How to Identify Teething Signs in Your Infant

There's nothing more exciting to a new parent than catching a glimpse of baby's first smile. Sure, that initial smirk may be just a gassy sigh of contentment, but we'll take it!

The problems start when babies begin teething. That gummy grin is cute, but soon it will be populated by a few new teeth.

Teeth can begin showing up for infants in the first two months. The first two teeth to appear will be the bottom middle teeth. After these teeth come through, the top two teeth are typically next on the horizon.

It's possible for teeth to come in on a different schedule. Some children are actually born with teeth! Every child is different, so there's no need to worry if your little one marches to the beat of a different drum.

Your newborn may begin to sleep through the night, only to begin restless sleep once more as teething upsets his routine. It's understandable-- after all, dental pain is not a welcome part of life-- at any age. Unfortunately, your baby doesn't understand the reason for her painful, swollen gums. Poor sleep can be one of the signs of teething.

You may begin placing a bib around your baby's neck all day long, because one of the teething signs and symptoms is excessive drool. As your child's new incisors begin to cut through, his mouth may begin to produce a lot of saliva, which means he may end up drooling all over that new outfit he got from Aunt Fay. A bib can prevent drool from landing on a treasured outfit and can make picture time a little easier.

You may notice your child begin putting anything and everything into her mouth. She may bite her fists, her crib, or even latch on to your chin! This is one of the teething symptoms that means those teeth are just on the cusp of trying to break through.

Teething toys can help soothe those painful mouths. You may want to consider teething toys that your youngster can use for a few years, as their mouths grow, and their molars begin to peek through. Some toys can be placed in the freezer for an extra numbing sensation.

One of the teething signs that sometimes confuses parents are flushed, red cheeks. Another of the teething signs and symptoms is a low grade fever. Just keep an eye on rising temps if you start to notice a fever, because a high fever is not one of the signs of teething.

It's not secreted that dentists want children to brush their teeth. What does this mean for your child's mouth?

There is some disagreement about how often or whether infants need their teeth brushed. What is clear is that just because these are baby teeth does not mean that they can be ignored.

Brushing with toothpaste the size of a grain of rice can help prevent cavities as your child ages. Teeth can be brushed once they have erupted from the gums, so keep your eyes open for any new teeth as you implement a tooth brushing routine in your household.

As your child ages, it's important to emphasize mouth hygiene. Brushing teeth together as a family can help children see how important and easy it is to keep the mouth clean and prevent cavities.

Get to know your child's dentist, and make sure to stay in touch as your child ages. For now, enjoy those toothless giggles-- those mouths will be full of teeth before you know it!

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