The appearance of the first teeth (milk teeth) is an important stage in the baby's growth and development process. When the first teeth appear, the baby will feel uncomfortable, fussy, and often cry for no apparent reason.
The timing of the appearance of the baby's first teeth can vary. However, baby teeth usually appear first when the baby is 6-8 months old. The growth of milk teeth generally lasts until the age of 3 years. At that age, the number of milk teeth is usually complete, amounting to 20.
Signs of the appearance of milk teeth in children
The process of growth of the baby's first teeth is known as teethingsyndrome. When the baby teeth start to grow, the baby will show some signs that usually last about 8 days. Signs of a baby's first teeth appearing include:
1. Encouragement for bite
In this phase, Babies always want to bite the objects around them. This happens because the baby feels pain in his gums. He needed something to bite on to ease the pain.
2. It's hard to eat
The growth of milk teeth will cause the gums to tear so that it hurts, and eating food will make the teeth and gums hurt even more. This is the reason babies find it difficult to eat when teething.
3. The amount of saliva increases
Irritation of the gums when the first teeth grow makes the production of saliva increase, so the baby becomes pee. now, when the little one often pee because her first tooth is about to grow, Mother must be diligent in cleaning the saliva that drips from her mouth, so as not to cause irritation or skin rashes around the mouth.
4. Crying and disturbed sleep
The pain of teething can make the baby feel uncomfortable, so he becomes fussy and cries. The pain can also cause sleep disturbances.
5. Fever, diarrhea, runny nose, and cough
Many parents think that teething can cause the baby to have a fever, diarrhea, runny nose, or cough. According to research, fever, runny nose, and colds arise not because of teething, but because of the infection.
In addition to fever, babies can also have a cough due to increased production of saliva in their mouth, and diarrhea because they often bite objects that are not hygienic.
Handling the Symptoms of the Appearance of Baby's First Teeth
Mother doesn't need to worry if your little one is fussy, has a fever, or often pee, because it is a natural thing. To relieve the symptoms of teething that your little one feels when their first teeth appear, you can do the following:
Consult a doctor
The doctor will give medicine, for example teething gel which contain benzocaine, lidocaine, or choline salicylate to reduce pain. This gel must be used with caution according to the doctor's instructions because of the risk of causing side effects in the form of blood disorders (methemoglobinemia).
Give teething ring
Teething ring is a tool made of rubber. This tool is used by being bitten by the baby to stimulate the growth of his teeth. Teething ring many are sold in pharmacies or baby supply stores with cute models and attractive colors for children.
Provide vegetables and fruit
To reduce pain in your little one's gums, you can give vegetables, fruits, or other foods with a slightly hard texture, such as carrots, cucumbers, apples, and biscuits. Pressure on the gums when the baby bites the food can reduce irritation in the gums.
In addition to doing the methods above, Mother must also maintain the cleanliness of the Little One's mouth and the cleanliness of the objects he puts in his mouth to be bitten. And remember, don't put dangerous objects near your little one, for example objects that pose a risk of choking.
Signs of the appearance of the baby's first teeth will usually subside by itself after the baby teeth appear. If these symptoms do not go away or get worse, you should immediately check your little one to the dentist.
Written by:
drg. Robbykha Rosalien, M.Sc(Dentist)