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Have you ever wondered which teeth are most painful for babies? While most parents eagerly look forward to watching their babies with fully-grown teeth smiling like a beam of sunshine, there’s nothing more nerve-wracking than watching an infant develop teeth.
The teething phase is a painful one for babies and includes a lot of discomforts. And although they’ll experience relief eventually, there are ways to curb pain and provide immediate relief. Let’s look at how you can care for your little munchkin and understand the know-how of baby teeth, the order in which they grow, causes for the pain, and some remedies to help avoid them!
Ever thought of which teeth are most painful and why?
Well, there’s no certainty as to which teeth may cause the most pain for a baby. It depends on the situation and the child itself. But in comparison to others, the growth of molars tends to be more painful because they’re larger than the other teeth.
Most commonly, the growth of the first tooth or two is painful for children. And since it is a whole new process in a child’s overall development, the unfamiliarity factor makes the sensation of the teeth formation uncomfortable. But once the toddler adapts to the teeth coming in, the pain is considerably less as they try to get prone to this change.
Interesting fact: the first teeth out in babies are usually the two in the bottom front part of the mouth.
Order Of Baby Teeth
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The order in which the teeth arrive vary among kids. But the regular standard of time for the first set of teeth, famously called the milk teeth or baby teeth start appearing between the ages of six months to two and a half years (1).
Babies develop two central incisors first, followed by the central and lateral incisors, molars, and then the canines. The second set of molars arrive around the age of two, and the children have a whole of 20 milk teeth by the time they turn three. Keep in mind; this may differ based on children.
Teething Symptoms In Babies
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Here are the tell-tale signs for when your baby’s new teeth are set to appear. And once you notice the symptoms, prepare to look after your baby’s new teeth right away.
1. Irritability
2. Drooling
3. Sore or tender gums
4. Biting and Gnawing
5. Fever
6. Diarrhea
You can see the effects of teething even before any teeth appear. Toddlers often get puffy or red gums, have a low appetite, and are extra irritable. And sometimes, they drool more or develop a fever. You can also start recognizing if your baby has reached the teething stage by the way they comfort themselves. Their hand-in-mouth movement increases — as they put their finger(s) in the mouth to apply some pressure on the gums and seek relief from the pain (2).
Remedies For Pain Relief From Teething
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One way to provide relief to your kid is to massage their gums during the teething phase. You can use your fingers or a washcloth but make sure they’re clean. A cold and wet washcloth will help soothe your baby’s gums and give them more comfort. It will also reduce inflammation in teeth gums. While children often feel annoyed due to the new sensation, they’ll give in to the practice once they start feeling better.
Give babies something to nibble on. Handing babies something cool to chew on is a classic way to help them seek relief. Teething rings work out great too, and you can keep them in the refrigerator for the added cooling effect. Don’t worry about ordering them in particular or finding the right one; you can also use other hard objects as chew toys of sorts. Just make sure to disinfect them and map out the size so that your little one doesn’t choke on them (3).
Sometimes, teething causes irritability and prevents children from falling asleep. In this case, you can consult your pediatrician and see if they recommend any medicine to reduce the pain. Do not supply any medication to your child without checking with a medical professional as the dosage and the meds should be child-friendly. It’s also advised to see to it that your baby develops their teeth in a normal manner. Schedule check-ups with a pediatric dentist to make sure there are no complications and your child is healthy.
In times like these, losing your calm is natural! But focus on how to reduce your baby’s pain caused due to teething and let go of other worries. Shower them with love, affection, and patience. Your efforts to keep them calm is what matters most.
