Teething Toddler Woes: Tips and Tricks for Relief!

Disclosure:: This post is sponsored by Lafayette Pediatric Dentistry (a pediatric dental practice right here in Lafayette, LA) and authored by Dr. Anita Gouri. 

Teething Toddler Woes: Tips and Tricks for Relief!

Inexplicable crankiness, low-grade fever, sleepless nights.  Why does the natural process of teething have to be so havoc-wreaking? I wish I had the answer. Fortunately, I have some tried and true tips for treatment—And I used them on my own daughters when they were little!

Here are 5 pediatric dentist-approved ways to soothe teething toddlers and infants:

1. Fill mesh feeders with frozen purees or make homemade popsicles containing frozen breastmilk/ formula.

This method is particularly good for infants who can’t quite grasp a teething toy on their own yet.  Parents can simply fill a mesh feeder with pureed fruit and freeze, or use a Popsicle mold to freeze breastmilk/formula.  Then, after letting it sit out for a bit so as not to be too cold for the baby, gently hold the feeder/pop on those tender gums—usually provides instant relief! Bonus—your baby gets extra nutrition and hydration with this method!Example of Feeding Teether Mesh

2. Silicone straws filled with frozen breastmilk/formula.

Cover one end of the straw with tape and then fill with milk.  Freeze.  Once frozen, let sit out for a bit then hold while baby clamps down on the straw with their jaws.  More nutritious relief!

3. Dampen then freeze a washcloth or pacifier for 15-30 min. Apply to baby’s gums. Voila!

4. Silicone teething toys. These are great for infants and toddlers who can grasp. I personally like the following brands/models: the Zoli Bunny and the Baby Banana.

Teething toy recommending by pediatric dentistBananas teething toy recommended by pediatric dentist

Why these? They have massaging bristles or ridges on the ends, which can familiarize your baby with the sensation of tooth brushing! Make sure your baby never uses these teethers unsupervised! I like that all of these toys are made of tough material and don’t have multiple parts, but you just never know if you bought a defective one that could break or tear where it shouldn’t!

5. Medications.

Sometimes the teething just gets rough, especially those second molars which are much “bulkier” than the other baby teeth! It is ok to use the following:

  • All-natural baby teething gels, such as Camilia, Hyland’s, Zarbee’s, and Mommy’s Bliss brands, are pretty effective. These gels usually contain herbal ingredients that are safe for babies to swallow, such as chamomile and clove oil.  Just be sure to stay away from any gel containing Benzocaine (found in Adult Orajel) or Belladonna, which is not safe for babies.
  • Infant Acetaminophen (Tylenol) every 4 hours. If the baby is older than 6 months, Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) every 6 hours. Make sure to dose according to baby’s weight. 

What about those amber necklaces?

I get asked about these a lot, and I know many parents swear by them.  I just can’t ever recommend anything that encircles a baby’s neck.  No matter how safe it seems, it will always be a choking hazard! For the same reasons, I also avoid teething toys that have multiple different parts and attachments, which can potentially separate into your baby’s mouth.

A few things to keep in mind:

The term, “teething” can actually apply to a broad range of time.  The process of tooth eruption starts sometimes months before you actually see a tooth break through the gums.  So either of the following pictures can represent teething:

Teething with teeth shownTeething even when teeth have not popped out

So when all the symptoms of teething are present, and all other causes (such as illness) have been ruled out, your baby can just be experiencing early stages of teething and tooth growth underneath the jawbones and gums.  Sometimes a simple massaging of the gums with a silicone brush or finger cot can work wonders!

As soon as you do finally see your child’s beautiful little teeth peek through the gums, it is recommended to start brushing them with a wet soft-bristled, infant-sized toothbrush! As they get more teeth, like the upper incisors and the molars, you can begin to use a rice-sized amount or “smear” of fluoride toothpaste on the brush.

And don’t forget to schedule their first dental checkup by their first birthday!

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Dr. Anita Gouri pediatric dentist in Lafayette, LADr. Anita Gouri, a pediatric dentist, has been practicing in Lafayette for 10 years and is the owner of Lafayette Pediatric Dentistry. She graduated from LSU School of Dentistry in 2006, receiving honors including Outstanding Achievement in Pediatric Dentistry, Honors in Research, and the Carl A. Baldridge Academic  Scholarship. She completed her residency in pediatric dentistry at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington DC in 2008 and became a board certified diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry in 2009.  In 2010, her research on dental pain assessment was published in Pediatric Dentistry. She also has specialized training in treating babies and children who have tongue and lip ties. She is a member of the Academy of Laser Dentistry, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the Louisiana Dental Association, the Southwestern Society of Pediatric Dentistry, American Dental Association, as well as the C. Edmund Kells and Omicron Kappa Upsilon Dental Honor Societies. Dr. Gouri, her husband, and their two children enjoy travel, Saints football, good food and good friends.

Lafayette Pediatric Dentistry
Lafayette Pediatric Dentistry is one of Acadiana’s premier pediatric dental practices, specializing in treating infants to adolescents. We are a boutique-style office that is known for quality, customized care for your child, focusing on making the dental experience fun, comfortable, and fear-free! Dr. Anita J Gouri has had extensive training in laser dentistry, sedation/hospital dentistry, and special needs dentistry. She is also one of the area’s recommended providers for diagnosis and treatment of tongue and lip ties. She graduated from the LSU School of Dentistry in 2006, completed her residency in pediatric dentistry at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington DC in 2008, and became a board certified diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry in 2009. She has been practicing in Lafayette for over 11 years. Dr. Gouri, her husband Brian, and their two children enjoy travel, Saints football, good food and good friends.