Teething – Clinton, MA
Helping Relieve Your Baby’s Growing Pains
While it is very exciting to see those little pearly whites appearing in your baby’s smile, it’s not exactly a walk in the park. Teeth pushing through the gums can be quite uncomfortable, and at Simply Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we know just how hard that can be for both you and your little one. Teething, and the crying that comes with it, can often be one of the hardest aspects of raising an infant. Fortunately, our experience team is here and ready to help relieve your baby’s growing pains. Our Clinton pediatric dentist Dr. Myles Clancy has plenty of tips and tricks to help you and your little one get through this challenging time. To learn more, don’t hesitate to contact our office!
Why Choose Simply Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics For Teething Care?
- #1 Dr. Clancy Is a Diplomat of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry
- #2 Friendly & Compassionate Dental Team
- #3 Morning, Lunchtime, & Afternoon Appointments Available
What Is Teething?
If you love your baby’s gummy smile, it’s time to snap as many pictures as you can! Before you know it, their first baby teeth will begin to erupt and push through the gumline. When babies are born, all 20 of their primary teeth sit just below the gums. Between the ages of 6 and 12 months old, the first of these hidden baby teeth will begin to push through. As you may suspect, this process often causes some discomfort and irritability for the baby! This process is called teething. Typically, most children will have all their primary teeth in by the time they are 4 years old.
Signs a Baby Is Having Trouble Teething
Each baby experiences different symptoms when teething. A few of the most common signs to be on the lookout for include:
- Fussiness or irritability
- Lots of crying
- Difficulty sleeping through the night
- Not eating as much as before
- Drooling more than usual
- Rashes around the face
- Biting on their hands, teething toys, or other objects
- Pulling their ears
- Rubbing their cheeks
These are all normal symptoms of teething that can be addressed at home, or with the help of our pediatric dentist. However, if your little one is also experiencing any of the following while teething, it is best if you schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible:
- Temperature over 102 degrees Fahrenheit
- More than two bouts of diarrhea
- A severe cough or cold
- More than a few droplets of blood on the gums
When You Should Bring Your Teething Baby to Come See Us
Ideally, your little one’s first visit should occur by the time they turn one year old. Though your baby may seem too young to go to the dentist, this early checkup allows us to check for anything that may be concerning.
We’ll ask about their teething symptoms and take a closer look at their gums. If everything appears to be coming in normally and they are simply going through the teething stage, we will be happy to offer some useful tips and techniques to help your baby feel more comfortable as their new pearly whites push through. A few of these tips may include:
- Gently massage your baby’s gums with a clean finger
- Give your child a cold, wet washcloth or chilled rubber teething ring to chew on
- Be diligent about wiping away excess drool