Teething, Thumbs, & Pacifiers
Teething
“Teething” is when a child’s teeth erupt into the mouth. It’s uncomfortable for many children. Symptoms can include a slight fever, an increase in drooling and saliva, ear pulling, and constant chewing on any available object.
So what can you do?
To reduce discomfort during teething, give the child frozen teething toys, or try cold or frozen foods such as bagels or carrots. The cold helps decrease the pain and reduce the inflammation, and the hardness will hasten the eruption of the tooth.
Thumbs and Pacifiers
When it comes to thumbs and pacifiers, there’s a lot to know and a lot you can do. First and foremost, know it’s normal for babies and children to suck on any object that’s placed near their mouth, thumbs and pacifiers included. It’s how babies learn and receive nutrition, and find safety and comfort.
The things to keep in mind when it comes to thumbs and pacifiers are that if over-used, children could experience dental problems like protruding teeth or teeth that don’t erupt properly.
We encourage all parents and caregivers to monitor the sucking habits of children, especially around the time that the permanent teeth erupt. The pediatric dentist will provide important dental health information, and inform your child about the long-term consequences of this habit.
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