TEETHING AND TREATMENT IN BABIES

By Isreal Olabanji DST RN Last updated Feb 14, 2019

Table of Contents

teething is an eruption of the primary or milk teeth usually begins in the 5th or 6th months of a child’s life. The first appearance of normal teeth is eagerly awaited by the parents. In most cases eruption of teeth causes no distress to the child or parents but sometimes the process causes local irritation which
is usually minor but which may be severe enough to interfere with the child’s sleep.

The primary teeth or milk teeth usually come out without difficulty, “Teething” problems are commonly associated with the eruption of the relatively large last teeth i. e molars of the child’s teeth.

The signs of teething may be manifested locally and or systematically to include:

Crying.
Loss of appetite.
Sleeplessness.
increased salivation and drooping .
Reduced appetite . Increase thirst .
Parches of erythema on the cheeks and lips .
Increased body temperature .
General irritability .
Redness or swelling of the gum Over the erupting tooth.

TREATMENT OF TEETHING

1. Teething toys :

A baby uses hands and mouth to explore any unfamiliar object’s. Teething toys come in different designed patterns, sizes, and packages. They are designed to satisfy the natural tendency of the child to bite and suck.

The baby may obtain relief from soreness by the pressure of biting, and toys have a useful function.

A variety of teething rings, rattles and keys are available in mother’s craft shops.

Parents should be able to purchase only well made, smooth toys, and some cheap teething
toys can do more harm than good.

2. Teething Foods:

Hard biscuits products are used in some way as teething toys. Teething foods consist of mainly flour and fat. It is important that they should contain no sugar or sweetening, since this might cause another problem to the child.

3. Topical medicaments:

Various types of ointments and jellies are available for topical application to the gum. The use of, topical

medicaments helps to control infection at the site of tooth eruption and provide rapid but short-lived pain relief.

4. Use of drugs:

The administration of drugs as prescribed by the dentist should be considered only if other treatments have been ineffective.

Two main types of drugs for teething in babies.

a. Analgesics :

To relieve pain. Example is paracetamol, syrup, which must be sugar-free. 5ml contains 120mg of paracetamol. Dosage up to 1year 5ml at bedtime, 1-5 years 10ml at bedtime.

B. Hypnotic and sedatives :

It helps to restore normal sleep to the child.

Regular visit to the dental clinic :

Parents should introduce their children to the dental clinic. This is good for the dentist or therapist to start seeing the children from an early age to rule out any form of diseases or bad habits.

Parents should make their children’s oral health as a priority.