One of the milestones in the lives of babies is the teething process. This stage begins at the age of three or four months and can last up to the second or third year as babies grow out their first set of teeth. On the other end of the spectrum, adults have their own teeth-related milestone, as well. This event occurs when older adults lose their teeth instead of growing them, which will necessitate the use of dentures.
Teething, for some babies, can go by without a hitch. For other babies, it is a long, painful and tantrum-filled time which can be aggravated by colds, fevers, fussiness and diarrhea. In any case, both doctors and parents agree that the teething process can be uncomfortable for babies to some degree or another.
When adults get fitted with their first set of dentures, there will necessarily be a huge amount of discomfort as the gums adjust to the snug fit of fabricated teeth that is not their own. Dentures are usually made of synthetic material like porcelain, and gums and other soft tissues of the mouth that are not used to such material may be be subject to irritation and even develop ulcers, wounds or sores. In some instances, an aching jaw and headaches are common.
Babies who are about to start teething will exhibit tell-tale signs such as drooling, which increases as the teeth prepare to break out of the gums. During the teething stage, the gums become swollen and sensitive. Small bumps are usually seen where the tiny teeth are set to appear. As the teething process progresses and the teeth rise up to the gums' surface, the pain and soreness in this area will result in babies who lose their appetites, start becoming very fussy, and who are prone to developing a cold, fever or diarrhea.
Both teething and "false-teething" milestones can be trials for babies and adults alike. Discomfort can be relieved by providing babies with rubber teething rings, washcloths moistened with cold water, and even frozen fruit popsicles to ease the pressure on their gums. However, this will not help them at night when the pain of teething keeps them awake more than is usual. Adults, on the other hand, will find that taking pain relievers may help relieve the discomfort in their gums. Developing a dependence on these pain-relievers, however, may prove harmful in the long term.
One very effective remedy that may help both babies with teething and adults with new dentures comes in a tube. Teething gel can considerably ease the pain of emerging teeth, as well as relieve the soreness caused by new dentures. Active ingredients of teething gel brands may include lidocaine hydrochloride, a local anesthetic that temporarily impedes the pain pathways in the nerves; chlorocresol, a mild antiseptic that gets rid of bacteria or fungi that may infect areas of broken skin in the mouth, and cetylpyridinium, another anti-bacterial antiseptic.
A good teething gel applied to the affected area of the gums with a cotton ball or clean fingers will go a long way to relieving these teeth-related milestones in both babies and adults.
