The Baby Teething Process

The teething process can be a difficult period for both the baby and the parents.
The process starts at different ages depending on each baby but usually by age
of 3 most infants have their primary teeth in place. If by one



year your baby still has not got his first tooth it would be wise to see your
doctor and dentist.

There are 20 primary or "baby" teeth that every child has during
their lifetime, with ten in the upper jaw and ten in the lower. Usually, the
appearance of baby teeth is as follows: the upper and lower incisors come first,
then the upper lateral incisors come in a few months later, followed shortly
thereafter with the bottom lateral incisors. The top and bottom molars are the
next set to come through, usually right around 18 months. The cuspids, or eyeteeth,
usually follow soon after the molars. At approximately two, to two and a half
years, the second set of molars will appear.

Usually there is no set order in which baby teeth appear - again this
depends on the individual baby. It is unusual for a child not to get all twenty
teeth.

Some babies can be born with a front tooth (this happens in about 1 in every
2000 cases). In this even it is wise to consult a paediatric dentist. This situation
can affect the breastfeeding process so a paediatric dentist should be consulted
as soon as possible, especially if you intend to breastfeed.

Here are the signs that your baby may be teething:

• Bulging gums - you'll be able to see the outline of the
teeth as they try and push through his gums.

• Nighttime crying and walking.

• More fuss than normal.

• "Clingy" behaviour.

• An increase in the amount of drooling seen.

• Chewing on fingers, teething rings, and other objects.

• Swollen, red, inflamed gums.

• Poor appetite.

• Interrupted sleep.

There is some debate about this, but it is now generally accepted that teething
will not cause fever, sleep issues or lower immunity to infection.

Teething is very painful - if you have ever bitten the inside of your
cheek you know how painful this can be - now imagine a baby that is used
to a soft smooth surface (gums) and suddenly she has a hard and sharp tooth
pushing through her swollen gums. Generally it's the first tooth that
will cause the most discomfort.

When babies are going through the teething process they sometimes bring their
hands to their mouths - this brings some relief when the gums have pressure
applied to them. You can gently massage your baby to reduce the discomfort of
teething - clean your fingers and rub the gums firmly - this may
be uncomfortable for your baby initially but she will get used to, and appreciate,
the massage the more you do it.

Give your baby something cool to chew on - this again provides relief
for a little time. Wet washcloths (you can soak this in apple juice if you wish)
that have been left in the freezer for 30 minutes or so - can be

About the Author

Author is the writer for many sites including Las
Vegas . and Baby Shower Help