All I want this Christmas is my two front teeth

Kristen Becker, AHS

Kristen Becker, Alberta Health Services

If you are still impatiently waiting for your child’s first tooth to erupt, you are not alone. The teething process may seem like it goes on forever, often with symptoms lasting for weeks, even months, before that first tooth fully erupts. Teething can be a painful and stressful time for both the child and the parents, and the most difficult part is that the experience is different for everyone.

When can you expect the first tooth?

To be honest, there isn’t a really good answer to this question. Every child is different and the age range for that first tooth to erupt can be anywhere from birth to 12 months. Every book or article you read has a different age range but truth be told there will be children who do not fall into those age ranges. I have seen new parents whose child was born with a tooth, even two, and then there are children with “gummy” smiles on their first birthdays that are still waiting for those first teeth to appear. The most important thing to remember when you see a chart like the one shown below is that it is a guideline, not set in stone, and is meant to help guide parents on where and when to check for those newly-erupted teeth. However, most children will have all 20 of their primary, or baby teeth, by the time they are three years old.

What are the symptoms of teething?

This is a common question that most parents ask, especially when their child is starting to fuss or their sleep patterns change. Keeping consistent with our theme that every child is different, these symptoms of teething may be different for every child as well as for every tooth that they cut. The most common signs of teething include: swollen, bulging gums; drooling; chewing/sucking on everything; irritability; difficulty sleeping; turning away food; rubbing their face and grabbing their ears. You might notice a combination of these symptoms and some, especially drooling and biting, may last for weeks or months before the tooth completely comes through. Most symptoms last three to five days before the tooth cuts through and usually disappear once the tooth is visible. If your child suffers from diarrhea, fever and/or a runny nose while teething and it lasts longer than 24 hours it is recommended to see your doctor to rule out anything more serious.

What can you do to help ease teething discomfort?

Finding out a method of pain relief for your child will likely be a process of trial and error. Because every child goes through different teething cycles, and shows different symptoms, a method that works for one baby may not work for another. If your child is chewing on anything they can get their hands on, a cold, never frozen, teething ring may help to ease their discomfort. The pressure put on their gums can also help that little tooth make its way through. Try to avoid any liquid filled teething rings or plastic objects that could break off in their mouths. You can try to massage the gums with a cold clean washcloth for a few minutes at a time and attempt to feed your child cool soft foods (if they are eating solids) such as yogurt and applesauce. Teething biscuits/cookies are not recommended due to their high sugar content and mesh fruit holders that are geared towards teething can harbour a lot of bacteria. It is also important to note that Health Canada issued an advisory against teething necklaces that are marketed and sold with the intention of preventing or reducing teething pain. These products pose a choking risk due to their small pieces as well as a strangulation hazard as children under the age of three should never have anything placed around their necks. If your child is having a hard time with teething, and these tips are not helping, talk to your doctor about over-the-counter pain relief medication. Their recommendations may vary depending on your child’s age and size.

If you have any concerns about the eruption of your child’s primary teeth, ask a dental professional. The Canadian Dental Association recommends your child have their teeth checked within six months of the eruption of the first tooth or by one year of age. You can book your child in with your local dentist and Alberta Health Services offers free visual exams and fluoride varnishes to children 12-35 months old. Contact your local Public Health office to see if your child is eligible for this program.

Kristen Becker is a dental hygienist with Alberta Health Services’ Population Health Promotion and can be reached at 403-388-6776 or email Kristen.Becker@albertahealthservices.ca.