Children ’s Health Teething can be extremely painful for some children whilst barely noticeable among others. How to Deal with Infant Teething Teething often causes mild pain, drooling and different mouthing behaviours, and often fussiness and sleep disturbance. The soreness that babies experience is a result of gum swelling, which usually occurs within three to five days prior to the tooth erupting. During the process, crying, sleeplessness and restlessness are also common, and sometimes, albeit rarely, the area around the erupting tooth can fill with fluid and cause extreme gum sensitivity. It is usually quite evident when a child is experiencing teething. Often a child will begin chewing on fingers (or the fingers of others), toys or different objects to relieve the pressure building around the erupting teeth. Children may also refuse food and drink, or certain foods that exacerbate the pain, which is then deemed as fussiness. Pulling on the ears can also signify teething pain as an attempt to elevate head pain, or irritation around mouth due to excessive drooling. It is important to remember that teething is a transient period and that pain and discomfort are normal, and don’t usually warrant medical or special treatment. There are a number of low-cost, highly effective methods to soothe the process that parents can adopt to help their child’s toothy troubles. Remedies • Gentle massages on sore gums with clean fingers or a wet, soft cloth to relieve the pressure around erupting teeth. If you are going to use a bib or baby blanket, it is important to ensure the cleanliness of these objects if they are going to be carried and left around the house. • Chilled teething rings or toys to reduce inflammation and discomfort. Only purchase products that are BPA-free and avoid all products that have disononyl phthalate, a chemical that can cause systemic (liver and kidney) toxicity in young children. • Unsweetened teething rusks or sugar-free teething biscuits. • Cleaning to drool around the mouth to avoid skin irritation. Applying Vaseline in the area can protect against this irritation. Beginning To Brush They’re only small, but keeping baby teeth clean and healthy is as important as doing so for our adult teeth. Healthy, strong baby teeth are essential for chewing food, speech development and reserving places in the gums for adult teeth. Although is seems early, it is wise to visit a dentist when the first teeth begin showing, as this is a good opportunity to discuss teething expectations, children’s oral hygiene and fluoride queries, as well as potentially catch any early dental problems such as cavity. It is a good suggestion to visit the dentist within the first and second birthday. Start by cleaning your child’s teeth at least once or twice a day as soon as they begin to appear. It might be easier initially to use a wet, slightly rough piece of material wrapped around your finger. As the child grows, the more capable they become in brushing on their own teeth. In starting brushing early, you are also accustoming your child to the teeth-cleaning routine, which can be a nightmare for some parents in the later years! Be careful in the first lessons of teeth cleaning, as the gums around the erupting teeth are quite tender. For this reason it is important to select the correct toothbrush for your child’s age (check on the packaging) with soft bristles and a small head. Losing Teeth Having wobbly teeth is an exciting but often disconcerting experience for kids, occurring around six years of age, generally earlier in girls than boys, and is something that should be handled with sensitivity and optimism by parents. • Assure your child that losing baby teeth is a natural occurrence, explaining that the old teeth will be replaced by bigger, stronger ones. • Apply cold compresses to the area to relive loose tooth pain, or refer to your GP or dentist for the appropriate medication for pain relief. • Have fun with the tooth fairy! As a longstanding tradition, the tooth fairy mythology has remedied a lot of children’s fears with a gold coin hidden under the pillow. Adult Teeth Concerns The first adult teeth will begin to emerge around six years of age, and the process usually ends with 32 adult teeth around the age of 25. In the younger years, the dental enamel of new permanent teeth is not yet fully mineralised, making them highly susceptible to acid and bacteria. This makes good oral hygiene and sufficient levels of calcium and fluoride pivotal to a lifetime of healthy teeth, starting at brushing them twice a day with regular flossing. Some adult teeth concerns among children include thumb sucking and grinding, which you should discuss with your GP or dentist, and tooth injury. Tooth injury is especially problematic in young children with developing teeth and jaws. Make sure your child who plays contact sports wear a professionally-fitted mouth guard. Does Your Child Need Braces? Crooked, overlapping, overcrowded teeth, and over or under-bites are all common reasons for braces. Not only are teeth often central to adult confidence and speech, but also their correct positioning will avoid associated dental problems such as tooth decay and jaw problems. It is recommended that you take your child to an orthodontic visit as early as the age of seven, as this is a good time to evaluate the growth trajectory of young teeth and discern whether any treatment will be needed. The earlier this knowledge is, the better in most cases, as braces can constitute a significant cost for families, especially if sprung upon them unexpectedly! Visiting the orthodontist early will also help address teeth issues such as crowded or gappy teeth, which may require other orthodontic treatments. pm pindaramagazine.com.au Pindara Magazine 53
Pindara Private Hospital Magazine - Issue Three
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