This week, Dr. Jon, one of our amazing pediatric dentists, offers advice on how parents can address the challenges of teething for their infants or toddlers. Dr. Jon begins by acknowledging the common and often stressful experience of teething, marked by frequent crying and crankiness in young children. So he shares two main pieces of advice aimed at alleviating discomfort and making the teething process more manageable!
First, Dr. Jon recommends practical measures to soothe the gums and potentially speed up the eruption of teeth. These include using teething aids such as toddler teething sticks or vibrating devices that gently massage the gums. Additionally, he suggests using items like frozen fruits, which can be placed in a feeder and given to the child to chew on while seated, to numb the gums and provide temporary relief.
Second, Dr. Jon advises against the use of oral gels like Orajel for teething pain. He highlights concerns about the chronic use of such gels, referencing an FDA statement that links them to methemoglobinemia—a serious condition affecting the blood. Instead, he proposes alternative pain relief methods, such as administering a measured dose of infant or children’s Tylenol, adhering strictly to the dosage instructions provided on the packaging, especially on particularly difficult days.
These two strategies are safe, practical, and parent-tested to help ease the discomfort of teething for your children!
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