Non-Pharmacological Treatment Options
Common non-pharmacological strategies against teething pain involve cooling and/or rubbing of the inflamed gums <1,2>. Rubbing the baby’s gums with a clean finger or using the back of a cooled spoon is an effective way of temporarily relieving teething pain <3>. Babies will tend to chew and bite on objects to reduce gum irritation. Giving babies cooled objects to chew on can have a temporary numbing effect and better ease the gum inflammation <4>. If teething rings are used, ensure that there are no small parts that could break off and cause choking hazards. Purchase teething rings that are made of firm rubber and not fluid-filled, especially if the baby already has some teeth development. These teeth may poke holes in the fluid-filled teethers and could possibly break off into smaller pieces causing choking hazards <3>.
Some examples of cooling strategies for teething pain <3,4>:
Some examples of rubbing strategies for teething pain <3,4>:
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References:
1. Ashley MP. It’s only teething…a report of the myths and modern approaches to teething. BDJ 2001;191(1):4-8.
2. McIntyre GT, et al. Teething troubles? BDJ 2002;192(5):251-255.
3. Bourassa M. Patient Self-Care. Chapter 87: Teething. 2nd ed. Toronto, ON: Canadian Pharmacists Association; 2010:851-856.
4. Tsang AKL. Teething, teething pain and teething remedies. International Dentistry South Africa 2010:12(5):48-61.
Images:
http://0.tqn.com/d/greenfamily/1/0/5/0/-/-/Screen-shot-2012-07-13-at-3.47.17-PM.png
http://econutssoap.com/newtest/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/cutebaby.jpg
1. Ashley MP. It’s only teething…a report of the myths and modern approaches to teething. BDJ 2001;191(1):4-8.
2. McIntyre GT, et al. Teething troubles? BDJ 2002;192(5):251-255.
3. Bourassa M. Patient Self-Care. Chapter 87: Teething. 2nd ed. Toronto, ON: Canadian Pharmacists Association; 2010:851-856.
4. Tsang AKL. Teething, teething pain and teething remedies. International Dentistry South Africa 2010:12(5):48-61.
Images:
http://0.tqn.com/d/greenfamily/1/0/5/0/-/-/Screen-shot-2012-07-13-at-3.47.17-PM.png
http://econutssoap.com/newtest/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/cutebaby.jpg