How to Treat Teething Pain With a Topical Painkiller

Infant teething is one of those early milestones that every parent must pass. For some babies it may be a relatively painless process and teeth appear before a parent even notices any teething symptoms. For other babies, teething pain may be uncomfortable and require treatment. Topical painkillers are one treatment option for parents of teething babies.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Confirm that the child is suffering from teething symptoms. A child's first tooth may arrive anywhere from age three to fifteen months. Teething symptoms such as a low-grade fever, swollen gums, crankiness and general irritability, may appear typically 3 to 4 days before a tooth cuts through the gum line.

2. Gather topical painkillers specifically designed for treating infant teething. These may include over the counter teething gels or liquids in which there are active ingredients such as benzocaine, a numbing agent. Another choice is to use an herbal remedy which may include ingredients like chamomile, calcium phosphate, calcium fluoride, passiflora and matricaria recutita.

3. Apply the topical painkiller. Over the counter teething gels or liquids are applied directly to the child's gum line. Herbal remedies may involve sprinkling granules into the child's mouth or dissolving granules into water for the child to drink.

4. Repeat the process as directed. Follow dosage guidelines. Some paediatricians don't recommend using topical painkillers for teething because of a parent's likelihood to overdose.

Tips & Warnings

• A high fever or other serious symptoms are not a sign of teething, but possibly something more serious. Contact a physician.
• Only treat a teething child with a topical painkiller if they display symptoms and are uncomfortable. Select only alcohol free topical treatments designed specifically for infant teething.
• Never treat a child with teething symptoms using any form of liquor. This may put the child at risk for alcohol poisoning.