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What time does a child have his first teeth? At what months do children's first teeth erupt and in what order?

Babies' first teeth are an important and difficult period not only for the babies themselves, but also for their parents. During the period of teething, children, as a rule, become capricious and nervous, often cry, which, of course, cannot but worry caring mom and dad.

Many young parents do not immediately understand the reason for this child’s behavior and come up with terrible diagnoses before the doctor explains to them what the problem really is.

But how not to confuse teething with illness or discomfort of the baby? At what age does the first tooth begin to cut? What to do to ease the baby's suffering? All this will be discussed below.

Before the first teeth erupt, the baby feels discomfort, so he constantly tries to massage the gums with “improvised objects”

All babies experience the eruption of their first teeth differently: some go through this period steadily and relatively painlessly, while others suffer and suffer. It is difficult to explain what this difference depends on, but we can say with certainty that not a single newborn has had an absolutely comfortable teething process.

How can parents determine that their baby has started teething? There are several symptoms that are most common.

  1. The baby's salivation increases, he begins to move his jaws more often, as if he is trying to chew something or massage his gums.
  2. The child becomes more excitable, he may cry more often for no reason, be capricious, sleep poorly, and sometimes refuse to eat.
  3. An increase in body temperature also indicates the appearance of the first teeth.
  4. The baby may have diarrhea.
  5. The gums become swollen and red, and itching appears. If such symptoms are present, the baby more often touches his mouth with his hands, tries to put his fingers into it, and rubs his cheeks.
  6. Teething is often accompanied by a weakened immune system. Against this background, the baby may develop a cough or runny nose.



The formation of teeth in humans begins several months before birth. For example, baby teeth are formed in a baby in the fourth month of the mother’s pregnancy, and then (the fifth and sixth months) the molars are formed.

But young parents are often worried about the question: when do teeth start cutting? How not to miss this important moment? You won’t miss it, as the baby herself will let you know that teething has already begun.

It happens that the first signs of teeth appearing in babies are observed already in the third month of life, but the first milk tooth “comes out” in the period from 4 to 7 months. However, we must not forget that the development of each child follows its own separate plan, so any deviation from this period is not a violation of the norm.

Some babies are born with one baby tooth, while others smile at their parents with a still toothless mouth at 12-15 months.

But if you are very concerned about the issue of teething in your baby, you should consult a dentist. He will examine the little patient and reassure you.



As you know, the first teeth in babies appear in a certain order.

  • The first lower incisors appear first. This happens between 6 and 9 months;
  • Then the first upper incisors “come out” (from 7 to 10 months);
  • Then the lateral teeth appear - the second upper and lower incisors (9-12 months);
  • At one to one and a half years old, the baby’s upper and lower first molars are cut;
  • Then the upper fangs “come out” (16-20 months), and after a couple of months the lower fangs;
  • The last to appear are the lower second molars (20-33 months) and the upper second molars (24-36 months).

Thus, the complete formation of teeth in children ends around three years. But it should be remembered that all data are averaged and approximate, so almost any deviations from them are considered normal.



When is the best time to see a doctor?

And yet, despite the fact that all children are different, there are certain deviations that should alert parents and be a signal to visit a pediatrician or dentist.

  1. The child is far behind the norm. Although the first baby teeth can appear even at 12 months, for your own peace of mind it is better to visit a doctor if the baby at 7-9 months does not have any hint of teething.
  2. Teeth grow in the wrong order.
  3. Teeth grow crooked or out of place.
  4. Temperature during teething lasts more than 1-2 days.
  5. Diarrhea does not go away within a few days.

Any of these symptoms deserves urgent consultation with a specialist.



Teeth cutting: what to do?

As soon as parents understand the reason for their child’s tearfulness and anxiety, a logical question arises: how to help the baby survive this difficult period? How can I ease his suffering?

First of all, you need to pay more attention to the baby. Talk to him, pick him up more often, and if the baby is breastfed, then put him to your breast. This will calm the child and at least temporarily ease his suffering.

You can give your baby a special teether - a silicone or rubber toy designed to massage the gums. Such items can be purchased at any children's store. If you are not tempted by the prospect of giving your baby silicone, make an analogue yourself. Place a piece of frozen fruit or vegetable in a special feeding net and give it to the baby: solid food will massage the gums, and cold will relieve inflammation and reduce discomfort.

You can massage your baby yourself. To do this, wash your finger well and massage the gums in the teething areas. In children's stores you can buy special silicone finger tips for this purpose. Massage can also be performed with a special analgesic gel.



How to care for children's teeth?

Of course, you need to take care of your baby’s teeth from the moment they appear. This is very important, since improper care of baby teeth will negatively affect the formation of permanent teeth, and can also cause problems with bite and digestion in the child.

To begin with, simply wipe the baby's teeth with a soft cloth dipped in boiled water. Then the baby’s first toothbrush should appear in constant use. It is a silicone finger tip equipped with soft bristles.

This brush will not only gently clean the baby’s first teeth, but will also massage and relieve discomfort in the mouth. You can use this fingertip until the child is one year old. Then real brushes with bristles will come into use.

And, of course, do not forget about regular visits to the dentist. The first visit to the dentist should occur as soon as the baby turns one year old.

Conclusion

The appearance of the first baby teeth is a difficult period in the life of every child, and the main task of parents is to help the baby survive it as painlessly and calmly as possible. That is why you need to clearly monitor the signs and symptoms of teething, and when they first appear, surround your baby with double love and care.

The cutting of the first teeth is an exciting and touching event that can proceed completely calmly, without causing discomfort to the baby, but it can also bring some temporary problems. Sometimes the first teeth appear when no one expected it, and sometimes the long-awaited event is delayed, causing anxiety among parents. At how many months do the first teeth appear, and how this happens, we’ll talk further.

When do the first teeth erupt?

The timing of the eruption of the first teeth is different for all children and depends on genetics, the child’s nutrition, calcium-phosphorus metabolism and even climatic conditions. Therefore, you should not worry that the “book norms” have passed, but the first tooth has not yet appeared. Most often, the first teeth erupt at about 6 months of age, but in some children they may appear as early as 4 months, and in others as early as one year. It has been noticed that boys, as a rule, erupt teeth later than girls.

If your baby is over a year old and his teeth have not yet begun to emerge, you should consult a pediatrician or dentist. Perhaps he simply lacks vitamins and minerals, but there may be a more serious reason - adentia (lack of tooth buds).

Which tooth comes out first?

Individually, it also determines which teeth appear first in a child (contrary to the widespread contrary opinion about strict). It all depends on the characteristics of the body and heredity. Most often, teeth come out in this order: first incisors (often lower), second (lateral) incisors, first molars, canines and second molars. A 3-year-old child should have a full row of 20 teeth, which will not fall out until about 6 years of age, when the permanent teeth are ready to emerge.

It is believed that the later the first tooth appears, the later the loss of baby teeth will begin. The first milk teeth can be cut either one at a time or “en masse” (sometimes up to four at a time). They make their way through the gums at an irregular angle; some may initially grow at an angle, gradually straightening out. The norm is the presence of gaps between the teeth and does not affect the permanent teeth.

Signs of the first teeth

Sometimes it is quite difficult to understand whether the process of teething has begun, since the symptoms of the first teeth and the reactions of the child’s body to such stress are also different.

As a rule, during this period, babies' salivation increases; their mouth is constantly filled with saliva, which, when flowing out, with constant wiping, can cause irritation around the lips.

You can find out if the first tooth is erupting by looking at what your baby's gums look like. Before teeth appear, the gums become swollen, which can be felt by running your finger along the front edge. The presence of tubercles means a quick “new thing.” The gums may turn red, and you can see a white spot on them - an emerging tooth. At this time, the baby always wants to chew something to relieve the itching sensation.

When the sharp edge of a tooth penetrates the sensitive gum tissue, the child may feel pain, which may cause sleep disturbance, anxiety, poor appetite, moodiness.

Quite often, when teething, the baby begins to have a runny nose with light, profuse nasal discharge, which is associated with increased secretion of the glands. Due to mucus accumulating in the nasopharynx, a wet cough may occur, especially in the morning. An increase to (38.5 °C) and watery diarrhea are also possible.

It is important not to confuse teething with any disease, so if alarming symptoms occur, even experienced parents would do well to consult a pediatrician.

When do babies' first teeth start to erupt, which ones appear first, how to know that teeth are starting to erupt (signs and symptoms) and how to help your child get rid of unpleasant sensations.

For the first months of his life, your baby smiled a toothless smile. And suddenly a small whitish bulge becomes visible on the gum. This means that the child’s teeth begin to cut, first the first one, and after two to three weeks the next one will follow. (By the age of three, the baby will “get” all his baby teeth.)

When the first teeth are cut

When a child begins to cut his first teeth depends on several factors:

  1. Heredity.
  2. Child nutrition. Is there enough calcium entering the small body?
  3. Climatic living conditions. Children living in hot climates erupt teeth earlier.
  4. Gender of the child. Girls cut their teeth earlier than boys (between 6 and 7 months) .

Pediatricians are unanimous about which teeth cut first - these are the lower incisors. Although there are cases that other teeth erupt first, and this is nothing to worry about, because each organism is absolutely individual.

Signs and symptoms of teething

A frequent question is “how to find out / see / understand that a child is cutting teeth - this is a rhetorical question. Everything will be immediately visible based on the baby’s condition and behavior:

  • there is redness and swelling of the gums, they itch and hurt;
  • salivation increases;
  • a sour smell from the mouth appears due to the decomposition of particles of the mucous membrane;
  • cheeks become swollen;
  • the child puts everything in his mouth and scratches his gums;
  • irritability and tearfulness appear.

Sometimes more worrisome symptoms appear, because the child’s immunity is decreasing at this point. The baby has already used the immune protection that the mother gave, but is just beginning to develop. Teething is a strong blow to the body and can be accompanied by the following symptoms:

  • a rash on the gums in the form of red blisters that contain liquid; after the tooth appears, the rash disappears;
  • fever caused by gum inflammation should not last more than three days;
  • diarrhea is explained by the presence of foreign objects in the child’s mouth;
  • lack of appetite is caused by painful gums;
  • deterioration of sleep;
  • runny nose.

If the child’s health deteriorates for a long time, during teething, you need to call your doctor to rule out other causes. Perhaps the baby really got sick, since such symptoms are not directly related to teething.

Scheme and timing of eruption

  1. The first four teeth (upper and lower incisors) appear by 7-10 months.
  2. The next four incisors emerge by the first birthday.
  3. The first molars above and below will appear in one to one and a half years.
  4. Fangs erupt in the second half of the second year of life.
  5. The second molars complete the row of primary teeth by the third year.

(Clickable)


 Scheme of eruption of baby teeth: 1) lower central incisors 6-7 months. 2) upper central incisors 8-9 months. 3) upper lateral incisors 9-11 months. 4) lower lateral incisors 11-13 months. 5) upper first molars 12-15 months. 6) lower first molars 12-15 months. 7) canines 18-20 months. 8) second molars 20-30 months

The list shows that it is impossible to say the exact date of teething.

Most often, the first teeth begin to appear around seven months, but this is not a postulate.

Late teething should not be a reason to panic. Previously, late appearance of teeth was considered a sign of rickets or calcium deficiency. Modern pediatricians consider delayed teething to be normal for completely healthy children.

Some atypical timing of the appearance of teeth may be indirect symptoms of disorders in the child’s body:

  • teething two or more months later may be the result of an infectious disease, metabolic disorder or intestinal dysfunction.
  • eruption of the first tooth two months earlier may indicate endocrine disorders.
  • eruption outside the gum is a consequence of the incorrect position of the tooth axis.
  • the birth of a child with teeth occurs, although rarely; These teeth are removed to make breastfeeding more comfortable for the mother.

However, only a complete thorough examination of the child will confirm the presence of certain disorders.

If your one-year-old child’s teeth have not started to grow, you should consult a dentist. Most often, during an examination, the doctor will find swollen and reddened gums. You just need to stimulate the appearance of teeth with massage. In rare cases, a diagnosis of adentia is made, confirming the complete absence of tooth buds.


 diagram of the eruption of all baby teeth

How to help your child

During this difficult period, you need to know how to help the child, relieve his pain and discomfort. The methods are simple and have been developed over the years:

  • Gum massage will relieve pain. You need to carry it out with your finger, after thoroughly washing your hands before doing this. Perform the massage carefully so as not to injure the gums.
  • Give your child a teething toy. There is a large selection of such rubber, silicone or gel accessories and you can purchase them at a pharmacy or children's store (read).
  • Cold helps relieve itching and pain in the gums. You need to moisten a soft cotton napkin in cool water, put it in the refrigerator and let your baby chew. You can use chamomile decoction instead of water, it will help relieve inflammation. You can also refrigerate a gel teether or pacifier.

Old, proven methods can be supplemented with modern pharmaceuticals. Nowadays in pharmacies there is a large selection of special gels and during pain in a child, you can choose any one and lubricate the gums with it:

  • Dentinox;
  • Holisal;
  • Kalgel;
  • Baby Doctor;
  • Kamistad;
  • Dentol baby;
  • Pansoral.

Teething is a delicate process that requires parental involvement and care. Soreness and swelling of the gums, irritability, increased salivation, which can be accompanied by a wet cough and runny nose, increased bowel movements - these are the main troubles that the baby will have to endure if nothing is done. To alleviate the baby’s condition during the teething period, we advise you to pay attention to a completely natural drug, which, thanks to the complex action of herbal components, helps relieve all the main symptoms of teething in the child, helping parents and babies overcome this period more calmly.

Dental gels do not affect the teething process itself. They only relieve pain, since such products contain lidocaine and menthol. When using these products, you need to monitor the child's reaction, as they can cause an allergic reaction. The effect of the gels lasts no more than 20 minutes, they can be used no more than five times a day and no longer than three days.

If severe pain occurs, you can resort to an anesthetic. Before giving your baby medicine, you should definitely consult your doctor.

Excessive salivation irritates the baby's delicate skin on the chin. It is necessary to constantly wipe the drool and lubricate the skin with baby cream. During this period, it is necessary to remove all small and fragile objects from the child’s environment. The baby puts everything in his mouth and can get hurt, swallow an object, or suffocate. All baby toys must be disinfected for the same reason.

Caring for your first teeth

The baby's first teeth require new responsibilities from parents. Even one tooth already needs to be brushed - this is both a necessity and the formation of a useful habit of taking care of the cleanliness of your teeth. To do this, buy a special silicone attachment for your finger or use a bandage soaked in boiled water. The procedure is carried out regularly: after breakfast and in the evening, before going to bed, thoroughly wiping the teeth, gums and tongue.

The period of eruption of a baby’s first milk teeth is one of the most difficult times in the life of young parents. The child becomes as if he is not himself, because the appearance of teeth is often characterized by pain and discomfort. The first “bells” of a new tooth appearing: increased tearfulness, whims and crying, slight malaise. The opposite situation may also be of concern - the child is six months or more old, but the first tooth is in no hurry to appear. How to make it easier for a child to teethe, at what months do children cut their teeth and what factors influence the appearance of baby teeth - we will tell you in our article.

Table of average rates of primary teeth eruption (in months)

There is a simple “dental” formula that can be used to easily calculate how many baby teeth a baby should have at a certain age. The formula looks like this: N=n-4, where N is the number of teeth, and n is the age of your child in months.

There is also a convenient table in which you can find out the average time for teeth to appear.

Baby teething begins between 4 and 8 months. Parents are often interested in which teeth come in first: first, you should wait for the 2 lower front teeth - these are the central incisors. After a couple of months, the 4 upper teeth will gradually begin to appear - these are the central and lateral incisors, and about a month after them - the remaining 2 incisors below. Then the first molars will erupt, after which the teeth – fangs – will emerge.

The exact time of eruption of the first tooth in a particular child cannot be predicted from tables and reference books - this indicator depends on specific factors that may influence the appearance of teeth.

– Hereditary factor

If we are talking about a healthy infant, then in most cases the age at which the first teeth appear is determined by heredity. Some children erupt teeth a little earlier, others a little later - this is a purely individual matter.

Interesting fact! If it is known that on the maternal side, every second child erupted teeth extremely early, and your three-month-old baby is already eagerly putting his fists in his mouth to “scratch” his gums, then it means that you will not miss early teething. Likewise, vice versa - if it turns out that dad’s first tooth came out at almost nine months, there is no need to panic - your baby most likely adopted a certain gene from his father.

– Complete nutrition of the baby

An infant should receive a nutritious diet rich in calcium. First of all, this is mother's milk, or, in its absence, adapted milk formulas for infants. It is believed that children who are fed breast milk erupt teeth earlier than “artificial” babies.

Important! A lack of calcium in an infant affects the dental system and can cause delayed teething or an incorrect order of their appearance.

– Climatic conditions

Interestingly, pediatricians from different countries have noticed that children living in hot climates experience teething earlier than those living in cooler conditions.

– Gender of the baby

In girls, the first milk teeth appear earlier than in male infants, on average by 1-1.5 months. This factor is already part of popular belief, but it also has a place to be. Also, regardless of gender, thin children also cut teeth faster than children with heavier builds.

Symptoms of teething in babies

Few parents are lucky enough to painlessly and quietly overcome the period of eruption of the baby’s first milk teeth. Most often, the impending appearance of a tooth brings anxiety to the child, which cannot but worry moms and dads. To know when a newborn, but already slightly grown-up baby, starts teething, you can take note of the symptoms that will tell you that soon there will be an important event in the family - the first tooth of a small family member.

  • Decreased appetite

Due to painful “itching” in the gums, the baby may be unable to eat food, even the one he loves.

  • Salivating

Don't have time to change your bib before it gets wet again? Rest assured, a new baby tooth is just around the corner.

  • Swollen gums

You may notice that the baby’s gums, where a tooth is expected in the future, are swollen and red. What is important is that these changes in the gums can occur even a couple of months before true eruption.

  • Tearfulness, irritability

Teething, frankly speaking, is an unpleasant process for a baby. The baby does not understand what is happening to him, feels discomfort in his mouth and communicates this to others with his dissatisfaction. Be patient and caring for the baby, this period, although difficult, is short-lived.

  • Fever and loose stools

If, while teething, the baby suddenly has a fever, this indicates that the immune system is weakened, and during the period of teething the child could have caught the virus. Fever and diarrhea are serious symptoms and cannot be caused by teething alone; these are signs of an additional disease. If your baby is not feeling well, be sure to consult your pediatrician.

How long does teething take?

It is difficult to answer how long it takes for the first teeth to erupt. A baby tooth can come out either unnoticed by parents or the baby, or “torture” it for months. On average, the first tooth may cause trouble for 1-2 weeks before it appears. After observing the first tooth, you can answer the question of how many days your child is teething and be ready for the next baby teeth.

During the teething period, the baby may begin to grab and pull into his mouth all objects available to him in order to somehow relieve the itching of irritated gums. There are many ways to alleviate a child’s condition when teeth appear; here are the most effective of them.

1. “Tonants” for chewing

Gum teethers are excellent devices for easing your baby's condition. There are all kinds: rubber, plastic, filled with water or gel (for cooling), with pimples and various ribbed surfaces. There are even vibrating teethers that are activated when the chewer bites the gums.

2. Gels for gums.


If the baby has stopped sleeping peacefully due to painful teething, then it’s time to use a remedy that will relieve itching and alleviate the child’s condition. Gels for gums during the teething period are approved for use from 3 months (Dentinox, Kalgel, Kamistad, etc.). A drop of the gel needs to be rubbed into the painful gums, and after a couple of minutes the baby will feel the pain and itching go away thanks to a small amount of ice-caine included in the gel. There are also herbal gels (Pansoral, Baby Doctor), but they are not as effective as gels with a cooling effect.

3. Gum massage

A simple way to soothe gum pain is to massage sore and swollen gums. In order not to injure the delicate mucous membranes, the person performing the massage should trim his nails and wash his hands thoroughly with soap. It is convenient to carry out the massage with your thumb, massaging the baby’s gums in a circular motion. 3-5 minutes is enough for massaging.

The timing of teething can characterize both the biological and passport age of the child. The process and timing of teething depend not only on inherited genetic parameters, that is, how they erupted in mom and dad, and even in ancestors in the seventh generation. The timing of teething can be influenced by external and internal factors. For example: climatic conditions, diet, quality of drinking water, etc. In this regard, the timing of the eruption of permanent teeth in children varies in different regions. The hotter the climate, the earlier teething usually occurs. Although this is also not an axiom.

Baby teeth usually begin to emerge at 6-8 months. A one-year-old baby, as a rule, celebrates his first birthday with four upper and lower incisors in his mouth. By the age of two, the first primary molars and canines erupt. Second primary molars appear after another six months. Complete formation of the primary dentition is usually completed at three years of age. By the age of three, a child should have grown all 20 baby teeth.

What to do if by 9 months your child has not yet erupted a single tooth? First of all, don’t worry ahead of time. Dentists consider a delay in the eruption of primary teeth within 6 months to be completely natural. At the same time, boys, as a rule, erupt teeth later than girls.

Start by carefully examining your baby's gums: it is very likely that they look swollen and reddened, or, on the contrary, the gums are thin and pale, and the edge of the tooth can be felt underneath and even visible. In order to speed up teething, buy special ring toys - teething stimulators. A light massage of the gums with a clean finger is also useful. Pressure on the gums facilitates and speeds up teething, and cold reduces discomfort.

Delays in teething can be caused by general growth retardation due to a number of child diseases, primarily rickets. Consult your pediatrician: your baby may need vitamins or calcium supplements to maintain normal mineral metabolism.

In rare cases, children have edentia - the absence of tooth buds. So if your baby is over a year old and his teeth have not yet begun to emerge, you should consult a dentist. You can check the presence of tooth germs using an x-ray. X-ray irradiation may be unsafe for a child’s body, so this study should be performed only when necessary and as prescribed by a doctor. Today it is possible to reduce the harmful effects of X-rays if you take a picture using a radiovisiograph. Such equipment is usually available in every modernly equipped dental clinic.

Symptoms of teething in a child.

How to determine that a child is already cutting his first tooth? Symptoms of a baby's first teeth erupting include red, inflamed gums, burning cheeks and, possibly, an already swollen white ball from which a tooth is about to emerge. True, he can make himself wait. Before being exposed, the tooth must first pass through the bone tissue that surrounds it, and then through the mucous membrane of the gums.

Is it necessary to somehow help teething? You should not interfere with the natural course of events, because nature has provided that children’s teeth are born independently, without special external efforts or additional devices. There is no need to irritate your baby's gums by scratching them with a piece of sugar or the handle of a spoon, as was done before. This can damage delicate baby teeth and cause infection in the jaw bone. Be careful with bagels, bread crusts, bagels: their crumbs can get stuck in the respiratory tract.

During a person’s life, 20 teeth change once, and the remaining 12 teeth do not change; they erupt initially as permanent teeth (molars).

Teething.
First (medial) lower incisors - 6-9 months.
First (medial) upper incisors - 7-10 months.
Second (lateral) upper incisors - 9-12 months.
Second (lateral) lower incisors - 9-12 months.
First upper molars - 12-18 months.
First lower molars - 13-19 months.
Upper canines - 16-20 months.
Lower canines - 17-22 months.
Second lower molars - 20-33 months.
Second upper molars - 24-36 months.

These tables are approximate. According to statistics, the first tooth in modern infants appears on average only at 8 and a half months. Thus, the timing of the eruption of other teeth is shifted. Dentists believe that the later the first tooth erupts, the later the baby teeth will begin to fall out and this is undoubtedly good. However, before the baby is one year old, at least one tooth must appear, otherwise the causes should be looked for in some diseases, for example, rickets. The first tooth can be paired with the second, and the same is true with subsequent teeth. It happens that a baby has 4 teeth at once. Naturally, such “massive” growth of teeth affects the timing of teething. The situation is also uncertain with the order in which teeth appear; you simply cannot influence this, so “don’t worry in vain,” because everything goes as nature intended.

By the age of three, all baby teeth erupt in a child, which by the age of 5 begin to gradually be replaced by permanent teeth.

There are 20 primary teeth in total: on each jaw there are 4 incisors (4 central teeth), 2 canines (third from the center or “eye” teeth) and 4 molars (fourth and fifth from the center “chewing” teeth).

By the age of 10-12 years there are 28 teeth.

An adult normally has 28-32 permanent teeth: each jaw has 4 incisors, 2 canines, 4 premolars and 4-6 molars. The development of the third molar (“wisdom tooth”) may not occur at all, with congenital edentia of the third molars, which is also considered normal. Another situation is also possible: a wisdom tooth is embedded in the thickness of the jaw, but does not erupt due to incorrect position or lack of space in the jaw. This situation occurs very often.

After all the baby teeth have erupted, there are no gaps (gaps, gaps) between them, which is normal. But as the jaw grows, before the baby teeth are replaced by permanent ones, gaps should appear between the baby teeth. This process is necessary because permanent teeth are larger in size than baby teeth and if spaces are not formed, then the permanent teeth do not fit in the jaws and the child receives “crooked” permanent teeth.

In parallel with the formation of spaces between temporary teeth, the roots of baby teeth are “reabsorbed”, after which the teeth alternately become loose and fall out. Nowadays there is even a fashion to buy a box made of gold or silver to store the first teeth.

There is no general opinion about the normal timing of teething, since scientific studies by different authors were carried out in different regions and in different years of the last and present century.

The child is teething. If it hurts a lot...

Teething may be accompanied by increased excitability: the child becomes restless, capricious, often wakes up crying at night, and may refuse to eat. At the same time, the baby will put any object in his mouth, since chewing reduces the itching of irritated gums. The secretion of saliva is sharply increased, which, flowing from the mouth, can cause skin irritation. Often, a limited area of ​​redness or rash appears on the cheek on the side of the erupting tooth. The child's temperature may rise to subfebrile levels (within 37.8°). However, fever does not necessarily accompany teething.

What remedies relieve pain? The simplest thing is cold. Cold relieves pain and reduces swelling. If this does not help, you can use dental gel or ointment containing anti-inflammatory and pain relievers to lubricate the gums. If necessary, you can give your child a pain reliever. Any medications should be used only as prescribed by a doctor.

During teething, one or another infection may develop. Therefore, if your baby develops symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, ear pain, diarrhea, cough, rash, persistent loss of appetite or high fever, you should consult a doctor.

What to do if teeth erupt at the wrong time?

Do nothing. There is no clear concept of “late teething”, or rather “timing of teething” is a relative generally accepted timing, and not strict data. These timing is determined by average values ​​and depends on neonatal (how the birth went) indicators, physical constitution, individual characteristics of the baby, etc. d. So, no matter what time teeth erupt, this particular period is normal for this child. By the way, the same applies to the eruption of permanent teeth and wisdom teeth. Only in rare cases of obvious pathologies can the eruption timing really be abnormal.

The later teeth erupt, the healthier they are?

Unfortunately, this is not the case - the timing of teething and their “quality” are in no way connected.

What sedatives can be used in children during teething? Do these drugs affect the teething process?

These drugs do not affect the teething process in any way. They have all been clinically tested and naturally have no side effects.

The only limitation is children with allergies, but there are special sedatives for them too. Almost all such gels contain lidocaine and inert fillers (menthol for cooling, flavoring agents and astringents). The following drugs can be recommended:

Dentinox
Kalgel is sweet, you should not use it if you have diathesis.
Kamistad is very effective, but must be used in moderation.
Mundizal
Holisal
"Solcoseryl" dental paste (available for external use, do not confuse it) - is especially effective if there are bleeding wounds or painful ulcers.
Dr. Baby – for lidocaine allergies

How often can soothing gels be used?

Soothing gels do not need to be used according to a specific regimen (such as antibiotics). If it hurts, you apply it, if it doesn’t hurt, don’t apply it. But don’t get too carried away, it’s better not to use it more than 3-4 times a day and more than 3 days in a row.

How to speed up teething?

No medication. A method proven over the years is a gentle massage of the gums. Gently massage the gums with a clean finger and the child will feel better, and the tooth will erupt a little faster. Just don’t press too hard, don’t injure yourself. Usually they give the child a cold spoon to suck on, but it is better to keep the pacifier in the refrigerator for a while and give it to the child. There are special teethers with coolant. Place in the refrigerator. Then you give it to the child to chew on. But not for long.

Can bad breath occur during teething and what is the reason for this?

During teething, the mucous membrane partially decomposes (lysis). Salivary enzymes play an active role in this process. As you know, the amount of saliva increases during teething. This is due specifically to the lysis process. This can actually change the viscosity, color and smell of saliva. In addition, saliva contains weak antibacterial substances that prevent infection of the wound formed during tooth eruption. Their active influence can also change the normal properties of saliva. A certain amount of blood also enters the oral cavity, and when it decomposes, a sour (metallic) odor may also arise.

What to do if the temperature rises sharply during teething?

A slight increase in temperature during teething is normal. But she won't be 39-40. If the temperature is very high, some kind of infection is to blame, and not the teeth themselves.
Caution: Teething should not cause high fever, diarrhea, vomiting, complete loss of appetite, cramps or choking. If you experience these symptoms, even if you think they are related to your teeth, consult your doctor. It is also not recommended to give a child an antipyretic and analgesic (syrup, suppositories) without consulting a doctor and at a body temperature below 38.5 C.

How can children distinguish between an increase in temperature during teething and an increase in temperature for some other reason? How long can a fever last during teething?

Everything is individual, but generally hyperthermia and diarrhea are only secondary signs of teething. For a very small organism, this is a severe physiological fracture. Now most pediatricians and physiologists admit that increased temperature during teething is most likely a reaction to inflammation of the oral mucosa. At the site where the teeth emerge, irritation forms, often a wound (from friction and due to lysis), and often the wound becomes infected. So the increase in temperature is not caused by the mechanism of tooth formation itself, but with complications. One of the arguments in favor of this opinion is that when permanent teeth erupt, despite the similarity of histological and physiological changes, such symptoms almost never occur.

The occurrence of cold and diarrhea symptoms is explained by a sharp change in diet and diet, constant foreign objects in the mouth and microflora disturbance, as well as a weakening of local immunity in the nasopharynx.

From this we can conclude that if the fever and loose stools continue for too long (more than 72 hours), then the reason most likely is not teething.

Possible features of teeth in children at the teething stage:

Expansion of spaces between teeth. It may reflect increased jaw growth and during the transition period from baby teeth to permanent teeth is regarded as a normal condition. A wide gap between the front incisors on the upper jaw is usually associated with a deep-lying maxillary frenulum. The tactics for monitoring and treating wide gaps between teeth are determined by an orthodontist.

A blackish edging on the neck of the tooth can be due to the use of soluble iron supplements or a chronic inflammatory process (precipitation of bacteria of the leptotrichium group);

Yellowish-brown staining of teeth is most often associated with the use of antibiotics by the mother in the second half of pregnancy or by the child during the period of teeth formation.

A yellowish-greenish color develops in severe disorders of bilirubin metabolism and hemolytic (destruction of red blood cells) conditions;

Reddish staining of tooth enamel is characteristic of a congenital disorder of pigment metabolism - porphyrin. This disease is called porphyria;

Malocclusions occur due to uneven growth of the jaws, due to prolonged sucking of the nipple;
Anomalies in the location of teeth occur for constitutional reasons (small jaw size), due to injuries, congenital disorders of connective tissue metabolism, and tumors of the alveolar process of the jaw.

The absence of teeth before 1 year of age is extremely rarely associated with edentia - the absence of their rudiments. You can check the presence of tooth germs using a special radiovisiography method prescribed by a pediatric dentist.

Atypical situations during teething in a child

Timely growth of teeth in a certain sequence indicates the normal development of the baby’s body. This is a physiological process and is directly related to the general health of the child. But let’s consider some atypical situations that may indirectly indicate the presence of pathology. However, only indirectly. Let us make a reservation once again that only careful research can confirm or refute these assumptions.

1) A delay in the timing of eruption (longer than 1-2 months from the norm) may be a consequence of rickets, an infectious disease, prolonged dysfunction of the intestines and changes in metabolism.
2) Earlier teething (before 1-2 months before normal) may indicate endocrine disorders.
3) Violation of the order, the absence of one or another tooth can also be the result of some anomalies in the child’s health (there are isolated cases when even the rudiments of teeth are missing) or be a consequence of diseases suffered by the mother during pregnancy.
4) The eruption of a tooth outside the arch of the dentition can be caused by an incorrect position of the tooth axis (horizontal or oblique).
5) Incorrect formation of the tooth itself - size, shape, position, color, lack of enamel coating, etc. The causes of these phenomena should be analyzed by a specialist.
6) The appearance of teeth even before birth. Such situations are extremely rare. Such teeth prevent the baby from sucking at the mother's breast; they are usually removed.

Here are some things to remember when teething:

Regularly rub your baby's face with a special towel to remove saliva and prevent skin irritation; it is better not to rub, but to gently blot the saliva so as not to cause irritation around the mouth.
Place a clean, flat cloth under the baby's head to absorb any drool. When the napkin gets wet, you won't have to re-make the sheet.

Give your child something to chew on. Make sure the item is large enough that your child won't swallow it or chew it into small pieces. A damp washcloth placed in the freezer for 30 minutes can be a good solution, just remember to wash it after each use. Special teething rings, which are sold in pharmacies, are also effective. If you use rings, do not freeze them until they are stone-cold to avoid damaging your weak gums. Never tie a teething ring around your baby's neck to avoid getting caught in the band. Gently massage your baby's gums with a clean finger.

Never put aspirin or other tablets on your teeth, or rub alcohol-containing solutions into your gums.
If your child is feeling unwell, paracetamol in pediatric dosage may help. BUT FIRST CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR!

When teeth appear, you need to start caring for them. A child up to 1-1.5 years old can brush his teeth once a day with a special soft plastic brush (put on the mother’s finger). In this case, it is convenient to sit the baby on your lap, with his back to you. For an older child, you can buy the first children's toothbrush of a comfortable size, with durable bristles. At this age, children imitate adults with pleasure, and the ritual of morning and evening brushing of teeth is easily established. It is clear that the baby is still playing with brushing his teeth, and while the mother is brushing them - it is most convenient to stand behind the baby in front of the mirror. From the age of two, you can teach your child to rinse his mouth with water (it would be good to do this every time after eating) and use children's toothpaste. You may have to try several brands of toothpaste before your baby is satisfied with the new taste.

Other measures to prevent caries (baby teeth are more fragile than permanent teeth and are affected in a shorter time!) include monitoring the amount of sweets in the child’s diet and avoiding sweet drinks (juices, sweet water) at night and at night.

Your child should see the dentist for the first time when he is a year old. However, if something bothers you - irregular teething, darkening of the tooth, stains on it, bad breath - consult a doctor as soon as possible. The health of baby teeth is the key to the proper formation and health of permanent teeth.

How to prevent tooth decay

1. Do not lick the pacifier or use a baby spoon to taste your baby's food. This will protect your baby's mouth from bacteria found in an adult's saliva.
2. If possible, reduce the sugar content in your child's diet. Offer water or natural juice instead of sweetened drinks, and never give sugary drinks as a sleep aid at night.
3. Teach your one-year-old baby to drink a few sips of water after eating, and after two years, to rinse his mouth after eating.
4. Bring your child to the dentist regularly for examinations. The first time this can be done is two years old. If problems arise earlier, do not delay going to the doctor. Check your child's teeth at least once every six months.
5. Try to prevent dental injuries. If the enamel is damaged, they are destroyed faster.
Strengthen your baby's teeth with a healthy menu. Include in your child's daily diet 10 - 20 g of hard cheese, a few tablespoons of seaweed, 5 - 6 raisins, 1 - 2 dried apricots, green and black tea (rich in fluoride).
6. The child should brush his teeth after every meal or at least twice a day, including always before bed.

Have you cut your teeth? It's time to clean

Immediately after teething, the child’s teeth are exposed to aggressive environmental influences. Microbes settle on the teeth, forming a film of plaque. Acids are actively produced in dental plaque. Under their influence, the enamel of baby teeth is easily destroyed and a carious cavity is formed.

Acid production occurs especially actively in the presence of sugar. Therefore, the cause of the development of caries in the first years of life is often an early transition to artificial feeding, especially if the child sucks sweet milk formulas or juices from a bottle for a long time.

You need to start regular oral care before teething. Using a moistened sanitary napkin placed on a clean finger, carefully wipe the mucous membrane of the cheeks and gums. Newly erupted incisors are also first wiped with a napkin.

In the second year of life, it is time to start using a toothbrush. Today there are special toothbrushes on sale - they are small and have especially soft bristles. For example, I can recommend the “My First Colgate” brush. Funny bright toys decorating the handle of this brush will form a positive attitude towards brushing your teeth in your child.

Until two years of age, we recommend that parents clean their baby’s teeth simply with a damp toothbrush. From the age of two you can start using toothpaste. It is best if it is a paste containing fluoride. However, it should be remembered that a small child tends to swallow toothpaste while brushing, so up to 6 years of age it is better to use children's toothpastes with a reduced fluoride content. For one-time brushing, it is enough to use a small amount of fluoride toothpaste - the size of a pea.

The risk of early development of caries is increased with insufficient fluoride content in drinking water. This situation occurs, for example, in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Children from 2 to 14 years old need compensation for the daily intake of fluoride into the body. Your child's pediatrician or pediatric dentist should determine the recommended daily dose of sodium fluoride tablets or drops for your child.