Teething and Pacifiers

Teething and pacifiers

Teething is a natural process of baby's first teeth working their way through the gums. The first teeth normally appear between 6 and 10 months of age. By the time your child is two or three years old, they will have all 20 baby teeth.

Common signs of teething:

• Drooling
• Crankiness and irritability
• Red cheeks
• Red swollen gums
• A need to chew on things

Fever, stuffiness, runny nose, and diarrhea are not signs of teething, and could delay the diagnosis of an ear infection or other illness.

You can help your baby during teething

Babies who are teething may have sore or tender gums. You may help your child by:

• Massaging the gums with a clean, wet cloth that has been chilled in the refrigerator.
• Offering a teething ring to your child. Babies massage their own gums by chewing on hard, smooth objects.

Avoid giving your teething baby the following:

• hard foods like raw carrots that could cause choking,
• sweet foods and teething biscuits that could cause tooth decay, and
• over-the-counter teething gels unless advised by your doctor.

Choose the right pacifier for your child

• Use an orthodontically shaped pacifier that meets safety standards. This shape helps the muscles and bones of the face and jaw to grow properly.
• Use a pacifier instead of letting your baby suck his thumb or finger since you can control when and how your child uses a pacifier. Thumb sucking may be a harder habit to break, and can change the facial profile and lead to orthodontic problems.

Tips for when your child is using a pacifier:

• Wash the pacifier with soap and water before using it.
• Attach a safe and proper clip to the pacifier.
• Never clean a pacifier in your own mouth. This will spread bacteria to your child.
• Never dip the pacifier in sugar, honey, or anything sweet, as this will cause cavities.
• Honey could contain the botulism bacteria, which could make your baby very ill.
• Check for signs of wear and replace the pacifier if it is sticky, cracked, or torn.
• Stop the use of a pacifier before permanent teeth come in, around 5 years of age, as it may cause problems with how the jaw and teeth grow. 

Resources:

• Ontario Dental Association - The Eruption of Baby Teeth