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The arrival of your toddler's first tooth can be really exciting for every parent. Amid sleepless nights, inconsolable cries, diaper changes, and hustle-bustle to breastfeed your baby, every parent goes through the baby's wonderful world of teething. 

Baby teething is a magical milestone in your toddler's developing stage to present you with a fabulous smile. All parents are excited to spot their toddler's first teeth erupt from their gum line. However, the process is usually painful and makes the baby sick.

When Do Babies Usually Start Teething?

Teething usually occurs when the baby is around 6 months old. Parents should worry too much if their baby's teeth erupt differently. Here are some common signs of baby teething which may vary over several days or weeks.

• Disturbed sleep
• Swollen gums
• Drooling
• Slightly raised temperature
• Refusal to eat
• Biting or chewing hard things
• Always putting hands into the mouth

Seek medical assistance if your baby experiences unusual signs of teething like prolonged fussiness and high fever.

6 Tips for Comforting Your Teething Baby

Parents should realize every baby goes through a baby teething process that is always restless and quite miserable. As a parent, you should know of ways to ease your baby's distress while teething and ensure that your toddler is as comfortable as possible.

• Gently massage the gum
• Offer lots of hugs and cuddles
• Provide them clean teething toys
• Allow baby to chew on a chilled spoon to ease the discomfort
• Gently massage baby's foot and toes to enhance the comfort level
• Massage the gum with a cold wet washcloth to reduce soreness from baby teething

How Do I Care For My Toddler's Teeth?

Good dental hygiene should start when the first teeth erupt from the gumline. Brush their teeth with an infant toothbrush and rub their teeth and gums with a clean damp washcloth. Always ensure your baby uses a small amount of fluoride toothpaste to prevent tooth decay.

As soon as the baby's first teeth erupt from the gumline, make a regular visit to the dentist to examine if your child has plaque or cavities. Early dental visits for children are aimed at parent counseling, diet improvement counseling, and motivation sessions for maintaining good oral hygiene at an early stage.

If you have any concerns regarding your baby's teething, schedule an appointment for your child at Austgen Family Dental. We are located at 1405 W County Line Rd Suite A, Greenwood, IN 46142. Call us at (317) 885-6400 to book an appointment.