Teething questions: true of false

One thing is clear even for parents, who bring up their first-born, i.e., in order teeth would be healthy, they need a daily care. However, there are more questions about the small pearls, and sometimes the answers of friends and those of pediatrician do not match. We shall try to help you and dispel the common myths.

When will a pearl shine?
First teeth should erupt at about sixth month.
Truth. However, if they erupt in third or fourth month, there’s nothing wrong with it. Every child is individual and cannot fit into the frame. One should worry, if a three year old child has not all 20 deciduous teeth yet. The order and time of their eruption is not so important.
But do not worry, if teeth start erupting a few months sooner or later. Each baby is different, his or her development – as well. In rare cases (one of 2-3 thousand) babies are born with teeth already, and it is determined by certain peculiarities of teeth development and eruption. However, there is no reason to worry, since the mentioned disorders do not mean anything wrong.
Teeth erupt earlier for first-born than for younger brothers and sisters.
Myth. Each child is different, therefore, not for everybody teeth erupt at the same time. And it does not matter, which child he or she is in the family.
When there are no teeth after the first birthday, the gums are cut.
Both truth and myth. Deciduous teeth usually erupt by themselves. And only in very rare cases (when dental cysts or contusions form and start festering) the mentioned procedure may be required. More often the gums are cut, when the permanent teeth (especially mental) cannot erupt.
Deciduous teeth, which erupt earlier, fall out also earlier.
Both truth and myth. Deciduous teeth fall out, when their roots “dissolve”. This usually occurs, when permanent teeth start erupting, since they slowly “dissolve” the root of deciduous tooth. If deciduous teeth began erupting early, it may be that permanent ones will also erupt earlier. However, this is not the rule.
Healthy teeth - inherited?
Time of teeth eruption and their tendency not to decay is determined by genes, therefore, if parents’ teeth tend to decay, teeth of their children will also tend to decay.
Both truth and myth. Since children get the bacteria that cause a decay from their parents (not by genes, but by kissing, licking a soother, a spoon), oral hygiene of parents as well as of those, who take care of baby, is very important. If their teeth are unhealthy, it is likely that bacteria, causing decay, will be transferred to child. However, it does not mean that teeth will certainly decay. If there is a proper child’s tooth care (even with decay-causing bacteria in the mouth), teeth can remain healthy. Therefore, parental excuse that their teeth are supposedly bad and there is nothing to do about that is just a pathetic excuse. So, everything is in your hands.
First toothbrush
Teeth should be started to be cleaned as soon as they appear.
Truth. And more specifically, they need to be cleaned even before eruption. When teeth are just going to erupt, it is time to start massaging the gums tissue with a piece of fabric or special silicone fingertip, designed for first teeth cleaning. In this way a child will be introduced to teeth cleaning procedures, and the first teeth will erupt in a clean environment. The first erupted teeth must be cleaned twice daily - morning and evening before bedtime.
Toothpaste with fluorine can harm a baby.
Both truth and myth. There is too vital myth about fluorine damage. Of course, this material can harm, but only, when it is swallowed regularly, especially for those, residing in places, where there is a large quantity of fluorine in drinking water (fluorine excess in the body affects the nervous system, bones, teeth, dental fluorosis - brown, stained teeth-may develop for children). However, fluorine is more a friend than an enemy of small teeth, since it hardens the erupting teeth, increases the resistance of enamel, is involved in the process of tooth hardness reconstruction, reduces the adherence of dental plaque, stops the activity of plaque bacteria. Therefore, pediatric dentists, prescribe toothpaste with fluorine even for a one year old child in case of very active decay or high risk of decay. Parents are worn not to overdo, when applying toothpaste to toothbrush – it is enough to wet the bristles with toothpaste. Then, if a child who does not know how to rinse the mouth swallows a grain, nothing bad will happen.
A bottle is not a friend
Teeth decay faster for those babies, who drink milk at.
Truth. Erupted teeth - is a sign that a child needs to switch to more serious food, which must be chewed. International Association of Paediatric Dentistry has prepared the guidelines, which recommend not to feed at night those children, who have already blown out the candle of their first birthday. And it does not matter, what baby drinks - infant formula, juice or breast milk. All of these drinks contain carbohydrates and can damage the teeth, if used improperly, causing the so-called “bottle decay”. The bacteria in the mouth (and there are millions of bacteria in dental plaque) eat carbohydrates, which abound everywhere (not just in sweets). Carbohydrates, entering the mouth, are decomposed by acids, and acids, in turn, destroy teeth enamel and cause teeth decay. Saliva is very important in this process. It helps to neutralize the acids and, thus, prevents from teeth decay. However, saliva excretion is very low at night. So, if the baby falls asleep with a drink of milk in the mouth, “acid pack” forms on erupted teeth and remains overnight. Believe me, there are no better conditions for teeth decay. Then all teeth crumble to the roots or fester. Doctors see not one and not two such children. Therefore, give some water or unsweetened tea, if a child cannot refuse a night drink.
Teeth erupt as hammer…
Intensive salivation shows that a tooth will erupt soon.
Truth. Before a tooth erupts, salivation usually increases, the gums are swollen and more sensitive. Children begin to dive their hands and everything that gets close to hand to mouth, in order to “scratch” their gums.
Teething can cause fever, vomiting or diarrhoea.
Both truth and myth. This question causes many discussions among paediatricians, pediatric dentists, therefore, there is no unambiguous answer, whether this really happens. Occasionally children fall sick during severe teething, however, it is difficult to answer, whether teeth are to be blamed for this. Some paediatricians believe that teething is a natural process, which has no negative impact on child’s condition. Others argue the opposite – teething (especially, when a few teeth erupt at the same time) can cause fever, child may become more irritable, stools may become loose. And it happens too often that it could be considered as a coincidence. During teething various infections of upper respiratory tract are more possible and sometimes snuffle lasts till teeth erupt.
When teething is difficult, honey should be applied to teeth or gums.
Myth. Honey - is a pure carbohydrate, which is really bad for your teeth. Thus, it won’t relief the pain, and the damage to teeth will be great. You can buy some teething gels in pharmacies. They do not contain sugar and do not harm the teeth.
Amber teethers
Teething pain is relieved by amber, for example, baby amber necklace.
Truth. Studies have shown that amber, especially Baltic amber, has many healing properties. It soothes, relaxes, is good for gastrointestinal tract, has antibacterial properties and promotes healing. Therefore, it is perfect for eruption of first teeth. If you decide to give a baby to sooth amber necklace (which is certainly better than rubber teethers without any healing properties), choose a necklace of streamlined parts (in order not to harm the gums).
Teething help for babies: amber teething necklace;   amber bracelets;   amber teething anklets;