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2005-05-29 18:12:25 UTC
This article may be used as long as it is not altered in any way and
the resource box having the link to my ebook is included at the end of
the article.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Title: Everything You Need To Know About Your Baby's Teething Process
The teething process can be a difficult period for both the baby and
the parents. The process starts at different ages depending on each
baby but usually by age of 3 most infants have their primary teeth in
place. If by one year your baby still has not got his first tooth it
would be wise to see your doctor and dentist.
There are 20 primary or "baby" teeth that every child has during
their lifetime, with ten in the upper jaw and ten in the lower.
Usually, the appearance of baby teeth is as follows: the upper and
lower incisors come first, then the upper lateral incisors come in a
few months later, followed shortly thereafter with the bottom lateral
incisors. The top and bottom molars are the next set to come through,
usually right around 18 months. The cuspids, or eyeteeth, usually
follow soon after the molars. At approximately two, to two and a half
years, the second set of molars will appear.
Usually there is no set order in which baby teeth appear - again this
depends on the individual baby. It is unusual for a child not to get
all twenty teeth.
Some babies can be born with a front tooth (this happens in about 1 in
every 2000 cases). In this even it is wise to consult a paediatric
dentist. This situation can affect the breastfeeding process so a
paediatric dentist should be consulted as soon as possible, especially
if you intend to breastfeed.
Here are the signs that your baby may be teething:
· Bulging gums - you'll be able to see the outline of the teeth as
they try and push through his gums.
· Nighttime crying and walking.
· More fuss than normal.
· "Clingy" behaviour.
· An increase in the amount of drooling seen.
· Chewing on fingers, teething rings, and other objects.
· Swollen, red, inflamed gums.
· Poor appetite.
· Interrupted sleep.
There is some debate about this, but it is now generally accepted that
teething will not cause fever, sleep issues or lower immunity to
infection.
Teething is very painful - if you have ever bitten the inside of your
cheek you know how painful this can be - now imagine a baby that is
used to a soft smooth surface (gums) and suddenly she has a hard and
sharp tooth pushing through her swollen gums. Generally it's the
first tooth that will cause the most discomfort.
When babies are going through the teething process they sometimes bring
their hands to their mouths - this brings some relief when the gums
have pressure applied to them. You can gently massage your baby to
reduce the discomfort of teething - clean your fingers and rub the
gums firmly - this may be uncomfortable for your baby initially but
she will get used to, and appreciate, the massage the more you do it.
Give your baby something cool to chew on - this again provides relief
for a little time. Wet washcloths (you can soak this in apple juice if
you wish) that have been left in the freezer for 30 minutes or so -
can be given to your baby to chew. Just remember, whatever you use make
sure that your baby cannot choke on it. Other things that your baby can
chew on include a chilled banana or an iced Popsicle. An old wives tale
remedy recommends that you dab some alcohol on your baby's gums -
it is strongly recommended that you do NOT do this.
While primary teeth will at one stage be replaced by the permanent
teeth, they are very important for several reasons - including
chewing and speech. Once these teeth are in, you can clean them with a
special baby toothbrush.
Be sure to never allow your baby to fall asleep with a bottle. This
will lead to tooth decay. Whether a baby is bottle fed or nursed, he
will be vulnerable to "baby bottle tooth decay". Such decay occurs
when freshly sprouted baby teeth are exposed to liquids containing
sugars (basically, anything other than water) for long periods of time.
Bacteria in the mouth will grow in the sugar, which attack the tooth
enamel and cause cavities. The best treatment for "baby bottle tooth
decay" is prevention. Don't let your baby use a bottle as a pacifier
or fall asleep with a bottle containing anything but water. Also, be
sure to gently clean his teeth and gums after each feeding.
You may also see some teething symptoms - on the whole these are
fairly harmless. For example, drool rash where a red rash can be seen
on the face, lips, chin and chest. This can be washed with warm water
and a cloth and your doctor may prescribe a lanolin ointment as
treatment for this. Sometimes other symptoms can include mild diarrhoea
and a cough caused by excess saliva dripping down the baby's throat.
Here are some good tips to use to care for your baby's teeth:
· Clean your baby's mouth before the teething process. You can wipe
the gums after each feeding with a warm, wet washcloth.
· Take good care of the teeth once they start to come in. Some parents
wrongly believe that because primary teeth are eventually replaced they
are not that important - this is false as they preserve the space for
the permanent teeth, not to mention help with chewing and talking.
· Actively watch for cavities - if you spot any discolouration or
pitting then they could be signs of cavities. Try and avoid putting
your baby to sleep with milk (or even worse sweet juice) as it could
lead to cavities. In addition follow up meals with water as this helps
to wash off most infant foods quite easily.
· Introduce a toothbrush as soon as possible. In addition you should
monitor your baby's fluoride intake as this can help prevent tooth
decay. It's also important to schedule a dental check up for your
baby - shortly after the first year is a good time for the first
visit.
Creating good dental practice from the start will help ensure that you
baby continues good dental hygiene for years into the future.
author: keziah.engineer.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Discover the ground-breaking new baby care book that teaches you
absolutely everything you need to know about your newborns crucial
first year of life:
http://www.global-ebooks.com/babybook.htm
the resource box having the link to my ebook is included at the end of
the article.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Title: Everything You Need To Know About Your Baby's Teething Process
The teething process can be a difficult period for both the baby and
the parents. The process starts at different ages depending on each
baby but usually by age of 3 most infants have their primary teeth in
place. If by one year your baby still has not got his first tooth it
would be wise to see your doctor and dentist.
There are 20 primary or "baby" teeth that every child has during
their lifetime, with ten in the upper jaw and ten in the lower.
Usually, the appearance of baby teeth is as follows: the upper and
lower incisors come first, then the upper lateral incisors come in a
few months later, followed shortly thereafter with the bottom lateral
incisors. The top and bottom molars are the next set to come through,
usually right around 18 months. The cuspids, or eyeteeth, usually
follow soon after the molars. At approximately two, to two and a half
years, the second set of molars will appear.
Usually there is no set order in which baby teeth appear - again this
depends on the individual baby. It is unusual for a child not to get
all twenty teeth.
Some babies can be born with a front tooth (this happens in about 1 in
every 2000 cases). In this even it is wise to consult a paediatric
dentist. This situation can affect the breastfeeding process so a
paediatric dentist should be consulted as soon as possible, especially
if you intend to breastfeed.
Here are the signs that your baby may be teething:
· Bulging gums - you'll be able to see the outline of the teeth as
they try and push through his gums.
· Nighttime crying and walking.
· More fuss than normal.
· "Clingy" behaviour.
· An increase in the amount of drooling seen.
· Chewing on fingers, teething rings, and other objects.
· Swollen, red, inflamed gums.
· Poor appetite.
· Interrupted sleep.
There is some debate about this, but it is now generally accepted that
teething will not cause fever, sleep issues or lower immunity to
infection.
Teething is very painful - if you have ever bitten the inside of your
cheek you know how painful this can be - now imagine a baby that is
used to a soft smooth surface (gums) and suddenly she has a hard and
sharp tooth pushing through her swollen gums. Generally it's the
first tooth that will cause the most discomfort.
When babies are going through the teething process they sometimes bring
their hands to their mouths - this brings some relief when the gums
have pressure applied to them. You can gently massage your baby to
reduce the discomfort of teething - clean your fingers and rub the
gums firmly - this may be uncomfortable for your baby initially but
she will get used to, and appreciate, the massage the more you do it.
Give your baby something cool to chew on - this again provides relief
for a little time. Wet washcloths (you can soak this in apple juice if
you wish) that have been left in the freezer for 30 minutes or so -
can be given to your baby to chew. Just remember, whatever you use make
sure that your baby cannot choke on it. Other things that your baby can
chew on include a chilled banana or an iced Popsicle. An old wives tale
remedy recommends that you dab some alcohol on your baby's gums -
it is strongly recommended that you do NOT do this.
While primary teeth will at one stage be replaced by the permanent
teeth, they are very important for several reasons - including
chewing and speech. Once these teeth are in, you can clean them with a
special baby toothbrush.
Be sure to never allow your baby to fall asleep with a bottle. This
will lead to tooth decay. Whether a baby is bottle fed or nursed, he
will be vulnerable to "baby bottle tooth decay". Such decay occurs
when freshly sprouted baby teeth are exposed to liquids containing
sugars (basically, anything other than water) for long periods of time.
Bacteria in the mouth will grow in the sugar, which attack the tooth
enamel and cause cavities. The best treatment for "baby bottle tooth
decay" is prevention. Don't let your baby use a bottle as a pacifier
or fall asleep with a bottle containing anything but water. Also, be
sure to gently clean his teeth and gums after each feeding.
You may also see some teething symptoms - on the whole these are
fairly harmless. For example, drool rash where a red rash can be seen
on the face, lips, chin and chest. This can be washed with warm water
and a cloth and your doctor may prescribe a lanolin ointment as
treatment for this. Sometimes other symptoms can include mild diarrhoea
and a cough caused by excess saliva dripping down the baby's throat.
Here are some good tips to use to care for your baby's teeth:
· Clean your baby's mouth before the teething process. You can wipe
the gums after each feeding with a warm, wet washcloth.
· Take good care of the teeth once they start to come in. Some parents
wrongly believe that because primary teeth are eventually replaced they
are not that important - this is false as they preserve the space for
the permanent teeth, not to mention help with chewing and talking.
· Actively watch for cavities - if you spot any discolouration or
pitting then they could be signs of cavities. Try and avoid putting
your baby to sleep with milk (or even worse sweet juice) as it could
lead to cavities. In addition follow up meals with water as this helps
to wash off most infant foods quite easily.
· Introduce a toothbrush as soon as possible. In addition you should
monitor your baby's fluoride intake as this can help prevent tooth
decay. It's also important to schedule a dental check up for your
baby - shortly after the first year is a good time for the first
visit.
Creating good dental practice from the start will help ensure that you
baby continues good dental hygiene for years into the future.
author: keziah.engineer.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Discover the ground-breaking new baby care book that teaches you
absolutely everything you need to know about your newborns crucial
first year of life:
http://www.global-ebooks.com/babybook.htm