By the time they turn 1 year old, most children have experienced teething pain. Unfortunately, the arrival of their first-year molars can worsen this pain and make them feel very uncomfortable.
While some children may be lucky and exhibit minimal or no discomfort, others may suffer from extreme teething symptoms that make day to day life difficult for themselves and their parents. Read on to learn more about some of the most common teething symptoms and what can be done to relieve them.
Skin Irritation on the Cheeks or Chin
If your child is constantly drooling, their teeth will probably erupt soon. Although their skin is now tougher than it was when they were younger, extra drool on their face can lead to skin irritation on their cheeks or chin. You can pat their cheeks or chin dry with a soft cloth or apply a non-comedogenic ointment to help them find relief.
Unwillingness to Eat
Teething pain can cause your child to lose their appetite. They may also refuse to suck on a sippie cup or straw because doing so makes their gums feel worse. To help your toddler cope with their unwillingness to eat, you should soothe their gums with some cold yogurt, a smoothie, or anything smooth. You can also try feeding them chilled soft foods like frozen bananas or cold applesauce.
Consistent Gnawing
When a toddler is gnawing, they are doing so because they are trying to relieve the pressure caused by any teeth that are pushing up under their gums. In order to treat consistent gnawing, you can give your child some rubber teething rings and toys. Providing your toddler with a cold cup of water or rubbing their gums with a clean finger can help as well.
Cheek Rubbing and Ear Pulling
Since gums, ears, and cheeks all share the same nerve pathway, your child may be able to feel any pain that begins in the gum area in their cheeks or ears. If you find that your toddler is rubbing their cheeks or pulling their ears, give them an over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen. In the event that their ear pulling is accompanied by a fever that persists for several days, visit a doctor to make sure they don’t have an ear infection.
Contact Triangle Pediatric Dentistry Today
If your child is demonstrating any uncomfortable symptoms due to their one year molars, you should contact Triangle Pediatric Dentistry, in Wake Forest, NC today at 919-435-7660. We’ll be happy to schedule an appointment and make sure that everything is okay in your child’s mouth.