7 Tips for Soothing Your Teething Baby

Please note: As many teething solutions involve letting the baby chew on something, use caution. Do not use anything that your baby could choke on. Always supervise your baby.

When does teething begin?

A baby usually starts teething at around 6 months…but it could be anytime between 3 and 12 months. Read more about baby teeth.

What are the signs that a baby is teething?

When babies are teething, they will often become fussier and frustrated because of the discomfort and swelling in their gums before the teeth come through. On average, symptoms will start approximately 3 to 5 days before a tooth starts to show. In most cases, they will be fine once the tooth breaks the skin. Some babies are fortunate enough to not be affected by teething.

How can you relieve their pain?

As a parent or caregiver, it can be really hard to know that a baby is uncomfortable, but hang in there! There are some things you can do to help them feel better:

(1) You can buy them a numbing gel for their gums such as Baby Orajel.

(2) Frozen fruit – put fruit in a mesh feeder and place it in the freezer. The coldness will help numb their gums and the sweet juice will be pleasant for their taste buds.

(3) Brew a cup of chamomile tea – cool it, and soak a washcloth in it for your baby to suck on. Alternatively, you can also freeze the cloth. It will soothe their gums, plus the calming affect of the tea can help relax them.

(4) Buy clove oil at a health store – place only 1 drop of clove oil into 1 to 2 tablespoons of another type of oil such as almond or coconut oil and lightly massage their gums with it. IMPORTANT: Clove oil is very strong, so be sure to test it on yourself first because your baby will be extra sensitive to it.

(5) Use teething rings – ideally organic, teething rings are strong and durable and can be used safely by babies to chew on.

(6) Use a large carrot – chill in the fridge (not freezer).

(7) Cold applesauce – as well as a tasty treat, it will feel good covering your baby’s gums.

We love kids at Healthy Smiles Family Dentistry! Call us for more information about kids dentistry.