Baby Crying - Teething and Toothache

At around 4 to 6 months your baby’s tiny tooth buds begin pushing their way through the gums. But don’t panic if your baby is older and still has no teeth or if your child got his first tooth earlier than 4 months – teeth come when they want to. In fact, many babies are born with teeth!

The incisors in the middle of the lower jaw come first, closely followed by the top pair of incisors. The big back molars appear by the end of the second year. By the time your child is two and half he should have all twenty teeth. These teeth will begin falling out when your child is about six years old – then you’ll have to go through the teething process again.

Teething pain can normally be treated at home with lots of cuddles. You can also:

• Rub sore gums with pain relieving teething gel such as bonjela teething gel (suitable from 2 months)
• Let your baby bite on a cold teething ring such as a bonjela teething ring – these should be sterilised and cooled in the fridge (never frozen).

• Give your baby gentle pain relief - Nurofen for Children can quickly help soothe teething pains

For more expert advice on teething visit www.teething-babies.co.uk
If your child is unwell or feverish, please speak to your doctor.

There are many different things that trigger toothaches. But toothache in children is most likely to be caused by decay (or cavities) – and this is usually caused by plaque-acid build-up. Nurofen for Children can help soothe the pain of toothache (and it’s sugar-free), but should only be used temporarily, and never as a replacement for the dentist. The best way to protect your child against toothache is to keep their teeth and gums healthy.

• Try to cut down on the amount of snacking your child does in-between meals

• Make sure your child brushes their teeth twice daily

• Take your child to the dentist every six months

For more information, please contact: NHS Direct.