s growing smile.
