How can I help relieve my baby's teething pain?
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American Dental Association answered:When teething, some babies may have sore or tender gums. Gently rubbing your child's gums with a clean finger, a small, cool spoon or a wet gauze pad can be soothing. You can also give the baby a clean teething ring to chew on. If your child is still cranky and uncomfortable, consult your dentist or physician.When teething, some babies may have sore or tender gums. Gently rubbing your child's gums with a clean finger, a small, cool spoon or a wet gauze pad can be soothing. You can also give the baby a clean teething ring to chew on. If your child... More -
Dr. Michael Roizen answered:When your child starts cutting teeth at about six months, you can help soothe some of the pain in her mouth with a teething ring. (A frozen bagel or wash cloth works equally well.) For severe discomfort, a dose of the anti-inflammatory pain reliever children's ibuprofen may be necessary. We don't recommend using topical products (ones you apply to the skin and other tissue) containing the local anesthetic benzocaine (for example, Orajel) because of the potential side effect methemoglobinemia, a rare life-threatening condition that impedes red blood cells' ability to deliver oxygen to the body. Children with this disorder (about 1 in 250) can literally turn blue (cyanosis) due to oxygen deficiency.
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When your child starts cutting teeth at about six months, you can help soothe some of the pain in her mouth with a teething ring. (A frozen bagel or wash cloth works equally well.) For severe discomfort, a dose of the anti-inflammatory pain... More -
Dr. De Vizio of Colgate answered:Make sure whatever teething aids you provide are clean and safe: it should be too big to swallow and firm, but yielding to pressure. Partially-frozen teething aids provide some relief, but avoid liquid-based aids if you can, as they can break. You can also use your own fingers as teething aids, as long as they are clean. Teething toddlers drool more than usual, and this extra drool should be wiped regularly to keep rashes from forming. You may also notice a very slight fever, but that is normal. If your child seems to be in excessive pain during teething, ask your pediatrician or dentist if you should administer a pain reliever.Make sure whatever teething aids you provide are clean and safe: it should be too big to swallow and firm, but yielding to pressure. Partially-frozen teething aids provide some relief, but avoid liquid-based aids if you can, as they can break.... More -
Dr. Dante Gonzales answered:A baby's first tooth can start to erupt through the gums at 4 months of age. In order to help reduce the pain associated with teething there are over the counter products like Orajel that may temporarily help reduce the pain from teething. Alternatively, if you did not want to use a medication for something that could last several days, you could let the baby gnaw on a frozen washcloth, teething ring, or frozen bagel. You could also rub an ice cube on the gums. There are also devices that will safely allow your baby to gnaw on an ice cube. The gnawing will also help stimulate blood flow in the area which in turn will help reduce the pain.A baby's first tooth can start to erupt through the gums at 4 months of age. In order to help reduce the pain associated with teething there are over the counter products like Orajel that may temporarily help reduce the pain from teething.... More -
Dr. Mitzi D. Conover of Intermountain Healthcare answered:You can give them something cold to suck on. Putting teething rings and rattles in the fridge so they're cold: That could feel really good on the gums. If it's really severe, you could try some acetaminophen as well. And just offering your child things that they can suck on and bite on is really helpful for them.You can give them something cold to suck on. Putting teething rings and rattles in the fridge so they're cold: That could feel really good on the gums. If it's really severe, you could try some acetaminophen as well. And just offering your... More -
Dr. Heath Cobb of Intermountain Healthcare answered:Teething is normal but can bother your baby. Here are some ideas to help your baby feel better until the teeth come in:
- Give baby a clean, cold, wet cloth to chew on. Or, rub baby's gums with the cloth.
- Offer a teething ring. Make sure the teething ring is made of hard rubber -- and that you keep it clean.
- Give acetaminophen (like baby Tylenol) if your doctor says it's okay. Do not give any medicine that contains aspirin -- it increases risk for a serious problem called Reye's syndrome.
Teething is normal but can bother your baby. Here are some ideas to help your baby feel better until the teeth come in: Give baby a clean, cold, wet cloth to chew on. Or, rub baby's gums with the cloth. Offer a teething ring. Make sure the... More -
Dr. Todd Welch answered:REMEDIES FOR TEETHING
Anything cold – here are a variety of cool favorites:
- Frozen teething rings
- Ice – Rub an ice cube along baby's gums.
- Frozen juice slushy or popsicle
- Cold spoons
- Frozen bagel or banana
- Frozen washcloth
Medications
- Acetaminophen or ibuprofen: These are both safe and effective pain relievers to help your baby, and you, get some sleep.
- Teething gels: There are various over-the-counter gels, pastes, or liquids that numb the gums. Pat the gums dry with a washcloth, then apply a small amount only on the area of the gums that is bulging. There are several drawbacks to these, so we suggest you only use them as a last resort: They taste terrible; They travel throughout the mouth in the saliva and can numb the tongue and lips; It is easy to use too much; Baby may swallow too much.
REMEDIES FOR TEETHING Anything cold – here are a variety of cool favorites: Frozen teething rings Ice – Rub an ice cube along baby's gums. Frozen juice slushy or popsicle Cold spoons Frozen bagel or banana Frozen washcloth Medications... More
