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Teething

Teething baby

Last updated: 09 February 2012

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What is Teething

Teething starts in babies at around six months, but can happen later or earlier, and occasionally babies are even born with a first tooth in place.

It can cause distress to some babies, who cry and whimper more than usual and may be reluctant to feed.

The first teeth to emerge are usually the lower front two, followed by the opposite upper pair, and you should start cleaning them with a soft baby toothbrush and a small blob of toothpaste as soon as they start breaking through the gums.

Most toddlers have all their teeth by the age of two and a half.

What are the symptoms of Teething?

The first thing you'll see is a whitish bump on the gum, and your baby may dribble more than usual. Other signs she's teething may include:

- putting his hands and anything you hand him into his mouth
- grumbling and whingeing as if uncomfortable
- having red, flushed-looking cheeks without a fever
- crying more than usual during the night
- an upset tummy or nappy rash, caused by swallowing the extra saliva produced in response to teething
- refusing feeds or fussing during feeds.

If your baby has any of these symptoms with a fever, consult your GP as teething doesn't cause illness and there is probably an underlying infection.

What are the treatments and remedies of Teething?

There are over-the-counter preparations you can try for teething, including anaesthetising gels specifically formulated for infants and homeopathic powders; you'll soon discover whether or not they help your baby. Other than these, offering infant paracetamol to ease discomfort is really the only other treatment. You can help ease the symptoms by offering your baby a chilled (not frozen) gel-filled teething ring; giving her hardish foods to chew on, such as rusks or toast or cool foods like sticks of cucumber and yogurt (always with supervision in case of choking). Try offering chilled expressed breast milk or formula instead of warmed, and smear a little petroleum jelly along his lower lip and chin to prevent saliva from making the skin sore.

If you are experiencing sleepless nights and a drooling baby let us introduce you to Nelsons Teetha teething granules, a homeopathic medicine for the relief of the symptoms of teething.

Nelsons Teetha is a ready-dosed granule that simply dissolves in your baby's mouth where it gently helps to ease the pain of teething and relieves discomfort.
Filled into 24 individual sachets, Teetha’s pleasant-tasting, ready-dosed granule format allows for easy administration especially convenient when you are out and about.

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