Teething Pain in Infants 0-24 Months

To give your baby the relief they’re crying for, try these tips:

• Gently rub a clean finger over your baby’s gums — to temporarily numb the pain. [from http://www.babycenter.ca/baby/sleep/teething&sleeppatterns/]
• Use your parenting magic — distract your baby from teething pain by rocking, singing, cuddling or playing with them.
• Take away your baby’s pacifier (if they’re using one) — your baby may chew the end of the pacifier, which could pose a choking hazard.
• Get your baby a cold, liquid-filled teething ring or washcloth to chew on — the coolness will help numb teething pain and will also help your baby’s teeth break through the surface of their gums. [from http://www.babycenter.ca/baby/sleep/teething&sleeppatterns/]
• Switch to a hard or bumpy rubber teething ring when your baby’s molars have come in
• Take precautions with teething rings — ensure your baby’s teething ring is DINP free (this additive is found in soft vinyl [PVC] products and poses a potential health risk) and never tie a teething ring or pacifier around your baby’s neck (the chord may get caught and pose a strangling risk).
• Cold applesauce or yogurt can help numb pain if your baby is eating solid foods. [from http://www.babycenter.ca/baby/sleep/teething&sleeppatterns/]
• Use an over-the-counter (OTC) pain relieving medication specially formulated for infants — to relieve your baby’s teething pain, like Infants’ TYLENOL^® Drops. Do not put Infants’ TYLENOL^® or any painkiller directly against your child's gums because it may burn the dental tissue.
• Ask your pharmacist about a topical anesthetic or teething gel — these gels may help numb teething pain for about 20 minutes but should not be used before breastfeeding because your baby’s tongue may be numbed to the point where they can’t suck properly. [from http://www.babycenter.ca/baby/sleep/teething&sleeppatterns/]
• Do not give your baby products containing acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)—ASA may cause a dangerous medical condition called Reye’s Syndrome.

When your baby’s teeth break through their gums, you should also:

• Help prevent tooth decay by limiting the amount of sugar you allow your baby to have — that includes replacing a bottle of juice with one filled with water, and avoid giving your baby a cookie or two to chew on, especially at bedtime
• As teeth erupt, clean them with a soft baby toothbrush and a small amount of toothpaste — breast milk that is very sweet should be cleaned from your baby’s teeth

Most children go through teething without the need to see the doctor but in some cases it may be worthwhile to arrange for a doctor’s appointment:

• If your baby’s gums are bleeding — minimal bleeding may indicate an infection
• If your baby is running a fever — since there is no proof that a fever is a normal part of teething, this too may be a sign of infection. Sometimes teething pain can be confused with ear pain at this age.
• If the pain gets worse
• Any time you feel unsure about any of your baby’s symptoms.

You should also make an appointment with your child’s doctor if your child is experiencing a toothache as a result of a thrush. Oral thrush is a condition in which the fungus “Candida albicans” accumulates on the lining of the mouth. Oral thrush causes creamy white lesions, usually on the tongue or inner cheeks. The lesions can be painful and may bleed slightly when scraped. Sometimes oral thrush may spread to the roof of the mouth, gums, tonsils or the back of the throat.