Baby teeth development and teething can be the cause of a temporary sleep challenge for many families. I connected with Parminder, a local toddler Mom and Dentist to help answer some common questions families have related to baby teeth and teething for their children.
White Pine Family Dentistry is located on the Hamilton Mountain and proudly owned by a dedicated husband and wife duo. Our mission is to provide a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere for all of our patients. From babies to seniors, our friendly and compassionate team provides care for the entire family, tailoring dental care to match your unique needs and goals.
What are common signs a family may see in their baby when they’re teething? When does teething pain/discomfort typically happen?
Every child is different, some may not show any signs, while others may show a few! Common symptoms include tender gums, fussiness, wanting to chew on hard things, and lots of drool! Myths about teething are that it can cause a fever or diarrhea. Teething may raise body temperature but it does not cause an actual fever which is 100.4 or higher. Teething discomfort typically occurs for about a week before the tooth erupts. Once the tooth erupts, their teething pain will stop!
On average, when does a baby’s first tooth erupt? When will other teeth erupt?
The lower central incisors typically erupt between 6-10 months. Some kids can be earlier or a little later. My daughter’s first teeth erupted around 5 months. Both of Chelsea’s children had their first teeth erupt around 4 months.
When should a family be concerned about their child’s teething pattern?
If your child has not had any teeth erupt by 18 months of age, you should make an appointment with your dentist.
Do you have any recommendations for how to navigate teething pain?
Rubbing their gums with a clean finger or using a cold teether toy typically works best to relieve some teething pain. It’s not recommended to use topical teething gels.
When should a family start brushing their baby’s teeth/gums?
You can start brushing their gums before their teeth erupt so they get used to the feeling! You can use a silicone finger brush for this and do it around the same time everyday so your baby gets used to it as part of their routine. Once they have their first tooth, use a small, soft-bristled toothbrush. All milks, including breastmilk, have sugars that we do not want sitting on their teeth. For nighttime feedings when toothbrushing is not practical, try wiping your baby’s teeth with a damp cloth or gauze. I know sometimes brushing’s not going to happen, and I don’t want to contribute more to “mom guilt,” just try your best to do it once a day!
When should baby toothpaste be introduced?
- Ages 0-3, use a rice grain-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste. We are currently using Tom’s Silly Strawberry Fluoride Toothpaste for our 16 month old daughter.
- Ages 3-6: use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
When should a family visit a dentist for the first time? What can families expect at a first dental visit?
It’s recommended to see a dentist within 6 months of their first tooth erupting. This is for 3 main reasons:
- To establish a positive dental home early which can significantly reduce dental anxiety that kids can develop later into childhood and even into adulthood.
- To give us the opportunity to discuss strategies with parents and caregivers to care for their little one’s teeth so we can prevent cavities!
- Dentists can find problems right away and fix them before they get worse.
We understand how difficult it can be to take small children to their appointments so these initial visits with your little ones will typically be 30 minutes or less!
If using a pacifier, when would you recommend stopping the use of a pacifier as it relates to impact on teething, mouth shape, etc.?
It’s recommended to wean from pacifiers by ages 2-3 to reduce risks of malocclusion (teeth misalignment).
If a baby/child sucks their thumb during wake time, when should a family begin to reduce the frequency of this?
Try to intervene or reduce thumb sucking by age 3 to reduce risks of malocclusions.
When can a family expect their child’s first tooth to fall out? In your professional opinion, how much does a tooth fairy give for a first tooth ;)
Most kids will lose their first tooth between the ages of 5-7. The tooth fairy told me she usually gives $0.25-$1 for most teeth. If she’s feeling extra generous, she sometimes give up to $5 for a big molar or the very last baby tooth :)
How can a family contact you for questions about their child’s teeth and booking an initial appointment?
To make an appointment, please call 905-575-4404, email hello@mydentisthamilton.com, or fill out our online form at www.mydentisthamilton.com
We hope this blog supports your family’s teething and parenting journey.
Chelsea and Parminder
Chelsea is Mom of 2 and a Certified Baby, Toddler and Child Sleep Consultant with advanced certification in Infant and Early Mental Health and Pediatric Sleep Health. She supports families within Hamilton and beyond with hands-on, no cry-it-out, responsive methods. She has a Master’s of Professional Education (specialization in Applied Behaviour Analysis) and over 10 years of professional experience supporting families in the community. Chelsea works collaboratively with families to empower them with the confidence and tools they need to reach their unique sleep goals. Hear from rested families here and book a free call with Chelsea here to discuss how she can support your family’s journey to more sleep.