Pain In Baby’s Gums

Pain in babies’ gums is a consequence of the long and painful process babies go through when they get their first teeth in the first months of their lives. Although no date has been set for the baby’s first tooth, in most cases they come after the sixth month.

When babes are about two and a half years old, they should already have their baby teeth. During the process , babies may show symptoms for a few months or just a few days before their tooth comes out.

To treat pain in babies’ gums, here are some tips to keep in mind. It is very important that you consult a pediatrician if your baby has other symptoms related to gum pain, such as fever, extreme irritations in the affected area or difficulty eating.

Pain in babies’ gums

The dental care process can be painful and cause crying, salivation and other behaviors as babies try to control the pain.

But you should not worry too much about pain in babies’ gums. Instead, you need to know that one usually gets worried when there is blood coming during tooth development.

Usually, gum bleeding occurs for the teeth to pass through their delicate tissues. However, it can also be caused by bacteria that cause inflammation.

However, it should not be a cause for alarm as it is a normal part of the development of the teeth. Other causes associated with teeth are sensitivity, swelling, bruising and pain.

How to soothe gum pain in babies

There are many things you can try before using painkillers to soothe pain in babies’ gums. You can give babies something fresh to chew on to reduce the pain.

To do this, we recommend that you try the following:

• Rub a clean finger or wet gauze over the sore gums to soothe the pain. Remember that babies like that kind of pressure on their gums as it distracts their brain from the painful sensation in the teeth.
• Give the child a toothpick. Silicone-made solid tooth rings are better than liquid-filled products as they cannot be sterilized.
• If the baby is more than 6 months old, you can also let him chew cold, soft foods like bananas, cucumbers or plain yogurt. Do not give him hard food as it may break in the mouth and suffocate the baby.
• Never put things around the neck of the baby to relieve the pain in their teeth as there is a danger that they may suffocate. It includes toothed rings and dolls.

• You can also try with some cold water directly from the bottle, or if you prefer, in a cup of food.

On the other hand, you can also use over-the-counter painkillers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, given in the right dose according to the child’s weight. In that case, talk to your child’s doctor before starting.

When is it necessary to go to the hospital?

If the child only shows swollen gums and the typical symptoms that teeth are coming out, there is no need to worry. However, if you think your child is behaving differently or there are other problems, it may be necessary to contact medical help.

We also recommend that you contact your pediatrician if you notice that your child swells by eating, has  large changes in temperature, has blood in the navel, has a very high fever or a lot of diarrhea, constipation, vomiting or dehydration.

Finally, remember that by massaging the baby’s gums, you will be able to detect if the baby is in pain. In most cases, you should not worry too much. It is natural and it will happen over time.