Teething can be a challenging time for baby and parents alike. Fortunately, this phase of your child’s life won’t last forever—but in the meantime, what can you do to help your baby be more comfortable?

Freeze a Wet Washcloth

Cold objects will help numb your child’s gums and alleviate the pain and swelling that can come with teething. You can wet a washcloth and place it in the freezer before allowing your baby to chew on it. Of course, you should always supervise your child with any toy or  object.

Teething necklaces and bracelets aren’t recommended as the materials that are used for these items can cause children to choke [1]. Regardless of what teething toy you choose for your baby, supervision is always important.

Invest in a Rubber Teething Ring

Many babies find relief from teething pain by chewing on a solid rubber teething ring. There’s no need to chill or freeze these rings as the pressure from chewing on the toy will help your child’s mouth feel better.

Freezing the teething ring can make it too hard for baby’s mouth and have the potential to cause additional discomfort.

In addition, the American Dental Association recommends avoiding teething rings that are filled with liquid, as your child could puncture them and either choke or swallow the liquid inside [2].

Try a Gum Massage

This home remedy is easy and doesn’t require any toys or a washcloth, although you may choose to use a clean piece of gauze.

Try giving your baby a gum massage for their teething pain. The pressure from the massage can help alleviate discomfort from teething. Just be sure your fingers are clean before putting them in your child’s mouth!

A gum massage can be done virtually anywhere and at a moment’s notice in the event that your little one is inconsolable on a trip out or in a place where a teething ring isn’t available or the frozen washcloth isn’t ready yet.

Use Caution with OTC Medications

Although it may be tempting to search for a quick-fix for your baby’s teething pain, The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t advise immediately reaching for over-the-counter (OTC) medications or homeopathic remedies as they can be harmful to your child [3].

In the event that none of the above remedies works for your child, you can follow up with your baby’s dentist or pediatrician regarding the use of medication or topical ointments to help your baby feel better.

Soothing Baby’s Teething Pain

It can be difficult to watch your little on go through the discomfort of teething. However, don’t fret—your baby will be done teething soon enough and won’t remember teething or the discomfort it can cause.

Give these home remedies a try to soothe your baby’s teething pain and keep everyone in your house happy during the teething process!

Sources:
1. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/teething-tooth-care/Pages/Teething-Pain.aspx
2. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/t/teething
3. https://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm385817.htm

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Wiggling the Tooth

To wiggle that tooth out, use a piece of clean gauze and wrap it around your child’s tooth. Gently wiggle it back and forth. You never want to force a tooth to come out. If the tooth doesn’t feel very loose, leave it alone. If, however, the tooth is very loose and practically hanging there, could can employ the wiggle method until the tooth comes out. You may try twisting a bit to encourage it. Using gauze will help you get a proper grip on the tooth and lessen the chances of a slip!

Eating Crunchy Foods

Crunchy foods are not only great for getting loose teeth to come out, they’re also great for your smile! Foods such as apples, carrots, and celery can actually act as little scrubbers on the teeth and remove plaque and bacteria. These are excellent snacks to keep on hand or to pack in school lunches. If your child has a loose tooth, you can simply encourage them to crunch into an apple or eat some carrots and celery. The chewing action combined with the crunchy, firm nature of these foods can help encourage the loose tooth to come right out!

Employ the Help of Floss

Flossing should be a regular part of your child’s oral care routine, as this important step can remove unseen plaque, food particles, and bacteria. Floss is an excellent tool for when you’re trying to get a stubborn baby tooth to come out as well. You can wrap the floss around the tooth just like you would during normal flossing. Gently pull on the floss near the crown of the tooth and see if the tooth is ready to make its exit!

Leave It Alone

It’s never a good idea to pull a baby tooth before it’s ready and this is never advised. Your child’s set of adult teeth are working their way in at their own pace. Removing the tooth too soon could impact the growth of the adult tooth, or cause unnecessary bleeding and pain for your child.

On the contrary, if the new tooth is clearly coming in and the old one clearly isn’t coming out, it could be time to see the dentist. Regular checkups are a vital part of any child’s oral care. Visit your dentist to ask how your child is doing with their tooth development. Your dentist can advise you what’s normal and even assist with pulling out that tooth!

Your child’s tooth will let you know when it’s ready to come out. Encourage your child to wiggle the tooth on their own until it’s ready. If your child needs assistance, employ one of these dentist-approved ways to remove your child’s tooth!

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Dental sealants are applied over your teeth to effectively “seal” out food and bacteria. Particularly on the back molars, food and bacteria get trapped within the grooves of our teeth. Some of these grooves are deep and can’t be properly cleaned with just brushing and flossing. When you have dental sealants, your tooth is essentially protected with the clear and invisible sealant barrier from food and bacteria that could lead to tooth decay such as cavities!

Prevent Cavities

The best time to apply dental sealants is when your molars are relatively new in your mouth and haven’t yet had the chance to be affected by tooth decay—this would be between the ages of 6 and 12 when the first and second molars come in. Even if you haven’t had dental sealants as a child, you can still get them as an adult! If your mouth is healthy, you likely qualify for dental sealants. The procedure is simple and your teeth can benefit from dental sealants for years to come!

Protect Existing Teeth

You’re still a candidate for dental sealants even if some of your molars already have cavities. This is because the sealants can prevent any more damage from happening to your teeth. If you have a small cavity or existing decay, your dentist will fix the problem before sealing your tooth with the dental sealant material. Dental sealants can help protect your teeth for up to 10 years! They’re great for people who experience frequent cavities and have a higher risk for tooth decay than most people.

Best Practices with Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are pretty sturdy, but there are a few things you can do to protect your teeth and extend the life of your dental sealants. These healthy habits include:

 Regular brushing and flossing. That’s right, sealants don’t mean you can just stop taking care of your teeth! Dental sealants are meant to be supplemental protection rather than a replacement for regular care.

 Use your teeth properly. Avoid chewing on things like ice or trying to open packaging with your teeth. This can not only damage your teeth, but your dental sealants as well!

 Get regular checkups. Your dentist can assess your dental sealants at each checkup to see how they’re holding up and whether or not you need more sealant material to help protect your teeth.

Dental sealants can be a great choice for kids as well as adults who are more prone to cavities and have trouble keeping tooth decay away. You can help supplement brushing and flossing and protect your teeth by asking your dentist about dental sealants!

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Feeling some nervousness before going to the dentist is normal for both kids and adults, but there are things you can do to help your child overcome their dental anxiety!

Start Early

The American Dental Association recommends that children be seen on or around the time that their first tooth comes in. This is around age six months old! This is a great time to get your child used to the dentist and be familiar with the surroundings and environment of the dentist office. As your child grows up and receives regular checkups, he or she will become familiar with the dentist—the earlier you can start taking your child to the dentist, the less anxiety he or she will experience.

Leave It to the Experts

When talking to your child about the dentist, never tell your child that pain will be involved or insinuate that it will hurt. Leave the explaining of the procedures that will be done to the experts. Dentists who see children know how to communicate with them on an age-appropriate level about what will happen and the tools that are used in the dentist’s office. All you need to tell your child is that the dentist and the staff will be nice and gentle with their teeth and gums!

Relax!

Children are often much more perceptive than we give them credit for and can sense your tension. If you’re worried or anxious about taking them to the dentist, then they will be worried and anxious as well. Instead, remain calm and know that your child will be seen by professionals who are experts at communicating with children and cleaning their teeth. Keep your stress and tension in check before you reassure your child. Relax!

Be Understanding

It’s normal for children to experience some anxiety, so be understanding. Let your child know that it’s alright to feel anxious and scared. Talk with them about what their fears are and do your best to let them know that the dentists will be accommodating and caring. The more understanding you are about your child’s dental anxiety, the less anxious they’ll feel!

Choosing the Right Dentist

It’s important to choose a dentist who is experienced in treating children and who has a child-friendly practice. Many dentists offer special sunglasses, movie choices, and toys to help children feel more at home and relaxed in the practice. Look in your area and visit the office with your child to see how you both like it.

Your child doesn’t have to feel anxious about seeing the dentist— by following these tips, you can help your child to overcome their dental anxiety. Remember that the earlier they see the dentist the better, and always let your dentist explain the procedures. Reassure your child, but relax yourself! And pick a dentist that makes you both feel right at home.

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Tooth Decay Is Prevalent Among Children

Dentists today are seeing an increase in tooth decay among children—even among infants and toddlers. Many times the symptoms of tooth decay aren’t apparent until it’s too late. If your child needs to have a baby tooth pulled before they’re ready to lose that tooth, this could affect how his or her permanent teeth come in.

When you get regular checkups with your dentist, you can help your child to prevent tooth decay as well as notice the signs before it becomes widespread. Dentists also encourage healthy oral habits among children, such as brushing and flossing in addition to not eating too many sweets!

Does Your Child Need Braces?

Orthodontic work might be closer in your child’s future than you think. Many children need two-phase orthodontic treatment, in which the first set of braces is applied while your child still has most of his or her baby teeth. A second set of braces is applied when your child is older to finalize the treatment.

Your dentist can take x-rays of your child’s teeth and determine if they need to see an orthodontist. Often problems such as bites, overcrowding, and crooked teeth can be fixed faster and easier if addressed early in the child’s life, especially if the problem is complex. Braces can also help your child’s teeth to be straight and even, therefore boosting their self-confidence!

Wisdom Teeth Impaction

As your child grows, his or her wisdom teeth will begin to develop and push through their gums. This typically happens around age 17, but could happen much earlier for some children. Girls tend to get their wisdom teeth in before boys, so getting checkups is crucial to see where your child’s wisdom teeth are at.

If your child has had orthodontic corrective work, wisdom teeth can push the teeth into incorrect positions if there’s not enough room for them to come through. This is also called wisdom teeth impaction. When wisdom teeth are impacted, they may also be coming in at odd angles or not even fully come through at all. Wisdom teeth impaction almost always require that they be removed before they cause any damage.

Dentists do more than just clean your children’s teeth during checkups. They examine your child’s mouth for signs of tooth decay or gum disease. They can spot any corrective orthodontic treatment needed early. They can also see if your child’s wisdom teeth are coming in and if they’ll need to be removed. Schedule a checkup for your child at the dentist office—great smiles start with the best care!

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Although every child is different in regards to losing baby teeth and getting their adult teeth in, the American Association of Orthodontists advises that your child be seen by an orthodontist around age 7. Although not every child will need braces this early (and some may not need braces at all), getting your child evaluated around this age allows your orthodontist to spot any big problems before your child’s mouth has time to mature and avoid more extensive treatment later.

Am I Too Old for Braces?

Good news—you’re never too old for braces! Although people typically have braces as children or teens, more and more adults are seeking orthodontic treatment that they didn’t or couldn’t have as a child. As long as your mouth is healthy, orthodontic treatment is an option for you regardless of your age. It’s never too late to seek a consultation!

Should I Consider Invisalign?

Invisalign is a clear aligner that can be removed and is custom-fit to your smile. You’ll need to talk with your orthodontist about whether or not you’re a candidate for Invisalign. Invisalign could be a good choice for you if you’re an adult who’s worried about your appearance with braces or not being able to eat some of your favorite foods. However, if you have complicated dental issues and want your orthodontic treatment to be as short as possible, traditional braces may be the better option!

Do Braces Hurt?

Like all new things, braces take some time to get used to. Your teeth may feel sore or mildly uncomfortable for a few days after you first get your braces or after your adjustments. Braces have come a long way since their first introduction in the 18 th century, and technology allows your orthodontist to keep your treatment as comfortable as possible. Be patient with your braces and ask your orthodontist what you can do to minimize any discomfort you’re feeling.

How Long Will My Child Need to Have Braces?

Every child is different! Your child may only need braces for a few months, others for a few years. It all depends on the severity of the problems and the earlier you seek treatment, the better!

What Problems Do Braces Correct?

Braces can correct a number of problems, including straightening crooked teeth, correcting bite problems, and fixing jaw issues. All of these could lead to bigger oral health problems later on—crooked teeth lead to tight spaces where bacteria and plaque form, leading to decay; bite problems and jaw problems lead to improper wearing of teeth and could even lead to TMJ.

Schedule a consultation with an orthodontist if you’re considering treatment for yourself or for your child. Your orthodontist can answer any more questions you may have and talk with you about your options for treatment, if needed!

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