Teething

Teething can be a varied experience, depending on the child. The first tooth usually arrives when the child is around seven months old, although it can appear as early as three months or as late as 12 months. A teething baby may experience such symptoms as pain, irritability, drooling, chin or face rash, biting, refusal to eat, and even low-grade fever. To relieve the child's discomfort, here are some suggested remedies. Try giving the baby something to chew on, such as a frozen bagel, a chilled carrot, or a rubber teething toy. Sometimes a cold liquid or something cold to eat may be soothing. Check with your doctor about possibly giving acetaminophen or other pain reliever. Your child's diet plays a key role in dental health, so eliminate sugar and sticky foods. Tooth decay is the number-one dental problem among preschoolers. Once all 20 baby teeth are present, make an appointment to take the child to a dentist for a first appointment, usually around age three..