Teething is nothing but
eruption of a baby’s teeth. Although you may
not be aware of, but your child’s tooth buds actually start
appearing by the fifth-sixth week of pregnancy and all the 20
primary teeth are present in the jawbone at the time of birth!
All of these will be sprouting in the next 2-2 ½ years,
usually
starting between the fourth and eighth month. Teething may become
very sore in certain cases and is normally accompanied by
inflammation of the surrounding gums and sometimes stomach upsets
too.
Teething
problems are usually more noticeable with the first two to four
teeth, but some children will have pain when their other teeth come
in, which can continue up to the age of three.
Remember, some babies sail through teething, but others
become fussy and irritable and have difficulty sleeping. But
whatever you try, the main aim is to give lots of cuddles, love and
patience during those difficult days when the first teeth emerge.
Teething is a biological process in which the bud like tooth
that was encased till now in a small sac in the child’s jawbone,
pushes for daylight and tries to erupt. This piercing eruption
through the gums causes significant inflammation, swelling and pain.
Mostly, the infants who react so badly during teething get adjusted
to it after the first 2-4 teeth have come out.
Many
parents are looking for natural alternatives to the over the counter
preparations available for teething discomfort as many of the
conventional medications include harsh painkillers and alcohol.
Fortunately there are a number of natural herbal and homeopathic
remedies containing all-natural baby-safe ingredients such as
Chamomilla, Passiflora and Calc Fluor.
Chamomilla is a well known homeopathic remedy that is often used to
soothe irritable and fussy children and it also helps to naturally
relieve pain. Calc. Fluor. is a tissue salt that helps with the
development of bones, teeth and skin, while Passiflora acts as a
natural pain reliever, thus helping to calm and soothe your teething
child.
·
Chamomilla (6C) is a well-known homeopathic remedy for
infant colic and teething. Chamomilla is useful for
relieving pain and soothing children who are
uncomfortable and irritable.
·
Calcium Phosphate (Calc. Phos.) is a biochemic tissue
salt which restores strength to the body and is useful
during times of growth and development. It is also
excellent for improving circulation, bones and teeth.
·
Calcium Fluoride (Calc Flour.) is another tissue salt
which is important for teeth, skin and bones. Calc.
Flour. is useful for teething pain and toothache and
will also address emotional symptoms. Although related,
it should not be associated with Fluoride often given to
children for strengthening teeth.
·
Passiflora is also called Passion Flower and is used as
a soothing and quieting herb. This ingredient will
relieve pain naturally and calm your teething child.
·
Matricaria recutita is a calming herb and will help to
reduce the irritability of teething conditions, thereby
reducing 'fussing' and crying.
As
teething usually comes at the time weaning (introducing new foods to
the child) starts too, there are a few diet related issues that also
soothe the aching gums.
·
Traditionally, rusks which are usually made of wheat
flour are given to infants. Although these highly
sweetened, and also salt containing, rusks may provoke
food intolerance; their solid nature helps in teething.
·
Raw apple or peeled carrot are wonderful teething aids
and nutritive too. They can also be wrapped in a
washable clean cloth to avoid messiness, although in any
case the child should not be left unattended in order to
avoid choking.
·
If a child is given buttermilk to drink daily, he
will have few teething problems and it will protect him
further from any dental diseases.
·
During teething period, give your child 2 teaspoon full
of grape juice daily. This shall help in early
teething. It will also make your child healthy. Honey
may be added to enhance the taste of grape juice.
·
You may also offer your baby a frozen peeled banana.
It will thaw quickly, and the cool fruit soothes the
gums. However, you should take away the banana when it
gets mushy (for children less than 6 months old).
·
Avoid giving habit forming sugary drinks as they hardly
provide any nutrients and also contribute to tooth
decay. Fructose, dextrose, sucrose, glucose are some of
the disguised names, under which sugar containing foods
are marketed.
·
Also, artificially sweetened foods should be avoided to
discourage sweet tooth. Anyway, your child requires
enough calories and hence natural sugar can be given is
decent amounts without resorting to artificial one.
·
In general, food additives must be avoided and only
fresh and home made food should be administered.
·
Pure drinking water is the best drink to quench your
child’s thirst. Give boiled water if diarrhea occurs.
Remember, all the above precautions take care of diarrhea too, albeit to a
certain extent only.
Although it is natural for parents to get concerned when
the child becomes so fussy and irritable, it is better
not to get irritated yourself. There isn’t much you can
do except for administering the said treatments and bide
time.
·
Take a soft, clean cloth and wrap around your
forefinger. Dip it in clean, cold water and massage your
child’s gumpads. This has many benefits like: the child
will like sucking on to it, it will soothe the aching
gums, it will make the gums healthier and stronger, it
will remove bacteria buildup on the gums and it will
make the child habitual of having something in his mouth
as it becomes imminent in future when he takes proper
food.
·
If your baby is cutting a first tooth, you can use a
chilled spoon to help ease the pain. Chill a spoon
in the refrigerator (not the freezer) and apply the
rounded part of the spoon to the gums. As with a cold
teething ring, the chilled spoon helps to numb the areas
that hurt the most.
·
You can also gently massage the gums with your
clean finger to relieve him from restlessness and
irritation. Massaging the gums with honey will
facilitate teething without any trouble.
·
Finally, sometimes giving a baby extra affection can
ease teething pain. Give him some cuddling time, or
carry your baby around with you to distract from the
discomfort.
