| Starting at about 4-5 months
onwards, you may notice the symptoms of teething. By approximately 7-8 months of age, the
child is teething tirelessly. If there are no teeth present by 12 months of age, then one
must seek professional advice. Chart |
 |
Upper Teeth
|
Primary Erupt
|
Permanent Erupt |
| Central Incisor |
8 - 12 months |
7 - 8 years |
| Lateral Incisor |
9 - 13 months |
8 - 9 years |
| Canine ( Cuspid ) |
16 - 22 months |
11 - 12 years |
| First Premolar |
|
10 - 11 years |
| Second Premolar |
|
10 - 12 years |
| First Molar |
13 - 19 months |
6 - 7 years |
| Second Molar |
25 - 33 months |
12 - 13 years |
| Third Molar |
|
17 - 21 years |
Lower Teeth |
Primary Erupt |
Permanent Erupt |
| Third Molar
|
|
n 17 - 21 years |
| Second
Molar |
23 - 31
months |
11 - 1
3 years |
| First
Molar |
14 - 18
months |
6
- 7 years |
| Second Molar
|
|
n 11 - 12 years |
| First Premolar
|
|
n 10 - 12 years |
| Canine
(Cuspid) |
17 -
23 months |
9 - 10 years |
| Lateral
Incisor |
10 -
16 months |
7-8 years |
| Central
Incisor |
6 - 10
months |
6 - 7 years |
Children's Teeth
Children's teeth begin forming before birth. As early as 4 months, the first
primary or baby teeth to erupt through the gums are, the lower central incisors. The pace
and eruption varies with every child. By the time the child is 3 years old, about 20
primary teeth have erupted.
Oral care should begin soon after birth. Gums must be cleaned after every feeding. You can
begin brushing your child's teeth as soon as they appear.
Permanent teeth appear around the age of 6 years, the first ones being the molars and
lower central incisors. This process continues approximately up to the age of 21 years.
Adults have 28 permanent teeth or upto 32 including the third molars (wisdom teeth).
Symptoms of teething :
| 1. |
Crying more than usual. |
| 2. |
Dribbling increases. |
| 3. |
Chewing on fingers and rubbing the
mouth. |
| 4. |
Swollen and red gums. |
| 5. |
Loose bowel movements - but should
be diarrhoea. |
| 6. |
Pulling on ears. |
| 7. |
Refusal to suck on breast or
bottle. |
| 8. |
There will be no fever. |
Causes :
The new teeth grow upwards towards the surface of the gums and break through the skin
causing pain and discomfort.
Treatment for relieving discomfort of teething
Traditional Treatment :
There are certain things which can be done to relieve the discomfort due to teething.
| 1. |
Gently massage the swollen gums
with one of your clean fingers. |
| 2. |
Give your child something cold to
gnaw or a chilled teething ring. |
| 3. |
A wet washcloth frozen for 30
minutes is also helpful to relieve pain. |
| 4. |
Do not use whiskey, lotion, or
ointment to reduce the teething pain. They may contain an agent that can numb the throat
and cause the baby to choke. |
| 5. |
Use a mild pain reliever drug to
reduce the pain. |
| 6. |
Avoid hard, salty and acid foods. |
Alternative / Natural Treatment :
Herbal Therapies - Certain
herbal remedies are recommended for inflamed gums. A professional advise is necessary
before using it.
Homeopathy -
Homeopathic teething remedies are available in the form of over the counter drugs like
Chamomilla, which is a useful remedy for teething children. However you should first
consult your doctors before giving any medication.
Lifestyle - When your child begins
teething, start cleaning the teeth with a soft toothbrush. This will get the baby used to
good oral hygiene from an early age. Give your baby a toothbrush as a try when the teeth
first come through.
When to seek professional advice :
| a. |
When there are other symptoms such
as diarrhoea, fever or chills. |
| b. |
When no teeth are present by 12
months of age. |
