First Tooth - Eleva,WI

With my first baby, I wish I had learned not to put Orajel on her gums exactly before trying to nurse her. She would bite me each time and I never put it together that it was because of the Orajel. Also, don't let people scare you about breastmilk. Breastmilk in the mouth of babes is good...the problem is a bacterium named Streptococcus mutans which you may accidentally pass to your child by sharing things while eating such as spoons. Talk to your child's pediatric dentist about it--and make sure you don't wait until he is 4...go when he is one year old because it is great to get a head start on it!

Hi S.,

I may not have specific answers to your questions but I have some suggestions.

1. don't put anything of your child's things in your mouth. the bacteria in your mouth can transfer to his mouth and that can be where cavities start. (don't share spoons, pacifiers,forks, etc.)

2.Hylands teething tablets!!! they are very helpful.

3. take your child to a pediatric dentist early. you don't have to wait til they are 3. i took mine when he was 18 months. they do an exam, teach you how to brush their teeth, fluoride treatment if you wish, and give parent peace of mind.

4. Stay away from sugary foods. Children don't need so much sugar. We started our son on veges and fruits (pureed)...not the carb loaded maeals (cereal or oatmeal). Our son still does not eat "junk food"...there is no nutritional value. He has never been to McDonalds.

Good luck.
L.

While breast milk is better for teeth then formula or juices in a bottle, it can still cause cavities. Take care that baby does not fall asleep with breast milk in his/her mouth by gently wiping teeth and gums with damp wash cloth before putting baby down to sleep. You may also put your baby to sleep with water if he/she will take a bottle.

As soon as baby bites remove from nipple... they get the picture pretty quickly if every time they bite you,you react and stop nursing! I did not have a biting problem for long and I did not have to quit nursing when my children were getting teeth.

My daughter's teething pain wasn't breaking the skin but months before hand with pushing up inside the gums and slowly coming to the surface.

Brush his teeth or wipe with a wet wash cloth

Avoid sippy cups or bottles in bed unless it's plain water

Get rid of the bottle at 12mos.

Don't let him run around with a sippy cup all day long, use a sippy at meals and a drink or two throughout the day as needed. Alot of kids will sit and watch cartoons or be glued to their sippy.