Other than a dimple in cute little chin, What more adorable than a toothless grin. Yes, it is true until the first tooth appears the pleasure of watching this tiny milky star is more than a dimple or toothless grin. Teeth are the protective doors of human health. They should be strong, straight and healthy. Teething is an important phase of human life; a journey from toothless mouth to mouthful teeth. It is a process in which infant’s first teeth, the “baby teeth”, come out. In fact it is a crucial time for both parents and babies. But you can make it less painful if you handle it tactfully.
Explaining the sequence of teeth eruption, a renowned dental surgeon says the bottom two middle teeth appear first, then top two middle teeth and after that the ones along the side and back sprout. They start as early as three months or as late as 12 months. “The first tooth usually appears between six to nine months and it can take at least three years to complete the set comprising of 20 teeth”. Consult the doctor if your baby has no teeth till the eighteenth month. Interestingly, though rare, some children are born with one or two teeth. Foundation of baby teeth actually starts during pregnancy. According to research, low or high amounts of calcium and fluoride taken during pregnancy causes dental problems in children.
Drooling (facial, nappy and body rashes), gum swelling or sensitivity, irritability, fussiness, biting behavior, refusal of food, sleeping problems and slightly high body temperature are signs of teething. Considering high fever and diarrhea as part of teething process is a common misconception.
A slight increase in temperature is normal during teething; but not more than 100 to 101 degrees Fahrenheit. Similarly, a little stomach upset can occur but not diarrhea. High fever or diarrhea may be because of some other infection, mostly herpes virus common during teething.
Sometimes babies refuse to eat because of swollen gums. Do not panic, it is normal. Give them soft, liquid or pureed food. It was said by grandmothers that mother’s hair fall during teething. This is just a myth. Dr. Farhat Jabeen, a senior gynecologist at Al-Shifa Hospital, Saudi Arabia says, “Hair fall during this time may be due to hormonal imbalance.”
Giving useful tips to care for baby teeth, most of renowned dentists stress that mothers should not let their little ones rub their gums with fingers. The gums should instead be massaged with a clean piece of cloth dipped in lukewarm water. It will lessen swelling and irritation. Big pieces of hard and frozen foods such as apples, carrots or bananas can also be given to ease the painful process (small chunks can cause chocking). Chewing is a good activity for gums and also strengthens muscles. Chewing mashed food wrapped in a clean thin cloth (malmal) greatly helps in teeth eruption. Teething rings, water filled teethers and pacifiers made of soft plastic also help breakdown gum tissues and promote the growth of teeth. Adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D are also useful. Different kinds of numbing and pain relieving gels are available for soothing gum pain. They can be used with the doctor’s recommendation. Some mothers apply antimony surma (kohl) on the gums for toothache. But this is lethal because of the high amount of lead in kohl. Therefore avoid it. According to latest research, it is recommended brushing as soon as the baby reaches the age of two and half or three. “Initially a mother can wipe gums with clean wet cloth after every feed. But later, always use soft round shaped baby brush and fluoride free toothpaste”. Canadian Dental Association (CDA) recommends that no fluoride supplements should be given to children under six years of age. Brushing should be done under mother’s supervision. They can playa role model and make it fun. Cover the brush with a protective cap after using it and change it every two to three months. Hang the brush upside down to drain the water from it. Germs and cavity causing bacteria will grow if the teeth are not cleaned properly. This will eventually damage the gums. Limit sugary and acidic foods to avoid dental issues later. Toddlers who sleep with a bottle of sugared milk or juice are prone to gum destruction as sugar remains in their mouth. Try to switch your baby from bottle to feeding cup before the age of one. And make sure they finish their milk before sleep. Milk teeth play a vital role in placing and positioning of permanent teeth as they protect the space of these subsequent teeth. Loss of space results in dental and speech problems. Children also have a habit of licking the empty spaces with sprouting teeth. The constant pressure applied by the tongue on the gums affects the structure and shape of teeth. “Avoid giving children sticky foods like chocolates or candies for maintaining good health of their teeth. Usually their particles get stuck between the teeth and if not cleaned properly cause tooth decay”, say dentists. In some cases mouth injury or decay can cause premature loss of milk teeth which results in the formation of crooked teeth. Late or early falling of teeth and incorrect position of bud also cause crooked teeth to develop. A child’s first dental visit should be made at six months of age or just after the first tooth erupts.
Teeth are important not only for eating but also for speech and confidence. They have a major cosmetic impression in one’s life by revealing a smile worth millions. So take special care of them.
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