First Teething (Milk Teeth)

Milk Teeth:

Milk Teeth appearance is a joyful moment to see first tooth appearing at the age of 6 to 7 months, usually there is a celebration by  family. During first teething phase there are twenty teeth taking place one after the other called Milk Teeth, because the child before it is only on milk meal. These teeth are paired first they erupt in  lower jaw followed by similar teeth in  upper jaw.  All  twenty teeth eruption completes by age of 2 years 6 months. First dentition period ranges from 1.5 to 2years. The actual time taken for dentition differs from child to child.

Teething a Biological Process:

Teeth eruption is  a biological process like many other development processes of body. The teething process is painful , difficult associated with fever, loose motions, inflammation of  area and some times infection also. Child cries without a relief in pain. Symptomatic treatment is provided for the comfort to child.

Injudicious Management of Dentition:

Perhaps it is  first experience of pain. Its magnitude is great for the small child, who has to bear helplessly. All the family members get worried and disturbed and try to calm child with all means like giving toys to divert his attention from pain to curious objects. About 60 %  children suffer from dentition problems and has become a phrase "Teething Troubles" in respect of businesses and industries.

Nothing is serious about this troublesome phase, but it causes anxiety to  worried mother who shares the suffering of her child. The anxious mother is eager to find means to reduce degree of suffering if not prevented. Before the possible remedies which areuseful are suggested, the necessity is to view the teething situation possible to achieve comfortably or  managing the dentition process of infant accompanied with difficulties.

Minimum Teething Difficulty: 

A child with strong body build up based on balanced nutrition achieved by receiving breast milk from his healthy mother. The  troubles of first teething shall be few and mild in nature in such children. Passing through this phase shall be a relatively trouble free and comfortable experience for child as well as mother.

Symptoms of First Teething:

Eruption of teeth is accompanied by excessive saliva secretion, swelling &  inflammation of gums, red cheeks. Infant very often puts its finger in the mouth and rubs against affected gum. There is increase of thirst, more pressure is felt on breast while feeding and usually has incomplete feeding due to pain. It is a restlessness state followed by crying. There is a tendency of vomiting, loose motions etc., such  symptoms usually show up few weeks before, when tooth starts growing outward and disappear after dentition and again appear when next tooth prepares to erupt.

Teething Problems & Treatment:

The situation does not call for a medical advice the troubles are easily managable. Child  requires to be brought in open air for taking fresh air breath. Little bit of castor oil be administered to reduce irritation of bowls. Cold sponging should be done daily, body surface be cleaned with a dry flannel cloth, so that the sensitive childs' skin  is not harmed. Increase breast feeding frequency at the same time reducing the duration. Thus thirst gets satisfied. The gums remain moist  irritation free. There is no over fullness of stomach. Mother needs to be well caring looking after well her nutrition,  health and not consume stimulant foods and drinks.

The beginning Phase of Dentition:

When the dentition is initiated, there is increased pressure internally on gums child feels comfortable, when there is sensitivity and pain of gums is reduced. To achieve this coral, root of orris or lroughened iquorice can bes used. A ring made of Ivory is much safer considering that accidentally it can not enter the nose or harm eyes. The friction caused by such objects on gum is liked by  infant, which hastens process of teething.

Some Common Practices:

In France, root of liquorice or other articles in dipped in honey child to chew it. Similarly in Germany, sugar & spices mixed are given for child to chew , at the time of uncomfortable feeling during first teething. The frequent use of sweetening agents can be cause harms in stomach, they should be used with a restrictive caution.