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Teething Aids

Something babies can sink their teeth into

OK, so you've changed your twins' diapers, fed them, made sure they have plenty of sleep, and they're still fussing. You're at your wit's end. Well, if your little ones are somewhere in the neighborhood of four to six months old, chances are that crankiness is a result of cutting their first tooth. It can be hard work -- especially for someone who's too tiny to understand where all that discomfort is coming from. But teething pain is not completely unmanageable, especially if you know when to start expecting it. Don't wait to see that first tooth break through; by then, the hardest part is over. And baby will finally have something to smile about.

Take a Bite Out of Teething Pain

Sometimes all it takes to soothe a baby's gums is something to chew on. So before you resort to anything medicinal, get creative with other possibilities. Try giving your child a frozen bagel to gnaw on, a chilled wet washcloth, a slightly thawed teething ring, or a baby bottle with a little cool water. Don't discourage your baby from chewing on the edge of the crib, a favorite toy, or even a favorite finger. Sometimes that's all the relief needed.

Remember that teething pain is heightened when a baby sucks, so feeding time can be hard. Gently massaging the gums with your finger can help your child feed more comfortably. A topical anesthetic can help give temporary relief, but don't expect it to last long. Babies' mouths produce a healthy amount of saliva and that usually diminishes a product's effect rather quickly. Sometimes just the rubbing action of applying the medication provides relief enough.

Topical anesthetics

Topical anesthetics dull the pain and irritation your baby may experience from growing new teeth. They work directly on the sensory nerves when applied, numbing pain and all other sensations. Caution is necessary when using topical anesthetics because they can have adverse effects when too much is used.

Counterirritants

Counterirritants distract from feelings of pain by creating cooling and/or warming sensations. No one is sure how this is accomplished, but it is thought that either the sensation produced from counterirritants masks pain or stimulates neurons to lower the capacity to feel pain.

Topical Anesthetics
Ingredient
Description
Benzocaine?Quickly and safely relieves sore gums in infants.
Counterirritants
Ingredient
Description
Phenol?Effectively relieves sore gums in infants and is safe in low concentrations.

Appropriate Uses

Teething easers

Temporarily numbs and relieves pain from sore gums in teething infants and children older than age 4 months.

Soothing Painful Little Gums

  • Apply sparingly with swab or small piece of cotton to affected gums.
  • Pain relief should last five to 10 minutes.
  • Cold or frozen teething rings may provide relief of some symptoms.

Use Very Cautiously

  • Do not use if the baby is allergic to benzocaine or phenol.
  • Do not administer if the baby has any infection, canker sores, or other sores in the mouth.
  • Do not administer if the baby is taking sulfa medication or medication for myasthenia gravis.
  • Do not administer to a baby under age 4 months.
  • Do not apply more than four times daily.
Note: Fever, nasal congestion, and listlessness are not symptoms of teething or side effects of topical anesthetics. They may indicate the presence of an infection that requires medical attention.

If It Fits in the Mouth, Don't Use It

  • Make sure any teething rings or toys are large enough so they will not get caught in a baby's mouth and cause a choking hazard.

Websites, Organizations & Manufacturers
Sources & Further Reading

Books

1. Food & Drug Administration.Federal Register 5/13/92; 9/24/91.
2. Covington, TR; RR Berardi, LL Young, SC Kendall, MJ Hickey.Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs. American Pharmaceutical Association, Washington DC, 1996.
Find more books on health and wellness at barnesandnoble.com.
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