The path to an adorable baby smile, with the first "mouse teeth" peeking out, can be quite painful for some children. Others walk this path light-footedly and without much effort. As with all other stages of development, teething (dentition in medical jargon) is a very individual process. Therefore, no one can predict what "side effects" your child will have to deal with.
It's not for nothing that all kinds of support is available in the shops to help children with teething, for example in the form of teething gels, teething rings, globules, etc. (more on this below). I always advise parents: above all, stay calm when your child is teething - and always be close to them!
And one more thing first, because I've been asked this question several times: Yes, you can definitely continue breastfeeding even after your baby has started teething. If you latch your baby on correctly, it will push its tongue over its lower chewing ridge when sucking, so that the lower milk teeth don't even come into contact with your breast. In addition, most mothers do not experience any pain when the first teeth break through at the top of the upper jaw.
When do the first teeth appear?
The first milk teeth are already in place in the unborn baby's jaw in mum's womb. One in 2,000 to 3,000 babies is born with an erupted mini tooth. This freak of nature is sometimes called a "witch's tooth" - but you can forget about that right away! Whether it makes sense to remove the early tooth, for example if it is loose or sharp-edged, depends on the individual circumstances. A paediatric dental consultation can help here.
Most children are between five and seven months old when their first teether appears. However, individual variations are also possible here.
As a rule, the front incisors come through first, usually in the lower jaw. This is followed by the two upper incisors before the teeth to the left and right of them. These eight milk teeth are usually complete by around the first birthday. This is followed by the front molars and then the canines. Finally, the back molars complete the milk teeth. Your child is between two and three years old when all 20 milk teeth are in place.
How does teething make itself felt?
When milk teeth push through the gums, it can be painful for the little ones. About four days before a tooth erupts (and four days after), the jawbone tightens. The gums are red, often sore and swollen. A whitish thickening at the eruption site heralds the coming tooth.
Externally, the baby's cheeks are often red, especially on the affected side. Noticeably strong salivation also indicates the arrival of a new tooth. Some children also tend to have a sore bottom during the teething phase.
The baby is naturally uncomfortable with the feelings of tension and pain. Accordingly, it can now become restless, fussy and whiny. It instinctively pushes its little fingers and all kinds of objects into its mouth and chews on them. This counter-pressure compensates for or alleviates the pain. Your child may now also have less appetite and sleep less well. But this will pass.
Some children also react to teething with a slight fever or diarrhoea. Experts disagree as to whether this is actually due to the teething process itself or to the increased number of germs that now enter the mouth, precisely because the baby puts everything in its mouth. In any case, baby's immune system must now be working at full speed.
This may or may not be the case. In some children, a new tooth appears from one day to the next, with little or no "advance notice".
What helps with teething discomfort?
Cool objects to bite into: A teething ring or spoon that the baby can "chew on" is as effective as it is simple. The pain-relieving effect increases when the object is cooled. But be careful: please do not put the objects in the freezer beforehand, otherwise the child may even suffer frostbite! Simply cool teething rings or spoons in the fridge for a short time.
Lots of proximity: Especially important for your children in this sensitive phase: more cuddles with mum and dad, their understanding for whining, crying and whining as well as their comforting presence! A little distraction through play or a more frequent walk in the fresh air can also help.
Homeopathy: Although the effectiveness of homeopathic remedies is always under discussion, many parents report good experiences with globules for the symptoms of a teething child. There are various homeopathic active ingredients that can be used when teething, such as chamomilla, calcium phosphoricum, belladonna or magnesium phosphoricum. However, it is best to seek advice from your midwife or paediatrician on the exact dosage and administration. In any case, make sure that the maximum daily dose is not exceeded.
Which products are better to avoid?
Violet root: Because it is good for the child to chew on something, violet root is sometimes recommended for this purpose. Its ingredients are said to have a pain-relieving and anaesthetic effect. However, experts advise against this because there is a high risk of the roots being contaminated with germs. The child would then absorb these germs through the oral mucosa. And even boiling the violet root is no guarantee of hygienic cleanliness.
Teething gel: Caution should also be exercised with the so-called teething gels that are commercially available. A recent study has shown that many gels contain harmful ingredients. For example, they were found to contain alcohol, sugar and lidocaine (an anaesthetic!). In addition, some gels only have a short-term effect on the surface.
Amber necklaces: Some parents also swear by special amber necklaces for their teething child. Worn under clothing, these necklaces are said to have a pain-relieving effect. However, this effect is neither scientifically nor empirically proven. There is also a risk of babies or small children injuring their mouths, catching infections or swallowing beads - with potentially devastating consequences such as choking. A child can also strangle itself on the necklace. If you still want to try an amber necklace, you should definitely choose a necklace where the beads are individually knotted and which has a clasp that opens automatically when it is pulled. As soon as you are no longer supervising your child, e.g. when they go to sleep, you should definitely take the necklace off.
Time for dental care!
Some parents get their child used to dental care even before the first tooth appears. But by the time the first milk tooth appears, it's time for baby's dental care. Use a special soft children's toothbrush, a finger toothbrush, a cloth or cotton buds to gently clean the first baby teeth. This will not only get your child used to brushing their teeth every day, but will also help them fight tooth decay bacteria from the very beginning. Even if the milk teeth fall out later, they are still placeholders for the permanent teeth. And once the first teeth are affected by tooth decay, this also makes the permanent teeth that follow more susceptible to damage.
Time for a visit to the dentist
When the first tooth has erupted, it is a good time to take your child to the dentist for the first time. This helps the child to get used to these visits.
