How to Check for Cutting Baby Teeth

Checking your baby's mouth for emerging teeth can be a frustrating event for you and baby. This is a simple, happy way to investigate.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Ceiling fan or flashlight
• Baby

1. Hold baby on your lap, sitting up. You can also hold baby sitting up on your hip. Please be sure not to get too close to the fan.

2. Stand under a ceiling fan and turn it on. Point to the moving fan and say, "look!" Baby will turn his face toward the breeze and open his mouth as he looks up in wonder. Make this a happy exam so the baby won't have misgivings about future inspections

3. Smile and make encouraging sounds as you stealthily peek into baby's mouth. This should give you a really good look at the top molar area, which is usually the most difficult to inspect. You can then hold the baby a little lower and you can peer into the lower gum area.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also perform this exam with a flashlight held at a level above the baby's head. Do not hold it directly over your head or baby's head- just in case it slips from your hands. Flicker it off and on for an intriguing light show. Make sure not to shine the light in baby's eyes!
• Don't poke around on baby's sore gums. This really doesn't give you any more information than a quick peek would, and this gives the baby nervousness about any future inspections. Plus, it hurts!
• Please, don't get baby near the ceiling fan. It's just as interesting from his perspective as you sit on the floor or the couch. You can stand directly under it, but keep baby out of reach.