As both a dentist and a mommy, I get many questions about teething both at the office and in my own circle of friends. As a first time parent, many areas of parenting and childcare seem like such a mystery. We struggle our best by trial and error and constantly wonder if the question or problem really requires us to take a trip to the pediatrician. Do we want to shell out a co-pay or “wait it out” and see if the problem resolves on its own?

Well, my hope is that I can provide you with a little relief in this area child-rearing. Babies go through so many changes so quick, baby teething can bring about difficulties that feel like an eternity! Just when your bundle is finally sleeping through the night and you are settling in to the groove of being a new parent, the process throws you a new curve ball. Around 6-7 months, you may find your baby acquires some peculiar behavior and not all of it is enjoyable!

In general, the process of baby teeth begins at 3-4 months old, despite the fact that a tooth may not appear for several months after this. The baby teeth start their ascent into the mouth during this time and parents may notice some of the following behaviors in their infant: Excessive drooling, crankiness, biting and sticking objects in their mouths, coughing or colds, cheek or ear-pulling and unfortunately, night waking! While all of these can be signs baby teething, they can also be signs of other problems, so when in doubt, don’t be afraid to call your pediatrician-that’s what they are there for!

As these new baby teeth make their way in, they typically cause a lot of pressure and discomfort inside the gums. This process can cause crankiness and irritability and even cause baby to wake up at night in a crabby mood. It isn’t abnormal to have baby wake up crying or whimpering at night, only to attempt a bottle with no success. Sometimes they may even take the bottle only to fall right asleep without drinking much.

Babies often try to relieve this pressure during the day by chewing on any object they can fit in their mouth, including their hands. In addition, this grand appearance of teeth very much stimulates saliva flow, causing baby to drool excessively. All of these habits can cause other issues and strange behavior for baby. Excessive drooling during baby teething can cause a rash on the chin as well as stimulate the coughing and gagging reflex. They may also experience discomfort that is referred to the ears or cheeks.

The rashes are not usually a problem unless you find the rash to be causing pain, has open sores or bleeding. If this occurs, see your pediatrician for medicated creams to help heal the area and make baby comfortable again.

While ear and cheek pulling can be a sign of baby teething, it can also be a sign of an ear infection. My kids have had their fair share of ear infections and they can be such a frustrating experience. I have noticed ear and cheek pulling from baby teething to be pretty infrequent but not impossible. So, my suggestion would be that if you see this behavior, especially if accompanied with a fever, have your child evaluated by the pediatrician. Ear infections can be a very painful experience with possible complications and should not be “waited out.”

The drooling may also cause loose or runny bowel movements, but generally not diarrhea. If your baby has diarrhea lasting more than a day, call your pediatrician. While baby is trying to relieve pressure by putting object and fingers into their mouth, they unfortunately can be introducing unwanted germs into their bodies. So, you may notice and increase in colds or illnesses which may cause mild fevers or diarrhea. Fevers are not believed to be from teething directly, but are thought to be from the “bugs” that babies expose themselves to while going through the baby teething process.

So, how can you help your precious baby through this tough time which can last for months? Baby teething rings and toys or cold foods are a good start. Be sure that they are foods your baby is normally able to eat without choking! You can also gently massage the gums with your own fingers but please be sure to wash your hands first! Baby Orajel can be used, however, as a dentist I can tell you that unless you dry the area of gums completely before applying, it really will not work-you’ll only be providing bad taste and a numb tongue! So, if you can dry the area well, and your pediatrician has given you the recommendation to use it, then see if it works for your baby. Infant Tylenol or acetaminophen is another great option when baby is having a really difficult time during baby teething. However, before giving your baby any kind of medicine, always consult your pediatrician and be sure that you give the proper dosage for your child.

Infants begin the process of teething around 3-4 months old, until the first tooth makes its appearance around 6-7 months old. This long and sometimes tumultuous process will lay the foundation for many years to come. Did you know that babies are not born with the bacteria that cause cavities? Did you know that when we kiss and coo near our babies mouths that we introduce cavity causing bacteria to them, exposing them to possible tooth decay? By keeping those slobbery but wonderful kisses to a minimum, we may be able to delay tooth decay much longer in our kids.

Have you ever heard the popular myth, “Baby teeth can’t be important, they are just going to fall out anyway?” This all too popular belief among the dentally unaware is a huge cause for the many preventable dental problems with children’s teeth today. Baby teeth are extremely important to tooth position of the permanent teeth and can also play a large role in the future facial appearance of a child. They may determine whether or not a child will need braces or head-gear. Early orthodontic planning and treatment can save parents thousands of dollars later.

And, for those parents who cannot afford braces, early dental evaluation could yield less expensive solutions just by using alternative treatment while in the baby teeth years. This early intervention could save your child from being embarrassed of their smile as or wear braces as an adult. So how early should children’s teeth be placed in braces? Well, there are a multitude of factors to be considered and all are dependent on the dental situation as a child. After years of research, we now know that once children reach the age of puberty, conservative orthodontics is much more difficult. So, it is not uncommon or outrageous to evaluate and start simple orthodontic care as early as age 7, to help avoid more extensive orthodontics later.

Have you ever wondered why some children’s teeth appear darker or more yellow than their baby teeth? There are many causes of this from improper brushing, a dying tooth, genetic disorders and more. In most cases, yellow adult teeth are normal and appear yellow because of the contrasting bright color of baby teeth. However, knowing what is normal and what is not, is critical to catching other problems early before they cause other serious permanent problems.

As a mom, I always want to be aware of information regarding the health of my children. As a dentist I feel a strong need to inform and arm others with the knowledge to help their children. I am not a pediatric dentist or orthodontist, but do treat children’s teeth regularly. Because of this experience, I cannot express to parents enough the importance of being knowledgeable about the dental needs and development of your children’s teeth. Please remember: Baby teeth are not disposable. They are the most important start to a healthy and naturally beautiful set of adult teeth!