Teething in the baby
introduction
Teething is the breaking through of a person's first dental equipment.
The first teeth when teething are called milk teeth (dens deciduus or dens lactatis) and are replaced by permanent teeth in later life.
The term "milk teeth" can be traced back to the color of the teeth, because they have a white, slightly bluish shimmering color that is very similar to that of milk.
In contrast to the permanent denture this includes one when teething Babies erupting primary teeth only 20 teeth. But actually it is not so much the number of teeth, but rather their width and tooth root length that make a clear difference between permanent and deciduous teeth.
Just like permanent teeth, a baby's teeth can be divided into four quadrants, two per jaw. Each of these quadrants contains five milk teeth.
Procedure and duration of teething in the baby
The Development of teeth does not start with the breakthrough, but takes place much earlier, during pregnancy. Average in the 6th embryonic week that arises odontogenic epitheliumthat later for Toothed bar becomes. This goes through several stages and becomes Tooth bell. The individual structures, such as the Dentine, of the Enamel or that too cement, to develop.
The teeth remain in the jaw until the baby is born. A baby usually starts between the 6th to 8th month of life with teething, but this cannot be counted as a fixed time, because the first milk tooth can erupt significantly earlier or later in every baby. In boys, tooth eruption often begins a little later and for this reason ends much later.
As a rule, the eruption of the milk teeth is completed by the age of 30 months. The roots do not develop until about two years after all teeth have erupted. However, the duration of teething is individual for each baby. It can take more or less time on average. Furthermore, the time it takes a tooth from eruption to its final height can vary widely. It can be months here.
In many cases the first teeth take longer than the following ones. During the teething process, teething rings or various harder foods (apple, bread, or carrot pieces) can be given to the child to shorten the duration. It is also very important to take good care of the upcoming teeth to prevent any inflammation.
The eruption times of the individual teeth can vary greatly from child to child, but there is a specific order and an average eruption time. As a rule, the lower teeth erupt before the respective upper opposing teeth.
The first tooth to erupt is usually the middle lower incisor, followed by the middle upper incisor. On average, this happens between the 6th and 8th month. This is followed by the lateral incisors. This usually happens in the period from the 8th to the 12th month. The first molar comes between the 12th and 16th month. Between the 16th and 20th months, the canine slides between the lateral incisor and the first molar. The last tooth is the second molar. It breaks through in the 20th - 30th month of life.
Read more on the topic Teething of the molar in the baby
In most cases, teething is completely over by the age of 30 months and by the age of 3 the deciduous dentition is completely toothed. In this context, “toothing” means that all tooth crowns are in contact with the respective opposing tooth (antagonist). However, the complete interlocking of the upper and lower jaw does not mean that the milk teeth will stop growing from this point on.
In fact, the tooth roots of the individual teeth are not fully developed even after the age of three. Even after the last milk tooth has erupted, the tooth roots continue to increase in length.
As soon as the first milk tooth has erupted, you should start brushing your teeth in order to ensure the longest and healthy possible life of your teeth, as the milk teeth are an important placeholder for the subsequent permanent teeth. In the worst case, deciduous teeth that are lost too early can cause permanent teeth to break through in the wrong place, migrate or tilt. Orthodontic measures may therefore be necessary.
Find out more here: Dental care in the baby
At around 6 years of age, the eruption of the permanent teeth begins with the eruption of the first milk molar at the end of the row of teeth. It is through him that the first physiological bite elevation takes place.
It is not uncommon for a baby to be born partially dentate, in these cases it is so-called "dens connati"Or" witch's teeth, "which can cause irritation and inflammation of the nipples when breastfeeding.
The different types of milk teeth have an individual one Number of roots, accordingly the deciduous incisors and canines each have one root, the deciduous molars in the lower jaw two and the deciduous molars in the upper jaw even three roots. This is a common feature between the adult and the teeth of a baby, because the permanent teeth also have a different number of roots.
in the In the course of changing teeth it comes to Dissolving the roots of the milk teethFor this reason, the fallen milk teeth usually no longer have any roots. In contrast to the permanent tooth, the erupting tooth of a baby is very soft. This is due to the fact that the Enamel of a milk tooth is not yet fully developed. That is why milk teeth are much more susceptible to Cariesand need to be looked after more carefully.
During the first year of life, it is perfectly sufficient to brush the milk teeth only once a day, but the more teeth you have, the more frequent the teeth. Dentists recommend brushing your teeth with a fluoride-containing childrenahncreme. The fluoride content is lower than in normal toothpastes and therefore does not harm the child even if swallowed.
Signs
Teething does not start suddenly in a baby; in fact, the erupting teeth usually cancel one to two months before they emerge from the jawbone compete.
Typical signs are intense pressure and pain, which the baby can take with them. In this context, parents report about very restless children who often scream and cannot sleep or only inadequately sleep for many nights.
In addition, in many teething babies, the core body temperature rises, they develop fever.
The gums can swell and be extremely sensitive where a baby tooth breaks through.
Sometimes it can also be a slight redness the cheeks and the skin around the mouth come up, which is often of one skin rash lets think.
Read more about this at: Teething rash in the baby
Concomitant symptoms
Babies start getting their first teeth at an average of around 6 months. Breaking through the teeth is a slow and often uncomfortable process for the baby. This usually shows typical side effects. When babies begin to teething, red cheeks and swollen gums can occur as the new teeth make room in the jaw. This increases the blood circulation locally. As a side effect of teething, diarrhea and a high temperature often occur, as the pain during teething stresses the baby's body.
Read more on the topic: Diarrhea in the baby
The pain also leads to restless nights and impulsive, intense screaming. It can also lead to increased salivation and the babies are more likely to put objects and their own fingers in their mouths. Furthermore, the children have a reduced appetite and their general condition is very restless. The child may also rub their ear or cheek on the side where the tooth erupts. Some children have all of the typical symptoms and suffer significantly over the period of teething. Other children, on the other hand, don't seem to notice anything.
Read more on the topic: Problems falling asleep in the baby
Often times, parents also notice a bad smell coming out of the baby's mouth while the baby is teething.
Find out more at: Bad breath in the baby
Red cheeks
The red cheeks are a typical symptom of teething in babies. On the one hand, they are due to the child's increased temperature on average during teething. The reason for this is mostly due to infections that could break out due to the weakened immune system. On the other hand, there is an increased blood flow to the oral mucosa. Swelling and redness develop.
Pain
The resulting milk teeth have to make their way through the jaw and through the mucous membrane. The mucous membrane is squeezed. This can be very uncomfortable for the baby. The break-through of the tooth through the mucous membrane is the actual pain-causing process. It can also lead to bleeding. The child's pain is often expressed in impulsive, intense screaming and restless nights. Superficial ointments and creams that numb the oral mucous membrane locally and relieve pain are recommended for the night.
To avoid prolonged sleepless nights, paracetamol suppositories can be administered if necessary, which relieve pain. However, this should be discussed with the pediatrician beforehand.
fever
A typical concomitant symptom during teething is an increased temperature in the baby. This is often accompanied by reddened cheeks. The reason for this lies in the baby's temporarily weakened immune system. This means that it is not primarily the child's new teeth that are the cause of the fever, but an infection that has now broken out. As the immune system is weakened during the onset of teething, the children are more prone to infection.
Read more on the topic: Fever in baby
Diarrhea often occurs together with the fever. The fever usually goes down after a short time. If this is not the case, a pediatrician must be consulted. It is important to know that many different symptoms can appear during teething. From fever and diarrhea to rashes and a badly sore bottom. However, not every disease can be traced back to the new erupting teeth. You should not be afraid to see a pediatrician if you have the feeling that the baby is sick.
Find out more about this topic:
- Fever when teething
diarrhea
In many cases, diarrhea is a side effect of a teething baby. However, these diarrhea in and of itself has nothing to do with the coming teeth. From the quarter of a month, the mother's protection declines and the baby's immune system still needs to develop. Therefore, at the time of teething, it is weakened and the baby is especially prone to infection. These often lead to diarrhea, fever and loss of appetite. It can take up to four weeks for the intestines to recover. At this stage it is very important that the babies drink a lot.
Infants who are still breastfeeding can continue to be breastfed. Older children should also drink a lot. You should also eat light foods. These include grated apple, rusks or mashed banana. It is important that fatty foods are avoided. If the baby's diarrhea is accompanied by loss of appetite, unwillingness to drink, vomiting or sluggishness, a doctor must be consulted urgently.
Further warnings for breastfed babies are white stools or blood. Diarrhea that occurs due to infection at the time of teething is not atypical. However, if the above warnings or diarrhea persists, the child must undergo a medical examination.
Read more on the topic: Diarrhea while teething and Diarrhea in toddlers
skin rash
Rashes in the strict sense are not a typical side effect of the baby's teething. Teething babies often develop fever and diarrhea. The physical stress caused by the fever and diarrhea can lead to rashes. A rash at several places the body is however atypical. Red cheeks are an increasing symptom. This is perfectly normal.
If the baby shows loss of appetite, fatigue and unwillingness to drink in addition to the rash, it is recommended to see a doctor. A rash is generally not typical of teething. Causes can be, for example, allergies, drug intolerance or infections. An examination by the treating pediatrician can clarify the cause of the rash.
Wonder Po
A sore bottom in a teething baby is a common phenomenon. Can be a cause increasing moisture in the diaper be. This moisture can arise due to increased temperature. Diarrhea can also damage the skin in the diaper.
Bad breath
It is not uncommon for the parents to notice a slight to moderate bad breath in the baby during teething. This is due to the inflamed and swollen gums associated with teething. However, this bad breath usually only lasts for a short time. If it is persistent bad breath, the cause is usually different. First of all, proper oral hygiene for the baby is essential. Brushing your new, small teeth regularly is essential for a healthy mouth. The reason for the persistent bad breath could be the tonsils or tonsils. If these are swollen or irritated, the child prefers to breathe through the mouth. This creates a very dry mouth and can lead to bad breath. In any case, a pediatrician should be consulted if the bad breath persists.
Small bleeding in the mouth
When the teeth break through, they make their way through the mucous membrane of the alveolar ridge. The gums are squeezed and often swell up. At the swollen areas there is automatically a higher blood flow, as the body tries to use the blood to bring more cells to the location of the swelling. If the tooth breaks through the mucous membrane, it can lead to increased small bleeding. These are completely normal and usually don't last long.
First aid
In order to relieve the child's pain, parents can carefully cool the affected areas.
Many babies benefit from chewing something cold, such as a chilled teether.
A piece of frozen bread or a small piece of apple can also help relieve the pain. Very young children often run the risk of choking on small foods, so it is safer to offer the baby cold yogurt or applesauce.
Some children find it a relief to massage the gums gently, but parents should be careful not to put too much pressure on their fingers as this can be very uncomfortable for a teething baby.
If there are severe problems during teething, a pain reliever (e.g. paracetamol or Nurofen) can be administered in consultation with the pediatrician.
There are also special tooth gels that can slightly numb the soft tissues, helping to relieve pain.
Learn more about this under: Tooth gel
In addition, many pharmacies offer homeopathic preparations to support tooth eruption.
Read more on the topic: When are babies allowed to eat bread / crusts?
When should paracetamol suppositories be used?
If the restlessness increases and the child and the parents can no longer sleep at night, the child may be given paracetamol in the prescribed dose by means of a suppository, provided the child is at least 3 months old. The package insert should be read carefully. An alternative to paracetamol suppositories is ibuprofen. However, both must never be given together. You have to try to weigh up whether it is teething pain or another disease such as an ear infection. In this case, a conversation with the attending physician must take place.
Homeopathy and Globules
In addition to the usual remedies such as gels, ointments or teething rings, many parents like to use homeopathic remedies to make their child's teething easier. Homeopathy is based on the concept of activating the baby's self-healing powers. Babies always behave very differently during the teething period. There are different homeopathic remedies, each related to specific conditions in the child. The well-known globules are suitable for administration. A homeopath puts together the right homeopathic remedy based on the child's symptoms.
The globules can be given to the teething baby after a certain dose. The globules can either be placed sideways in the baby's cheek or dissolved in water. Most often, chamomile is prescribed for pain and anxiety in the child. However, if the child is very tearful or already has a fever, an individual remedy is prescribed.
Order of teething
With an age of about six months (between the 5. and the 8th month of life) babies start teething on average. They usually break first central lower incisors by. The following usually follow between the 8th and 10th month of life central upper incisors. The upper and lower lateral incisors appear in most cases between the 10th and 14th month of life. Follow you in 14th to 18th month of life the front molars. Often times, the canines in the upper and lower jaw protrude before between the At the age of 24 and 30 months, the upper and lower back molars appear.
I - right upper jaw -
1st quadrant (11-18)
II - left upper jaw -
2nd quadrant (21-28)
III - lower jaw left -
3rd quadrant (31-38)
IV - lower jaw right -
4th quadrant (41-48)
- 1. Incisor -
Dens incisivus I - 2nd incisor -
Dens incisivus II - Canine tooth -
Dens caninus - 1st molar tooth
Anterior tooth (premolar) -
Dens premoralis I. - 2. Anterior molar
Anterior tooth (premolar) -
Dens premoralis II - 1st molar tooth -
Dens molaris I - 2nd molar tooth -
Dens molaris II - Wisdom tooth (= 3rd molar) -
Dens molaris tertius
(Dens serotinus)
1st - 3rd are front teeth
(3 per quadrant)
4th - 8th are molars
(5 per quadrant)
You can find an overview of all Dr-Gumpert images at: medical illustrations
