How Long Does Teething Last?

Your little one's first tooth is an important and exciting milestone for any parent. But, their newly toothy grin may also bring some discomfort and make parents ask what they can do about it.

If your baby's first tooth erupted, now it's the time to schedule their first pediatric dentistry appointment with Water Valley Dental. Your Windsor pediatric dentist will teach you and show you how to take care of your baby's teeth and how to ease their discomfort when they are in pain.

But, how long does teething last exactly?

When Will My Baby's Teeth Start Erupting?

Each baby is unique and develops at their own pace. Some babies will get their first tooth at around four months old while others won't get any until they are nine months or even older and then they will get several teeth at once. By the time they are two years old, your little one should have all their 20 milk teeth.

Of course, that doesn't mean that your child will actually be in discomfort from the moment their first tooth emerges until the last one is out. The only time your baby will be in pain is when the tooth is actually breaking through the gum.

There isn't an exact duration for teething discomfort as every baby is unique. But, most dentists generally agree that teething pain can last between one to seven days.

Signs Your Baby Is Teething

Some of the signs of teething include:

• Swollen and tender gums
• Excessive drooling
• Fussiness
• Your baby is always putting their hands in their mouth and is trying to chew on toys
• Diarrhea

Why Is Teething Uncomfortable For My Baby

The gum will get swollen and a bit tender a few days before the tooth will emerge. This can cause pain and irritation, especially if your baby likes to put things in their mouth and keep touching their gums.

Very soon, you will see the gum splitting to make room for the tooth to emerge.

How Can You Ease Teething Pain?

Seeing your baby in discomfort can be very hard. Fortunately, there are some things that you can do to help ease their pain during this period:

1. Gently massage their gums with your finger
2. Put a wet cloth into the freezer for half an hour then give it to your baby to bite on it
3. Refrigerate their pacifier or teething toys as chewing on the cool toys can numb their gums and ease their pain
4. If your baby is eating solids already, you can also refrigerate some fruits or veggies and let them munch on them.

Schedule Your Baby's First Visit at Water Valley Dental

If your baby's teeth are starting to emerge and you want to learn more about how to properly take care of them, then we are eager to meet you!

At Water Valley Dental, we offer a wide range of dental services, including pediatric dentistry.

Get in touch with us now to book your appointment.