The emergence of your baby’s first tooth is a huge milestone. While it’s a big event in your baby’s life, it can be very uncomfortable him or her. The more you understand this phase and what you can expect, the more you help you are able to provide for your baby.

What can you expect during the teething process?

Many babies begin teething between 4 and 7 months. For some babies, it can happen at a much later stage.

Usually, the first tooth to emerge is one of the lower, central incisors. Some kids have a pattern of serial eruption while there are also those who experience multiple dental eruptions at the same time. 

Some teeth can be more sensitive when they erupt. The larger molars are usually the ones that cause a significant amount of discomfort due to their larger surface area. They simply can’t ‘slice’ through the gum tissue as what erupting incisors can do.

Although the symptoms of teething could vary from one baby to another, many babies who are teething experience the following:

• Tender and swollen gums
• Fussiness
• Gnawing or wanting to chew on things
• Lots of drooling
• Changes in sleeping and/or eating patterns
• A slightly elevated temperature

What can you do when your baby’s teething?

If your baby seems uncomfortable with his/her teething, you can do the following to soothe his/her gums:

• Rub your baby’s gums
  With the use of your clean finger or moistened gauze pad, you can relieve the discomfort from sore gums. 
• Keep it cool
  Whether it’s a cold washcloth or chilled (not frozen) teething ring, anything that’s ‘cool’ can be soothing to your baby’s gums. 
• Try hard foods
  If your baby is already eating solid food, try offering something edible such as slices of cucumber for gnawing. Keep an eye on your baby as any piece may break off and pose a choking hazard. 
• Use pain medicines
  Make sure to consult your healthcare provider before giving any medicine to your baby. Over-the-counter pain meds such as acetaminophen could help but they could also mask symptoms that are important to know.

If you have other concerns regarding your child’s teething, you can call us. At Cakmes Dental Studio, we have a team who can help you. We take pride in providing the best dental care for our patients.

To schedule an appointment, you can call us (865) 584-6163.

References:

https://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/teething-symptoms-remedies#1

https://www.emedicinehealth.com/teething/article_em.htm#what_are_teething_symptoms_and_signs

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/teething/art-20046378

Halitosis is different from the usual “morning breath” or strong smell that stays after eating a tuna sandwich. It’s chronic bad breath that extends for a certain period of time and can be a sign of something more serious.

What causes halitosis?

Chronic bad breath can be a symptom that something is going on with your body, including:

• Dental issues
  Cavities and gum disease are common mouth issues that can cause halitosis. Both of these conditions create extra places for bad breath-causing bacteria to hide, making them more difficult to clear out when brushing or flossing.
• Dry mouth
  Your saliva plays an important role in your dental health. It helps remove unwanted leftovers in your mouth and aids in the breakdown of food. If you don’t make enough saliva, you may suffer from bad breath. This can happen as a result of medications, certain conditions, smoking, and excessive alcohol use.
• ENT infections
  Infections of the ears, nose, and throat may cause bad breath. It’s because the bacteria feed on the mucus that the body produces when it’s battling an infection.

What are the remedies for halitosis?

Fortunately, there are ways you can do to fix your bad breath problem.

1. Maintain good oral hygiene
   Many cases of halitosis are linked to poor oral hygiene. If you don’t brush and floss your teeth very well, the mouth breaks down the tiny pieces of food that are caught between your teeth. This can produce an odor similar to rotten eggs.
   
   Also, if you don’t brush and floss your teeth well, it can provide a very suitable environment for bad breath-causing bacteria to thrive.
2. Don’t forget to scrape your tongue
   Regular brushing and flossing helps but it’s not enough. Remember, the tongue also houses tons of food particles. So, it’s important to include it as part of your oral hygiene routine.
   
   Get your tongue cleaned by brushing it or using a tongue scraper.
3. Check in with your dentist
   If you’ve been consistent with your oral hygiene routine and still suffer from bad breath, you may want to schedule an appointment with your dentist. With a good, thorough cleaning and exam, your dentist can determine what causes your halitosis and can advise you on your next steps.
   
   Cakmes Dental Studio has well-experienced dental staff who can help you with any dental health issues. We take pride in the quality of dental care we provide to our patients. To request for an appointment, you can call us at (865) 584-6163.

References:

https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/features/natural-home-remedies-for-bad-breath#1

https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/h/halitosis