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Teething

First teeth
The first tooth to appear is usually a front tooth in the lower gum, but exactly when it will appear will vary. Some babies still have no teeth at around a year old. Most children will have all their milk teeth by the age of two and a half, however.

There are 20 milk teeth, ten at the top and ten at the bottom. Some babies don’t have any problems with teething; others become fretful, dribble a lot and have red cheeks.

Teething shouldn’t make a baby ill, so if you are worried, check with your health visitor or doctor.

Teething tips

• babies who are teething like to bite on something hard such as a teething ring; these may be more soothing if chilled in the fridge for a few hours (but not frozen)
• your baby may also like to try chewing a dried crust of bread, or a scrubbed carrot; always stay close in case your baby bites off a bit and chokes
• avoid sugary rusks and biscuits as sugar is bad for teeth
• rubbing your baby’s gums with a clean finger can help
• pat his face dry with a soft clean cloth if he dribbles a lot, so that his skin doesn’t become sore
• teething gels, which you can buy from the chemist, may help but keep a watch, they can cause allergies in some babies
• paracetamol or ibuprofen liquid may help if your baby is very distressed by teething. Some paracetamol medicines are suitable from 2 months, and some ibuprofen medicines from 3 months so always read the label of the medicine to check it is suitable for your baby.

Order in which teeth usually appear:

Avoiding tooth decay
Babies who have sweets or sugary drinks every day are far more likely to develop tooth decay, which can be very painful as well as unsightly.

You can help stop your baby developing tooth decay:

• don’t give your baby sugary drinks in a bottle; introduce a cup for drinks at around six months and drop bottle drinks completely by one year
• don’t add sugar to foods you prepare yourself; use only the smallest amount if you need to make sour fruit tastier
• don’t give sugary drinks at bedtime or during the night
• ask your friends and relatives not to give your baby sweet things
• keep sweet foods to a minimum
• don’t offer sugary foods and drinks between meals; offer cooled, boiled water as a drink.

Few parents can resist the demands for sweet things completely, but remember that it is very easy for a baby to eat too much sugar.

Teeth cleaning
Clean your baby's teeth and gums regularly as soon as he has any teeth. Do this twice a day using a soft brush and just a smear of baby toothpaste.
Baby toothpastes are specially formulated with lower levels of fluoride than adult toothpastes. However, ideally these toothpastes should still contain no less than and no more than 1,000 parts per million of fluoride, so check the packaging.

Fluoride facts
Fluoride is a chemical which can strengthen a baby's teeth while they are forming. In some areas it is added to the tap water to help prevent tooth decay. Never give fluoride supplements without consulting your health visitor or doctor as too much fluoride can discolour teeth permanently.

Angie’s dessert tip
‘Instead of adding sugar, I’d mix foods to combine sweet or bland tastes with sharper ones; for example, stewed plums with some natural yoghurt, or apricots with baby rice. I also used to give a piece of fresh fruit for dessert sometimes instead of a sweet pudding.’

For the next You and your growing baby guide Chapter, Your 7-month old, Click here