Top 5 Teething Myths & The Truth Behind Them

Teething is an important phase in the growth & development of a toddler. Associated with it are many myths and superstitions which make many parents worry about their children. Understanding the distinction between myths and the truth behind them can help you to manage the situation better.

Myths and Facts related to Teething

1. Myth: Baby teeth are not that critical

Fact:

Baby teeth though temporary are essential for your baby to eat and to provide the base for adult teeth to pop out. In case a baby tooth is blocked because of lack of proper care, the other teeth could shift in the space crowding out the space for the adult tooth to grow.

In addition to this, the tiny teeth help to maintain the facial structure and help in your baby’s speech development.

2. Myth: Don't use a fluoride toothpaste

Fact:

Though the thought prevailed once, experts now advise using fluoride toothpaste right from when the baby's teeth pop out. The reason for usage is that fluoride can significantly reduce the chances of tooth decay and prevent the appearance of rough surfaces.

To prevent them from swallowing the toothpaste instead of spitting it out, use toothpaste only the size of a rice grain.

3. Myth: Babies will not get a cavity

Fact:

A cavity can occur in anyone who has teeth. If left untreated, a cavity can cause the tooth to become infected and result in pain & swelling. Besides this, it can also result in damage to the permanent tooth. To prevent any cavity formation, avoid feeding any sugary products and keep the teeth clean.

4. Myth: Teething results in sickness

Fact:

According to recent research, teething can result in diarrhoea, fever and a bunch of other problems, which include a rise in temperature.

In case your baby develops acute signs of sickness during the teething process, contact your doctor for the right treatment.

5. Myth: You should brush their teeth only once daily

Fact:

Brushing twice a day is recommended to ensure plaque removal as it takes around 24 hours for the bacterial build to damage the structure of teeth. Start by picking a soft bristled tooth brush and toothpaste in the size of a rice grain to brush your baby’s teeth in small circles. Check out the silicon finger toothbrush which easily fits into a mother's index finger and effectively removes all kinds of oral and miilk stains. Cleaning the baby's tongue regularly is also a good practice.

You may like: Is your child four to seven months old and teething? Here is everything you need to know about it. (mylofamily.com)

References

1. Owais AI, Zawaideh F, Al-Batayneh OB. (2010). Challenging parents' myths regarding their children's teething. www.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov​​​​​​