February is National Children’s Oral Health Month
Dr. Ronald Hsu
for Clark County Today
February is National Children’s Oral Health Month, which means it is a great time to revisit how to help your infant deal with the painful process of teething.Children can start teething as young as 2 to 3 months, though most start at 6 months and they generally have all of their baby teeth fully formed by age 3. While this is an exciting milestone in your little one’s growth, it can also be a time of discomfort for the kids and parents.
Rather than just grin and bear it there are several ways to help children overcome their teething pain and gum soreness.
No one enjoys hearing their baby cry or be in pain, which is why solutions to help ease the discomfort experienced by infants while teething are so important to know. Alleviating your child’s pain in a safe manner is of utmost importance. Talk to your health professionals for ways they can help beyond Do It Yourself methods.
Here are a few teething tips and tricks
Teething Rings: Provide pressure by chewing, which helps alleviate discomfort. Nearly anything can be used for infants to chew on, but rubber rings are best for delicate mouths. Avoid rings which are filled with liquid or made from plastic, as they can develop sharp edges or break. Frozen Otter Pops are another great tool, especially when they are just slightly thawed.
Mouth Cooling: A great way to alleviate soreness in your little one’s mouth is tying a washcloth at one end to create a knot, putting it in the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes and then letting your infant chew on it. Avoid putting teething rings in the freezer for too long as it can make the ring too hard for their mouth. If your child is eating solids, then you can also give them a frozen banana or bagel, or cool water in a sippy cup to drink.
Gum Rubbing: Helps ease discomfort by rubbing the area where teeth are coming in. Make sure your finger is clean — or use a washcloth — to gently rub your child’s mouth.
Teething Gels: In general, teething gel or naturopathic tablets that purport to alleviate pain can both be dangerous to infants and are not recommended. Cold temperature is the best remedy, and keeping things clean will reduce inflammation, which helps reduce the pain your child is feeling.
It is also important to make your child’s first dental appointment as soon as teeth start coming in and for sure before your child’s first birthday. Early dentist appointments set a solid foundation for the healthy growth of your child’s baby and adult teeth.…
Dr. Ronald Hsu is a board-certified pediatric dentist in Camas who serves as one of Delta Dental of Washington’s dental spokespersons.
Also read:
- Letter: Upcoming meetings will help ‘shape the future’ of Clark County
Margaret Tweet urges residents to participate in several Nov. 18 meetings that will influence C-TRAN board composition, transit funding and Clark County policies. - Opinion: Shrinking UI Trust Fund could cause businesses — and their workers — more pain
Elizabeth New (Hovde) warns that Washington’s UI fund is weakening and that SB 5041 could increase costs for employers and workers. - C-TRAN announces early roll-out of Honored fare expansionC-TRAN will expand its Honored fare program early, allowing low-income riders to qualify for half-price fares beginning November 17.
- VFD responds to duplex fireVancouver Fire Department crews contained a duplex fire on SE Morgan Road after heavy smoke and flames spread into the attic, sending one adult to the hospital for smoke inhalation.
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Washington expands to Peter S. Ogden Elementary SchoolThe new Ogden Elementary Club will open in January 2026, offering free after-school and summer programs for hundreds of students through a 21st CCLC grant.
- Opinion: You did it Democrats!So bravo, Democrats — you saved democracy, all right; you just forgot to save the people living in it.
- Opinion: TriMet needs ZERO new light rail vehicles for the I-5 Bridge replacementThe column details TriMet’s large spare MAX fleet, revised ridership projections, and cost comparisons with C-TRAN buses in the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program.
