While none of us are likely to remember our own experiences, the time of teething in babies is one of the most troublesome phases for, not only the child, but the parents as well. Since there is no set pattern on when the process will begin as well as how fast it will proceed and also how much pain it may cause, teething can be a very stressful time. However, this is not always the case as some children may not experience any pain while their teeth are cutting through their gums. Studies have shown that the teething process seems to follow a hereditary pattern – meaning that if the parents teethed early or late, the child is most probably going to follow the same path. On an average, the process will usually start around the time the child reaches the age of 7 months, but is also known to come as early as 3 months. The initial set of teeth consists of twenty teeth and is known as the primary or ‘milk’ teeth. Most children will develop their full set of primary teeth around the time they are 2 or 3 years old. These teeth will usually be replaced by another set of permanent teeth by the time the child reaches the age of 12.
Some of the more common symptoms to look out for when you child starts teething include a heightened state of irritability, drooling, coughing, a distinct rash developing on the chin as well as diarrhea. Some parents are also said to have noticed the development of a fever during this phase, although most physicians seem to disagree on this being a symptom. As a result of the increased levels of irritation, the child is unlikely to get enough sleep, thereby making them even more irritable.
During the teething process, you child is probably going to crave for something that he or she can chew on whenever the gums start acting up. As a result, buying a teething ring from any local supermarket will go a long way into helping the infant deal with the changes in his or her body. Teething rings are small objects that are made of soft plastic and are filled with liquid – making them soft and smooth. Refrigerating the ring before you give it to your child will help numb the pain. You could also try putting a clean, wet dishcloth in the refrigerator and allow it to get cold. Once done, give it to your child and allow it to chew on the towel. This will help ease any inflamed gums and reduce any irritation that may be present.