Teething Relief for Sensitive Gums

Relief for Sensitive Gums

When your baby begins to chew on everything in sight and starts drooling like Niagara Falls, it's a good guess the difficult teething months have officially begun.

Teeth begin to push through the gums when your baby is about six months old. This process can make the gums red and sensitive, and some babies will be fussy and irritable with every tooth that erupts. (Other babies, however, sail through the process with scarcely a whimper.)

The process continues until all 20 teeth come through, at about age 2½. Here's how to help your child deal with the discomfort from those emerging teeth.

Rub the gums. Just rubbing your baby's gums with your finger may make her feel better. And if you rub gently with a small gauze pad, you'll not only help relieve teething pain, but also clean your baby's mouth and get her used to the sensation of having her teeth cleaned, says John Bogert, D.D.S., pediatric dentist and executive director of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry in Chicago.

Offer soothing comfort. Sometimes a little tender care can ease the discomfort of a teething baby, says James F. Steiner, D.D.S., professor of clinical pediatrics and associate director of the Division of Pediatric Dentistry at Children's Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati. Cuddling your baby, rocking him or walking with him can often make him feel better.

Supply a washcloth to chomp on. Give your baby a clean, wet washcloth to chew on, suggests Linda Jonides, R.N., a certified pediatric nurse practitioner in Ann Arbor, Michigan. If you chill the cloth in the refrigerator beforehand, it provides even more relief, by cooling those tender gums.

Ice is nice. Wrap a piece of ice in a bit of cotton cloth, says William Kuttler, D.D.S., a dentist in Dubuque, Iowa. ''Rubbing this gently on the gums helps to numb them, and the pressure seems to feel good, too,'' he says. Be sure that the ice itself doesn't touch the gum, however, and that you keep the wrapped ice moving rather than holding it in one place.

Supply a teething ring. Teething rings with liquid centers intended for freezing are great for gum relief, says Dr. Steiner. But instead of freezing the ring, chill it in the refrigerator. ''A child who holds a frozen teething ring against his gums can actually get frostbitten gums,'' explains Dr. Steiner. ''Refrigerating them gets the rings cool enough to comfort the baby's gums without the potential harm from direct ice.''

And although it may be tempting to attach the ring to the baby's clothing with a bit of string so you don't have to keep retrieving it, don't, warns Jonides. You don't want to risk your baby choking on the string.

Consider an OTC pain reliever. If your baby is in serious discomfort or having trouble sleeping because of pain, call your doctor and ask about giving an over-the-counter pain reliever. Acetaminophen (Children's Tylenol) can help a baby who seems to be very uncomfortable, says F. T. Fitzpatrick, M.D., a pediatrician in private practice in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Be sure to get a pain reliever that's specifically for infants, and check with your doctor for the correct dosage.

Try a gum preparation. Products that numb the gums, such as Orajel or Anbesol Baby Teething Gel can help ease gum pain, says Dr. Kuttler. Just follow directions on the package for use.

Mop up the drool. Drooling goes with teething. And clothing that has become wet from drooling can cause a rash, particularly on the neck and upper chest, says Dr. Fitzpatrick. To prevent this, change your child's clothing often, or keep a soft cloth or bib around your baby's neck to soak up the drool.

Protect your baby's face. Your child may need a bit of extra protection to keep from getting a rash on her face. ''If your baby is drooling a great deal, put a coating of petroleum jelly around her mouth and chin, avoiding the lips,'' says Jonides.