What To Expect When Your Child's Teeth Come In

If you’re a new parent and your child is approaching about a year of age, chances are that their first baby teeth are going to start coming in very soon, if they haven’t already. Some children get their first tooth as young as 6 months, or even younger in rare cases!

Not sure what to expect during the process? The team at Buckwalter Dental Care wants to keep you informed about your little one’s dental health as they grow. In this guide, we’ll discuss everything you can expect when your child’s teeth come in and how you can take care of them properly to avoid any issues.

Common Signs And Symptoms Of Tooth Eruption

The most obvious sign of tooth eruption is… seeing a tooth come out of your child’s gums! This is the last stage of the process, though, so even before the tooth emerges, you may notice a few signs and symptoms. These include:

• Increased irritability
• Drooling
• Difficulty sleeping
• Loss of appetite, refusal to feed
• Swelling in the gum tissue
• Rubbing of the eyes, cheeks or ears
• Urge to chew on solid items
  

Tips For Relieving Your Child’s Pain And Discomfort

The process of teething can be quite uncomfortable for your little one. A few common ways to relieve their pain and discomfort include:

• Rubbing your baby’s gums with a clean finger or washcloth. The pressure tends to help reduce the feelings of pain or discomfort
• Cooling your baby’s gums with a chilled teething ring, spoon, or washcloth
• Allowing your child to gnaw on hard foods like a cucumber or carrot, if they are eating solid food
• Providing your child with children’s Tylenol, Motrin or another pain reliever
  

The pain of teething is normal and will subside as the tooth emerges, so take a few of these steps to provide your child with relief until their baby tooth has erupted.

How Long Does Teething Last? Understanding The Process

The process usually begins at around 6-12 months of age, but it can start earlier or later. Then, all 20 baby teeth will begin to emerge, usually beginning with the front teeth. It’s normal for about one tooth to erupt each month, so most kids will be finished teething once they're between 2-3 years of age. 

How Should I Care For My Child’s New Teeth Once They Emerge? 

Even before your child’s teeth come in, you should use a clean washcloth to clean their gums and mouth after they feed. Once the teeth do come in, use a small, child-sized toothbrush to clean each individual tooth with a grain of rice-sized blob of toothpaste. 

It’s also important to schedule an appointment with Dr. Darrah at Buckwalter Dental Care as soon as your child’s first tooth erupts. During this appointment, he can answer any questions you may have about the teething process and ensure that your child’s oral development is on the right track. We can also provide pediatric care for your child for years after!

Contact Us Now For Pediatric Dental Care In Bluffton! 

At our family dental office, we treat patients of all ages. If your child has recently started teething, this is the perfect time for their first visit. Contact us now at (843) 815-3232 to schedule a consultation or come by our office at 31 Innovation Dr, #2, Bluffton, SC 29910 to get started. We hope to see you and your little one soon!