Teething tablets? Top teeth first?

Question

How many of you have tried teething tablets? Do they work better than Orajel? I have 4.5 month old who is teething pretty badly and it seems to be getting worse the passed couple of days. The Orajel seems to be wearing off before it is time to apply more. Also, has anyone's child(ren) gotten their top teeth before the bottom? His top gums seem to be much more tender/inflammed than the bottom.

For "sophieb"...I have a few of those teething rings that you put in the fridg, but he hates them...He just gets angry when we give them to him....

Answer 1

Humphrey's teething tabs were a lifesaver for our second child. We didn't even know about them when we had our first. Yes, I think they are better than Orajel. The doctor also told us that we could use benadryl rubbed on the gums.

Top or bottom, I don't know. I think it depends on the child. The front ones definitely pop up first. They're also the first to go once they hit 5-7 years of age. It's kind of neat--the symmetry of it all.

Also, what I've found with my children, is that asking the pharmacist often helps a lot. Sometimes they know tricks even the doctors don't.

Also, I loved the little blue Gerber gum brush! The kids loved it, too. I would rub their gums (just with water) to keep them clean and they'd chew at it and sooth their sore little gums. Of course I had to abandon the practice when more teeth showed up to save my fingers!

Answer 2

LOVE Hyland's teething tablets. however, I've heard that they don't work on every baby. but when they do work, its almost instant relief for you and the baby. I would definately give them a shot. you can also use orajel. I used the night time formula. its a little stronger & seemed to work a little better. but I didn't use it often. used the teething tablets most. you can also buy the water filled teething rings/toys & put them in the fridge or freezer (freezer keeps them colder longer). also, infant motrin or ibuprofen. its a pain reliever as well as an anti-inflammatory that will help with the swollen gums. you may want to reserve this for nap or bed time. I don't like to give my kids meds round the clock if I don't have to. and the teething tablets are homeopathic. so they can be used with the ibuprofen. Good Luck!

Answer 3

I've used both, and I think it works best if you give the tablet, then apply Orajel because it's instant and seems to give relief until the tablet takes effect. My twins have been teething for 4 months (they'll be 8 months next week), and one just got his first bottom tooth--no signs of top teeth.

Answer 4

Hyland's Teething Tablets are the best teething remedy out there. They work really well and I've used them with all of my kids.

Other good teething remedies:

wet a washcloth and freeze it
ice cube tied up in a baby sock
ice cube in a Baby Safe Feeder (mesh feeding bag)
metal spoon that has been kept in freezer
stalk of cold, hard celery

Answer 5

Try Humphreys, they work great. They can be a little hard to find but they are out there. My sister used to make us ship them to her because that was the only thing that worked. I believe you can find them at Target. Good luck. I do not think it is abnormal to get the top teeth first.

Answer 6

i have used the teething tablets, they work great especially at night, its like it allows the baby to relax, and my son got his bottom teeth first but i dont think it really matters, ive seen babies that got top teeth first, i definitely would reccomend the teething tablets, my moms neighbor recommended them to me and im glad she did, they helped me and my son through what can be a very difficult time, good luck.

Answer 7

My daughter had a hard time teething, and Hylands homeopathic teething tablets worked well for us.

Good luck!

Answer 8

Whenever your child begins teething, you may notice that your child seems to drool more, and seems to want to chew on things. For some babies, teething is painless. Others may experience brief periods of irritability, and some may seem cranky for weeks, experiencing crying episodes and disrupted sleeping and eating patterns. Teething can be uncomfortable, but if your baby seems very irritable, contact your child's doctor.

Although tender and swollen gums could cause your baby's temperature to be a little higher than normal, teething, as a rule, does not cause high fever or diarrhea. If your baby does develop a fever during the teething phase, it is probably due to something else and your child's doctor should be contacted.

Here are some tips to keep in mind when your baby is teething:

Wipe your baby's face often with a cloth to remove the drool and prevent rashes from developing.
Place a clean, flat cloth under the baby's head during sleep to catch the drool. This way, you'll only have to change the cloth when it gets wet, not the whole sheet.
Give your baby something to chew on. Make sure it's big enough so that he or she can't swallow it and that it can't break into small pieces. A wet washcloth placed in the freezer for 30 minutes makes a handy teething aid - just be sure to wash it after each use. Rubber teething rings are also good, but avoid the ones with liquid inside because they may break. If you use a teething ring, be sure to take it out of the freezer before it becomes rock hard - you don't want to bruise those already swollen gums!
Rub your baby's gums with a clean finger.
Never tie a teething ring around a baby's neck, as it could get caught on something and strangle the baby.
If your baby seems irritable, acetaminophen may help - but always consult your child's doctor first. Never place an aspirin against the tooth, and don't rub whiskey on your baby's gums.
Baby Teeth Hygiene
The care and cleaning of your baby's teeth is important for long-term dental health. Even though the first set of teeth will fall out, tooth decay can hasten this process and leave gaps before the permanent teeth are ready to come in. The remaining primary teeth may then crowd together to attempt to fill in the gaps, which may cause the permanent teeth to come in crooked and out of place.

Daily dental care should begin even before your baby's first tooth emerges. Wipe your baby's gums daily with a clean, damp washcloth or gauze, or brush them gently with a soft, infant-sized toothbrush and water (no toothpaste!). As soon as the first tooth appears, brush them with water.

Toothpaste is OK to use on your child's teeth once he or she gets old enough to spit it out - usually around age 3. Choose one with fluoride and use only a pea-sized amount or less in younger children. Don't let your child swallow the toothpaste or eat it out of the tube because an overdose of fluoride can be harmful for children.

By the time all your baby's teeth are in, it's a good idea to brush your child's teeth at least twice a day, and especially after meals. It's also important to get your child used to flossing early on. A good time to start flossing is when two teeth start to touch. Talk to your child's dentist for advice on flossing those tiny teeth. You can also get your toddler interested in the routine by letting him or her watch and imitate you as you brush and floss on a regular basis.

Another important tip for preventing tooth decay: don't let your baby fall asleep with a bottle. The milk or juice can pool in her mouth and cause tooth decay and plaque.

The American Dental Association recommends that children see a dentist by age 1, when six to eight teeth are in place, to spot any potential problems and advise parents about preventive care.

Answer 9

don't they sell teething rings anymore (with the jel in them? that you put in the frig to keep them cool...that the child sucks on...)

Answer 10

i used HIGHLAND TEETHING TABLETS and they worked wonders for my son