Childhood carries with it numerous challenges that the parent must counter, one of them being tooth pain.
Tooth pain can be extremely bothersome for adults, so it is quite a challenge when it happens to children. If your little one has never experienced tooth pain, you will find our brief coverage of tooth development stages helpful.
Natural healing of the tooth may be an excellent option, but expect your pediatric dentist to recommend the appropriate solution for your child.
Teething Stage
At about six months, most children start getting their first teeth, to the joy of the parents. Unfortunately, this painful process can be painful and ridden with fever and diarrhea. Incessant drooling and distress are also rampant in this age group.
Teeth usually emerge in pairs, both at the bottom and top. The cries and fussiness in this stage are due to the discomfort and pain, which you can manage in different ways. You want to soothe the baby as much as you can, but if this does not work try putting a spoon or a refrigerated ring into the mouth.
Sometimes, chewing on some teething cracker or any other safe item can help. Pediatric dentists also recommend a light massage on the gum, as long as the hands are clean.
Two to Five Years
Even if teething is complete, you are not done yet. You cannot relax because molars sprout from the second year. The molars (eight in total) that split the gums during this time can cause havoc and make teething appear like a joke. You can tell the time has come from the irritability that sets in. Even feeding and sleeping become troublesome. What can you do? For short-lived pain relief, apply some teething gel on the gum.
Try cool stuff for chewing, for instance, a raw carrot. If the experience becomes unbearable, consider taking the kid to a pediatric dentist for further guidance. The most important point to remember is that at two years or so, many things could cause pain to the child: infections, flu, and so forth. If the reaction is less interested in chewing on stuff, getting medical attention is the best step.
Emergence of Adult Teeth
Pain will also occur when the permanent or adult teeth start to emerge at around six years. While the kid is replacing front teeth with permanent ones, do not forget that large molars are also forming at the back.
The good thing is that this stage of tooth development occurs when the child is learning how to be independent. You still need to guide the kid how to brush and floss properly. Massaging the sore areas of the gum will still work, but you might need to use a pain reliever, such as Paracetamol. Proper oral care should be encouraged from now on, as natural tooth replacement is no longer possible.
Relieving tooth pain in a kid can help them enjoy the day and have a peaceful night. Remember to schedule an appointment with a pediatric dentist regularly to make sure that teething is as painless as possible.
