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Chapter List
- Introduction to Home Remedies for Children
- Acne Steps to a Clearer Complexion
- Aggressiveness Taking the Menace Out of Dennis
- Anal Itching Strategies to Stop the Scratching
- Anemia Upping the Energy Level
- Animal and Human Bites Tactics When Teeth Bring Tears
- Asthma Managing the Wheezing
- Attention Problems a Matter of Focus
- Bad Breath the Less Scent the Better
- Bed-Wetting for Sheets Like the Sahara
- Bee Stings This Season Be Ready
- Black Eyes Ways to Soothe a Shiner
- Bladder Control Problems Wet No More
- Blisters Pinwork and Prevention
- Boils Getting Them to Simmer Down
- Bottlefeeding Finding the Formula for Success
- Breastfeeding No-Problem Nursing
- Bronchitis Relieve the Chest Congestion
- Bruises Treatments from the School of Hard Knocks
- Burns Cool Ways to Treat Them
- Burping An Easy Exit for Excess Air
- Canker Sores Ousting the Ouch from the Mouth
- Cavities Learning to Live Without
- Chapped Lips Soothe That Kisser
- Chapped Skin the Best of the Balms
- Chickenpox Tips for Minimal Misery
- Cholesterol Keep It under Control
- Colds the Fewer Caught the Better
- Cold Sores Clearing Up a Pesky Problem
- Colic Calming the Chronic Crier
- Constipation the Route to Regularity
- Coughing at Night Hints for Sounder Sleep
- Cradle Cap Coping with a Crusty Crown
- Crankiness Getting Away from the Whine Routine
- Croup Chasing off a Scary Cough
- Crying How to Still the Sobs
- Cuts Scrapes and Scratches Remedies
- Dandruff Putting the Hex on Telltale Specks
- Dawdling Methods to Get Things Moving
- Diaper Rash Soothing Babys Ruddy Buns
- Diarrhea When a Minor Has a Major Mess
- Dizziness Steps to Stop the Spinning
- Ear Infections Countering Chronic Flare-Ups
- Earlobe Infections Help for a Piercing Problem
- Eating Problems How to Handle the Picky Eater
- Eczema Strategies to Stop the Itching
- Fatigue Tips to Recharge the Battery
- Fears Tactics to Take the Scare Out
- Fever What to Do When Your Kid Has a Temp
- Flatulence How to Lessen the Gas
- Flu Ways to Soothe the Symptoms
- Food Allergies Keeping An Eye on the Edibles
- Foot Odor Fresh Solutions to Sole Pollutions
- Foot Pain Tips to Take Away the Ache
- Forgetfulness Measures That Add to Recall
- Frostnip Bundling Up and Thawing Out
- Gagging Hints for Smoother Swallowing
- Gas Pains How to Burst the Bubbles
- Growing Pains What It Takes to Stop the Aches
- Hair Tangles Keeping Locks in Line
- Hangnails Fix-Ups for Fingertips
- Hay Fever and Allergies Getting the Better of Allergy Onslaughts
- Headaches How Doctors Spell Relief
- Heat Exhaustion How to Cope with Summers Sizzlers
- Hiccups Help Halt Those Hics
- Hives Giving Bumps the Bump Off
- Impetigo How to Stop the Spread
- Insect and Spider Bites Antidotes for Pest Attacks
- Lactose Intolerance Handling the Dairy Dilemma
- Laryngitis and Hoarseness Clearing Up the Husky Whisper
- Lazy Eye Getting Vision Back on Track
- Lice An All-Out Attack to Clear the Hair
- Marine Stings and Cuts Remedies for Seaside Perils
- Measles Going the Distance with the Virus
- Motion Sickness Taming the Upsets
- Mumps Help for the Pain and Swelling
- Muscle Aches and Cramps Soothing Action That Brings Relief
- Nail-Biting Backing off a Nervous Habit
- Negativity Upbeat Ways to Brighten An Outlook
- Night Terrors Taking the Fear Out of Bedtime Hours
- Nosebleeds Staunch Techniques to Stop the Flow
- Overweight How to Handle Chubbiness
- Pinkeye Chasing the -Itis Out
- Pinworms When An Itchy Bottom Signals Problems
- Stopping the Scratching Before It Starts
- Posture Problems Straight Talk About Slouching
- Prickly Heat An Array of Rash Approaches
- Ringworm a Round-Up of Remedies
- Runny Nose Drying Up the Drip
- School Refusal Help for the Reluctant
- Separation Anxiety Parting Without Such Sorrow
- Shyness Guiding the Way to Social Skills
- Sibling Rivalry
- Side Stitches So Long to the Pain
- Sleep Problems
- Snoring Measures to Silence the Sawing
- Sore Throat Soothe the Scratchiness
- Splinters Tips for Easy Extraction
- Sprains and Strains a Line Up to Halt the Pain
- Stomachache Comfort for a Tender Tummy
- Stress Helping Your Child Cope
- Stuffy Nose How to Break Up Nasal Gridlock
- Stuttering Smoothing the Way to Surer Speech
- Sunburn Ways to Counter Risky Rays
- Swimmers Ear Safeguards Against a Perennial Problem
- Swollen Glands When Infection Sends Signals
- Teething Relief for Sensitive Gums
- Temper Tantrums Techniques to Tame the Rage
- Thumb-Sucking Helpful Hints to Break the Habit
- Tick Bites Tactics to Stop the Tiny Attacks
- Toilet Training Problems
- Toothache Making Molar Misery Milder
- Tooth Grinding Ways to Halt the Gnashing
- Tooth Knocked Out Fast Action to Save a Smile
- Tv Addiction Getting Tube Time to a Minimum
- Video Game Addiction Tips to Tame the Kid Whos Hooked
- Vomiting How to Quell the Queasiness
- Warts Causes Quirks and Cures
- Tips on Safety
- Bike Safety
- Burn Prevention
- Car Seat Safety
- Choking
- Drowning
- Electric Shock
- Fall Proofing Your Home
- Firearms
- Fire Safety
- Frostbite
- Playgrounds and Sports
- Poisons
- Snakebite
- Suffocation
- Bleeding
- Breathing Problems and Suffocation
- Minor Burns
- Severe Burns
- Choking3
- Convulsions Without Fever
- Drowning3
- Electric Shock Injuries
- Eye Injuries
- Falls
- Finger Or Toe Injuries
- Frostbite3
- Head Injuries
- Poisoning
- Snakebite3
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Teething Relief for Sensitive Gums
TEETHING
Relief for Sensitive Gums
When your baby begins to chew on everything in sight and starts drooling like Niagara Falls, it's a good guess the difficult teething months have officially begun.
Teeth begin to push through the gums when your baby is about six months old. This process can make the gums red and sensitive, and some babies will be fussy and irritable with every tooth that erupts. (Other babies, however, sail through the process with scarcely a whimper.)
The process continues until all 20 teeth come through, at about age 2½. Here's how to help your child deal with the discomfort from those emerging teeth.
Rub the gums. Just rubbing your baby's gums with your finger may make her feel better. And if you rub gently with a small gauze pad, you'll not only help relieve teething pain, but also clean your baby's mouth and get her used to the sensation of having her teeth cleaned, says John Bogert, D.D.S., pediatric dentist and executive director of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry in Chicago.
Offer soothing comfort. Sometimes a little tender care can ease the discomfort of a teething baby, says James F. Steiner, D.D.S., professor of clinical pediatrics and associate director of the Division of Pediatric Dentistry at Children's Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati. Cuddling your baby, rocking him or walking with him can often make him feel better.
Supply a washcloth to chomp on. Give your baby a clean, wet washcloth to chew on, suggests Linda Jonides, R.N., a certified pediatric nurse practitioner in Ann Arbor, Michigan. If you chill the cloth in the refrigerator beforehand, it provides even more relief, by cooling those tender gums.
Ice is nice. Wrap a piece of ice in a bit of cotton cloth, says William Kuttler, D.D.S., a dentist in Dubuque, Iowa. 'Rubbing this gently on the gums helps to numb them, and the pressure seems to feel good, too,' he says. Be sure that the ice itself doesn't touch the gum, however, and that you keep the wrapped ice moving rather than holding it in one place.
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| When to See the Doctor Teething can cause your child to be uncomfortable, but it usually doesn't require medical care. Normal symptoms of teething include: * Chewing. * Fussing. * Drooling. * Crying. * Red, swollen gums. Teething does not normally cause fever, vomiting, diarrhea or loss of appetite, says John Bogert, D.D.S., pediatric dentist and executive director of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry in Chicago. If your child has any of these symptoms, they're likely caused by some other condition. Check with your pediatrician. |
Supply a teething ring. Teething rings with liquid centers intended for freezing are great for gum relief, says Dr. Steiner. But instead of freezing the ring, chill it in the refrigerator. 'A child who holds a frozen teething ring against his gums can actually get frostbitten gums,' explains Dr. Steiner. 'Refrigerating them gets the rings cool enough to comfort the baby's gums without the potential harm from direct ice.'
And although it may be tempting to attach the ring to the baby's clothing with a bit of string so you don't have to keep retrieving it, don't, warns Jonides. You don't want to risk your baby choking on the string.
Consider an OTC pain reliever. If your baby is in serious discomfort or having trouble sleeping because of pain, call your doctor and ask about giving an over-the-counter pain reliever. Acetaminophen (Children's Tylenol) can help a baby who seems to be very uncomfortable, says F. T. Fitzpatrick, M.D., a pediatrician in private practice in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Be sure to get a pain reliever that's specifically for infants, and check with your doctor for the correct dosage.
Try a gum preparation. Products that numb the gums, such as Orajel or Anbesol Baby Teething Gel can help ease gum pain, says Dr. Kuttler. Just follow directions on the package for use.
Mop up the drool. Drooling goes with teething. And clothing that has become wet from drooling can cause a rash, particularly on the neck and upper chest, says Dr. Fitzpatrick. To prevent this, change your child's clothing often, or keep a soft cloth or bib around your baby's neck to soak up the drool.
Protect your baby's face. Your child may need a bit of extra protection to keep from getting a rash on her face. 'If your baby is drooling a great deal, put a coating of petroleum jelly around her mouth and chin, avoiding the lips,' says Jonides.
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