Teething Toddler

Updated on June 15, 2008
L.B. asks from West Plains, MO
17 answers

My sweet baby girl is just now cutting her canine teeth (all 4, the top & bottom) at 19 months. She has all her other teeth even her second molars. She didn't really have much trouble with the other teeth, but these last 4 are really giving her a hard time. Last night she just cried and screamed for almost 2 hours and would pull on her bottom jaw. We alternated between tylenol and motrin every 4 hours and I attempted to use some orajel but was hard to get into her mouth. I felt so helpless all I could do was hold her and try to sooth her. She doesn't like teething rings, never did so that isn't an option. Is there anything else I can do to help her? All the other kids in her daycare class have their canines' and one lady told me that she heard of kids having to go to the dentist to have their gums slit to help the teeth come thru. Has anyone heard of this and is my baby really far behind on cutting her canines'??

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J.S.

answers from Springfield on

Try getting some teething tablets from walmart (OTC at pharmacy). Small pink and blue bottle. They worked better than anything I had ever tried. You put them right on the gums and let them dissolve (instantly). I have also heard of putting an apple in the freezer. It feels good, and becomes cold and mushy. good luck.

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M.T.

answers from Springfield on

The only thing that worked for my daughter was Nighttime Formula Baby Orajel. It worked better than just Baby Orajel.

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N.G.

answers from Columbia on

My youngest son just finished cutting all 4 of his canine teeth too. It was horrible. He is now almost 22 months. We didn't have any problems teething until these 4 started. I know my advice is going to sound odd, but give her an electric toothbrush. The vibrations will feel good, plus a bonus she will be cleaning her mouth. Just make sure it is a soft toothbrush. Good luck!

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E.M.

answers from Kansas City on

Hello! Have you tried the Homeopathic remedies from Bylands? They are available at Walgreens for sure and possibly Wal-Mart. They make a teething gel that is AWESOME! It is a little more expensive but very worth every penny! They also make a product called teething tablets that dissolve instantly in her mouth. If she does not like teething rings have you tried the First Years Vibrating Teether? I know they have them at Babies R Us. I bought some the other day for a girl I watch during the day, they retail for $7.99 plus tax. It vibrates on her gums which helps with the pain and has a handle for her to hold easily. It has also proven helpful with the biting issue I have been dealing with between the 2 year old I watch.
You might also try putting a wet wash rag in the freezer for a few minutes, or keep some in the refrigerator for her. There is something about the terry cloth that feels good on their gums. Try putting all her teething toys in the fridge instead of the freezer - maybe she does not like them that cold? My son did not like them frozen but if I put them in the fridge he was fine with them.
You may want to talk to her doctor just to make sure they are coming through ok. I have heard of children having to have their gums split to get teeth through but luckily my children did not have this problem. The "I" teeth or "canine teeth" are the worst teeth to cut. My kids were miserable when they cut those particular set, but they did come through pretty quickly. I hope you find some relief for you baby! Good luck. E.

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S.D.

answers from Topeka on

My daughter is 17 months old she just barely started to get teeth before she was 1,now she has 4 top 2 bottom.This is really h*** o* her she is getting a molar in she has diaherra can't sleep eats well,irratitated nothing I do can sooth her my last resort is the paci she hasn't took it since she was a 1 yr old only when she find one around her toys she would play with it,this has made her comfortable to suck and chew on it however this is only at nite time and naps during the day.I do give her tylenol every now and then and put teething gel on her gums.This wasn't a problem for my son like I tell others she has thrown me in for a loop meaning she isn't at all like brother and I'am having to learn so much with her,my kids are the Joy in my life and are more precious than any other gift.I did take her in to see the pediatrician since she has symptoms of an ear ache and cold but all due to those teeth coming in.And no I have never heard of the dentist slicing in for an opening for teeth to come in.Give her a few more weeks they'll be competely in.

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B.S.

answers from Joplin on

Yes, I have heard of the procedure, but if she has had any teeth at all come through, this is not likely to be needed. The canines are just really tough for some kids. (So are the last teeth in the back.)
Try giving her a wet washcloth to chew on. Experiment with warm ones and cold ones to find out which she prefers. Usually they like them cold. The colder the better. I learned this from my Mom who had 7 children. It worked for all of my kids and grandkids, too.
I really hope it helps your baby, too.

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J.R.

answers from Kansas City on

Your baby isn't that far behind. My daughter is 18 months and got her canine teeth at about 17 and a 1/2 months. I think your baby is probably right on schedule for her, so there probably is no reason to have anything done. You might try freezing a wet wash cloth and letting your baby chew/ suck on it. My daughter loved this when she was teething. I saw some of the other comments mention some herbal things to try for teething. I would do research on this before you use anything like that. Some of those things can be really dangerous, and probably no more helpful than the other meds you are trying. In the end, just remember that it will pass. Oh, really cold drinks also seemed to help my daughter. Good luck!

A.S.

answers from Kansas City on

I'm pretty sure your daughter is right on schedule for her canines, I think they're supposed to come in right around 18 months. Have you tried a wet, cold washcloth? My daughter loves them when she's teething. Along with that we do Tylenol and Motrin as needed. I also like to give her frozen banana and frozen blueberries. She LOVES them, and they really seem to help. Some people swear by the Hylands Teething tablets, but they didn't work for us, and I stopped using them after a baby on one of my mommy boards overdosed. He was allergic to one of the ingredients, Belladonna. They contain herbal ingredients (they aren't strictly regulated by the FDA), including Belladonna, which can be dangerous for children & babies.

Here's a few links:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patie...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atropa_belladonna

As far as lancing the gums goes... I only think they do that in extreme cases.. I don't think that's practiced all that much anymore, but I could be wrong. I know they do it if the gums look infected because of a tooth coming in. Talk to your pediatrician about it.

So, I'd just stick to the Motrin & Tylenol and cold treats. I hope the teeth come through quickly and she starts feeling better! Poor kiddo!

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K.M.

answers from Kansas City on

Hi L.,
Fortunately, our son (9 months) has done pretty well with teething so far, so I don't know a lot of things to try. However, I've known about three others mothers who swore that the Hyland's homeopathic teething tablets did wonders for their kids. We tried them a couple of times and honestly I didn't see that much of a difference, but different kids respond to different things, I guess. They're not very expensive and I think you can find them at most grocery stores or pharmacies.
Good luck.
-K. M.

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A.K.

answers from St. Louis on

Popsicles and patience. If it really becomes a problem, consult a trusted dentist.

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S.V.

answers from St. Louis on

Normal. Both of my toddlers got the canines last, and very painfully. Plain orajel wouldn't work, but the night time formula is amazing. We even use it for my husbands toothaches. The only thing was it eventually wears off, and you have to wake up to them crying again, go apply it again, go back to sleep, wake up to them crying again... go apply it again... go back to sleep.... oh how awful that was... Mine would sleep for a couple hours at a time before they needed more applied.

It will be over before you know it!! God bless.

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C.M.

answers from Kansas City on

My oldest only had her front four on top and bottom until she was about 19 months. I had a new baby and all the sudden my toddler had a mouth full of teeth! The pop-ice popcicles worked great for our kids and they aren't as messy as some of the other kinds of popcicles. I also but an ice cube in a washclothe for them to bite on. Mine wouldn't take traditional teethers either but they loved knaw on the ice cube.

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E.M.

answers from Lawrence on

The canines are the worst. It'll be over soon though. Try Hyemen's teething tablets. I've found them at the Merc in Lawrence. Any natural foods grocery will have them. My kids loved to munch on them, and they help with the pain. She might want some crushed ice to munch on too, and that will help numb the gums for a little bit. Good luck.

C.B.

answers from Kansas City on

i can tell you she's right on time. don't worry about that aspect of it. what i feel for is her obvious pain. my son never had real problems teething so i can only imagine - hope she feels better soon, unfortunately it sounds like you're doing everything you possibly can, other than take her to the dr. it's an option. GOOD LUCK!

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C.M.

answers from Joplin on

You might try some teething tablets, they always helped my son when he was teething.You can findthem at wal-mart in the pharmacy section.

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L.B.

answers from St. Louis on

popsicle or freezie pops

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W.H.

answers from Springfield on

I highly recommend teething tablets. You can get them at Wal-Mart, Target, Walgreens, any place like that. Sometimes they're in the pharmacy section and sometimes they are with the baby stuff. They are in a little white bottle and are all natural and really worked when my daughter was cutting 8 teeth at one time and would have trouble sleeping. Good luck!

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