More on Teething

When to Start Caring for Your Baby's Teeth
It's a good idea to get in the habit of cleaning your baby's gums even before teeth emerge. To clean your baby's mouth:
1. Lay your baby in your lap with his or her head close to your chest.
2. Gently, but firmly, rub a clean and damp piece of gauze or washcloth along both the upper and lower gums.
3. Clean the gums at least two times a day – after breakfast and after the last feeding of the day. Even better – clean your baby's gums after every feeding.

Check out this tooth chart and learn when to expect your baby's teeth to appear.

What Are Symptoms of Teething?
Symptoms include:
* Increased irritability
* Placing objects or fingers in the mouth and biting down on them
* Increased saliva or drooling
* Loss of appetite or becoming choosy about foods
* Tender and swollen gums
* Rash on cheeks or redness in the area of the cheeks near the affected gums
* Restlessness
* Ear pulling, which may be a sign of teething or possibly an ear infection (make an appointment to have your child seen by your doctor or pediatrician)
Teething does not result in fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. If your child experiences these problems, contact your doctor.

What Can I Do to Ease Teething Pain?
^ Massage your child's gums with a clean finger or the back of a small cold spoon
^ Allow your child to bite down on a chilled (but never frozen) teething ring. A frozen teething ring can damage the gums
^ Try an over-the-counter teething ointment to numb the gums. Ask your dentist or doctor for some product recommendations.
^ Allow your child to suck on a cold, wet cloth
^ Teething biscuits or cookies and frozen bananas are not recommended. These objects promote tooth decay and may cause your child to choke.