Teething advice!

[Ppeter500]

hiya ladies
just looking for some teething advice !
DD is 5 and a half months now. has been showing signs of teething for a few weeks now, flushed cheeks, chewing everything, lots of dribble etc.
however the last couple of days she has been extremely upset and very very clingy.

she doesn’t want to nap, even if she’s tired all she wants to do is chew her teething toys and keeps putting her fingers in her mouth and chewing them.

I massage her gums every day along with some anbesol (need to buy the liquid as got the gel but didn’t realise until I had a look on MN at other posts that the gel is pretty useless).

today when I was massaging I noticed at the top next to the middle gum bit (if that makes sense) that there was a sharp little edge. I couldn’t get a good look but I can only assume that would be the start of a tooth? The only reason I’m not sure is because. I’m shocked that the top seems to have come first.

the bottom gums do look swollen but no signs of any teeth - the problem I have though is that I can’t really see DD’s bottom gums properly. Even if I pull her lip down I can’t get a good look as she seems to constantly have her tongue in the way. As mean as it sounds sometimes if she’s crying I try to sneak a look at the top gums but obviously can be difficult still!

so I guess my questions are:

1. How am I meant to get a better look at her gums?
2. What else can I do other than teething rings, anbesol, massaging gums, distractions and cuddles, can I do to help DD?

thank you

My LOs came through quite early and in an odd order. All 4 top teeth sprung through within a few days of each other….that was rough!

unfortunately I think you are really doing all you can for her. I will second that the Anbesol liquid is much easier to apply and works….BUT after a few days my LO started clamping his mouth shut. I tried is on a small ulcer I had and woahhh it burns before it numbs! I can only assume it’s the same on broken gums with teething so getting it on became a bit of a battle.

looking at the gums was hard work, I found a clean finger and a good feel was easier than trying to look.

The only other think that could help on bad days (more so if her night sleep is disturbed) was a dose of Calprofen (or any infant ibuprofen) before bed. I used it on the odd day and it at least helped him manage a longer stretch of sleep. It seemed a bit more effective for teething pain that regular calpol.

Hope it all passes soon!

thamk You for your reply.
I tried it today too after you said that and you’re right it does burn! Her lips have gone sore so I can only assume it’s because it’s strong stuff. She too has started clamping her mouth shut. Help lol!

yeah look is a nightmare. I can’t really feel much but she just loves me massaging her gums lol so I’ll just keep an eye out for any new edges that I feel. Bless her!

I did have to give some paracetamol last night as she was really struggling, waking up really crying and super unsettled poor thing. Done the trick and she slept really well afterwards. It’s been a better day so hopefully she’s either getting used to the pain or maybe they’ve stopped coming through? Not sure that’s possible?

anyway fingers crossed it’s over with soon as hate to see her so upset!

A damp muslin cloth left in the freezer for a bit so there are lots of tiny ice crystals- let them suck/chew on it. The cold numbs the area and provides some pain relief for them but the muslin is breathable so no worries about choking.

Nurofen