Toddler Teething

Overview

Teething is a normal part of childhood where the baby teeth push through the gum. Teething will not cause any problems for some children. Other families may find it a hard time, both for toddlers and their parents. It can start between 6 – 18 months and continue until all 20 baby teeth are through, often by age 3. While teething may vary from child to child, knowing what to expect can make the process easier for everyone.

Potential Signs of Teething

Teething happens at a time where children are going through many changes in their development. These changes could be linked to teething; however, most are developmentally normal. During teething, some families feel that their child may:

• Have gum swelling or sensitivity: Gums can appear red and swollen and may feel sore as teeth press through.
• Be more irritable or fussy: There are many developmental changes which happen in the same time frame as teething. These changes to sleep, play or life experiences may cause children to be more irritable or cry more than usual. The discomfort of teeth moving through the gums, can also have an impact on children's behaviour.
• Drool more than usual: Around 6 months, it is normal for children to want to put everything in their mouth! Their toys, their hands, even your hands, face or shoulder! Putting things in their mouths is a normal way for babies to explore and learn about their world. However, due to everything going in their mouth, babies make more saliva, which can lead to drooling. The excess drool may cause mild skin irritation around the mouth.
• Chew on objects: Babies learn about, and explore their worlds by putting things (toys, fingers, anything!) in their mouth. Some people believe that gum discomfort may be relieved by pressure of chewing. 
• Changes in eating patterns: Toddlers may eat less due to gum discomfort, while others may eat more than usual, as chewing may ease discomfort.

While teething may cause a slight increase in your child’s body temperature, it is unlikely to cause a fever. If your child has a temperature greater than 38°C, diarrhoea, vomiting, or signs of being unwell, please see your doctor for a review.

Tips for Soothing Teething Discomfort

Here are some things you can try to support your child and ease teething discomfort:

1. Be responsive to your child’s emotional needs: During teething, as parents we may need to have a little more patience.  Offering some extra cuddles and comfort can go a long way, as teething can disrupt sleep and daily routines.
2. Offer a cold (but not frozen) teething ring or washcloth: The cold helps to numb sore gums and reduce swelling. Be sure the teething ring is appropriate for their age and doesn’t contain any liquid or small parts. Make sure to always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
3. Gently massage their gums: Wash your hands and use a clean finger or age-appropriate toothbrush to rub their gums gently. This can offer temporary relief from pain and pressure.
4. Provide healthy chewable foods: If your toddler is eating solids, try giving them something cold to chew on. Cold foods, like a refrigerated wedge of orange, watermelon or rockmelon may also help. Supervise children closely to avoid choking.

Things to avoid

Some ideas for teething management, no longer meet current recommendations and could harm your child. Please avoid the following strategies:

• Don’t put honey or alcohol on a child’s dummy.
• Don’t use teething gels and medications such as aspirin. They may have harmful side effects for your baby.
• Don’t use Amber teething beads and necklaces due to potential choking and strangulation risks. 

Teething Timeline

Every child is unique, but here is a general timeline of when their teeth may start to appear:

Dental Care

Your child's first teeth are so important. Teeth help your child eat different foods as they get older and help them to speak. Teeth help to shape their jaw and face and will give your child a beautiful smile. Even though the baby teeth will fall out and new, adult teeth will grow in their place, it's important to look after your child's first teeth. 

You can help your child to have strong, healthy teeth by:

• Starting to clean teeth as soon as they come through the gum. You can clean your child's teeth with a damp cloth or an age-appropriate toothbrush. 
• Cleaning your child's teeth twice a day. This can be done after they have had their morning meal and before they go to bed at night. Please keep helping your child to brush their teeth until they are 8 years old.
• Use toothpaste from 18 months. A pea size amount of children’s fluoride toothpaste can be used from 18 months, or when your child can spit. Make sure they spit the tooth paste out. Don't rinse their mouth after brushing as the fluoride will help to protect their teeth.
• Offer water, breastmilk or milk as a drink. Juice, soft drink, cordial and flavoured milks have a lot of sugar and can cause tooth decay.
• Offer your child a cup or straw to drink from. By giving a cup, you are teaching your child life skills and protecting their teeth. From 12 months your child no longer needs a bottle for milk feeds. Comfort sucking can cause tooth decay. 
• Have bottles sitting up. If your child is having a hard time giving up their bottle, please speak to your health professional for support. Until you can move away from the bottle, make sure that your child is sitting up to have their milk. 
• Keep dummies and toothbrushes for one person only. Children are not born with decay causing bacteria in their mouth. Bacteria is transferred from one person to another person. To stop the bacteria from transferring, don't clean your child's dummy or their spoon in your mouth. 
• Take your child to the dentist. Your child can have a dental check around their first birthday or when their first tooth comes through