By: Juan Fernando González G. 

The emergence of teeth in children brings with it some discomfort that can be lessened by obtaining information from reliable sources and neglecting homemade solutions that, eventually, could be counterproductive.

The first recommendation for parents, especially if they are “first timers”, is to identify the classic symptoms associated with teething:

-Excessive drooling
-Desire to chew objects.
-Irritability or bad mood
-Pain or tenderness in the gums.
-Slight increase in temperature, but no fever.

The first stage of human dentition begins in the fetus itself, at six weeks of age, when the basic substance of the teeth is in formation. A little later, when three to four months of gestation have passed, the hard tissue that surrounds the teeth is created.

At six months of age, the first teeth begin to emerge, in a gradual advance that concludes when the child is close to reaching three years of age. The process is the following:

-Lower incisors: between 5 and 12 months.
-Upper incisors: between 7 and 10 months.
-Upper and lower sides: between 9 and 12 months.
-Upper and lower first molars: between 12 and 18 months.
-Upper and lower canines: between 18 and 24 months.
-Lower and upper second molars: between 24 and 30 months.

Let the experts speak

The Mexican Dental Association recommends that, as soon as the baby’s first tooth appears, the dentist is visited to have an assessment of the health of the gums. The specialist will teach parents to properly clean the infant’s mouth and will warn of the most common problems at this stage.

While this is happening, it is advisable to maintain the newborn’s oral hygiene, especially the gum area, with the help of a gauze or soft cloth (clean and moistened) in previously boiled or disinfected water. This cleaning is important to avoid the accumulation of food debris and bacteria in the child’s mouth.

Some more recommendations:

-In children under 3 years of age, teeth should be gently brushed from the moment they are visible, for which you must use a child-size brush and an amount of toothpaste, also children’s, no more than a grain of rice.

-Brushing should be done in the morning and at night.

-Sugar or honey should not be added to liquids (sodas are prohibited), to avoid cavities.

Solutions

The pharmaceutical industry has developed some pain relievers in the form of gels that reduce discomfort in the gums, but these types of products should be used sparingly as they can numb the throat. Another remedy that has proven effective over the years is applying pressure to your baby’s gums, hence the popularity of “teethers.” Babies are relieved if these utensils are cold, not frozen.

Homeopathy, for its part, offers aids for the treatment and reduction of inflammation, itching and discomfort derived from infant teething, with the advantage that its components are natural and do not produce any type of secondary reaction in babies.

This is the case of Belladonna, Calcarea carbonica and Chamomilla, whose efficacy is widely documented in scientific medical writings and which, very often, are the first option for the treatment of written symptoms.

References:

-Guide for Health Care (girls and boys from 0 to 9 years old). Mexican Social Security Institute.
-Mexican Dental Association.
-Mayo Clinic. www.mayoclinic.org/es-es
-HealthyChildren.org.
-Guíainfantil.com.
-Puig Capote, Elizabeth et al. Homeopathic therapy and its application in Stomatology. AMC [online]. 2009, vol.13, n.1.