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 or as late as twelve. 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. Avoid teething biscuits after a tooth has emerged, because their high carbohydrate content could cause decay. Tooth decay also can be caused if a child sleeps holding a bottle. Make sure your baby is sitting up while eating, whatever food you choose, and make sure you've cleaned or rinsed the mouth afterwards. Sometimes a cold liquid or something cold to eat may be soothing. Check with your doctor about possibly giving an aspirin substitute 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.
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