Parents know that teething can cause the child significant discomfort, as he experiences pain. However, not everyone understands how to help the baby cope with this.
In babies at the age of 7–9 months, teething begins. It cannot pass completely unnoticed, which significantly affects the behavior of the child. There are vagaries, crying, to cope with which the usual way does not always work.
There are many different means to help deal with discomfort, including the use of numerous gels. However, it is important to consider the safety of their use for the baby.
The main signs of teething
The body of each child is individual, so the symptoms can vary slightly. The characteristic signs of teething should include such as:
- profuse salivation;
- poor appetite, anxious sleep, the need to nibble something;
- the appearance of a whitish strip on the gums;
- deterioration in the well-being of the baby;
- temperature rise;
- cough, runny nose, diarrhea.
When teething in a child, certain substances begin to be released, which lead to an increase in temperature. The appearance of diarrhea is due to intestinal function.
Parents should be attentive to the well-being of the baby and, if it worsens, consult a doctor.
How to help baby
To relieve pain, you can use special teethers, which are made of semi-solid rubberized material. They are filled with liquid, so to cool such a toy you need to put it in the refrigerator.
The child carries out massage actions if he gnaws a bagel or a crust of bread. To reduce itching and pain, doctors recommend using a teething gel from 3 months. They contain substances that are safe for the baby and have a very quick effect.
During breastfeeding, you need to carefully select the drug. It is important to consider that when ingested, some components may impede the feeding process. This mainly applies to products containing lidocaine.
During teething, the child needs special attention from loved ones. It is best to distract him with toys, take him to sleep, wear longer on his hands. It will also allow the formation of a stable attachment.
Rating of the best funds
To select a drug, a doctor's consultation is required. In addition, it is recommended to study the rating of teething gels. To subsequently make the right choice. The best tools are considered such as:
- "Kalgel";
- “Baby Doctor First Teeth”;
- Holisal;
- "Dantinorm baby";
- Viburkol;
- “Kamistad”;
- Denthol Baby.
All these drugs have a complex effect and help to quickly and effectively cope with soreness. However, it is worth remembering that they have a different composition and period of exposure, so you need to first study the instructions for use.
What are the types of gels
Before you pick up baby gel for gums when teething, you need to study their characteristics. There are several types of pharmacy products, namely:
- painkillers;
- homeopathic;
- antiseptic.
Which gel to facilitate teething in children is best used, largely depends on the condition of the baby. Minor inflammation of the gums, delivering only slight discomfort, will help eliminate the product with extracts of plant components. They are completely safe for the child's body and contain only natural ingredients. Such a gel for teething from 3 months, you can smear the child fearlessly, provided there is no allergy to plant components.
Painkillers are used only for severe inflammation with unbearable pain. Soreness will help reduce synthetic components with the effect of local anesthesia, in particular, such as benzocaine or lidocaine.
The analgesic effect occurs almost instantly and lasts several hours. The problem is that, being part of the anesthetic, absorbed into the blood, can harm the body. Due to the cooling effect, they can cause tingling or numbness of the tongue, thereby hampering the process of breast sucking, and worsen appetite. Therefore, the use of such local anesthetics is recommended only in the most extreme cases and with strict adherence to the dosage.
With severe inflammation and the presence of suppuration on the gums, the doctor may recommend lubricating the site of infection with antiseptic ointments and gels. They will help not only eliminate inflammation, but also stop the reproduction of pathogens. Their dosage should be strictly limited.
Local anesthetics
Before choosing a remedy that will help eliminate pain and inflammation, you must definitely study the review of gels. When teething, it is recommended to select drugs that have anesthetic effect. These include such as:
- “Kamistad Baby”;
- "Kalgel";
- Holisal;
- Dentinox.
Gel “Kamistad Baby” includes many anti-inflammatory and analgesic components, which are most often used during the period when the baby's teeth are actively erupted. When applied to the affected area, they help eliminate unpleasant symptoms. It’s impossible to choose a universal remedy that suits everyone, since the perception of the components by the child’s body can vary.
Gel "Kamistad Baby" is often used in pediatric dentistry. Its composition is diverse and guaranteed to immediately provide several positive actions, namely:
- elimination of inflammation;
- local anesthesia;
- protection;
- antibacterial treatment.
It consists of polydocanol and chamomile extract, which penetrate the pain center and quickly eliminate soreness. Ideal for babies. A pleasant aftertaste and aroma of chamomile will surely please every baby. Available in a tube of 10 grams. One package is enough for a long time. This tool has a gel translucent gel texture of a yellowish tint.
The main advantages of this tool is the rapid elimination of pain, a comprehensive effect, the minimum age limit from 3 months. The disadvantages include the presence of contraindications, as well as the content in the composition of food additives, dyes and flavorings. Use this drug can be no more than 3 times a day. It is recommended to apply the gel before bedtime or after feeding.
Many parents are interested in how old Kalgel can be used safely for children and what effect this drug has. This is a local action preparation made on the basis of lidocaine. It works as an anesthetic and also has an antiseptic effect on many fungi and bacteria. The drug begins its analgesic effect literally 1–2 minutes after it is rubbed into the gums. However, it is worth remembering that its action is short-lived, and this remedy helps the child for no more than 15 minutes.
Secondary application is also possible, but drug abuse is not recommended. You can use it up to 6 times a day as much as possible. This tool is well suited not only for pain relief, it is also recommended for thrush.
Available in gel form. Contained in a tube with a dispenser. It has a rather pleasant taste and consistency, due to which the gel does not spread when used. Approved for use from 5 months. The main advantages are quick relief from pain, good quality, antiseptic effect. The disadvantages include the short-term effect and the possibility of allergies.
Dentinox gel, which helps to quickly get rid of painful manifestations, gained great popularity when teething. Lidocaine acts as an anesthetic. Also, the composition of the medicine includes chamomile infusion and polydocanol. They help prevent the proliferation of bacteria.
Lubricating the inflamed area, you can alleviate the condition of the baby for 15 minutes. Apply the gel several times a day. The absence of sugar in the medicine makes Dentinox safe for teeth. The medicine practically does not have side effects, so it is quite possible to use it for a baby from 4 months. Do not apply if there are sores or scratches on the gums. It is recommended to use no more than 3 times a day.
Gel "Holisal" for children is used quite often. It contains several active components, in particular, choline salicylate and cetalkonium chloride. This tool helps to destroy pathogens, eliminates pain and inflammation. After applying it, the baby immediately feels relief. It has a special structure that is retained on the mucosa and helps to eliminate pain for a long time. Its action lasts about 3 hours. Recommended gel "Holisal" for children from 1 year. In addition, intolerance to the components of the drug may be observed.
Homeopathic remedies
Homeopathic teething gels without lidocaine also have excellent results. Well proven drug "Traumeel S". It helps eliminate pain, swelling and inflammation. This product consists entirely of natural ingredients. It contains arnica, chamomile, belladonna, calendula, echinacea. The maximum possible effect is achieved if the gel is applied to the entire surface of the oral mucosa. It is recommended to use it 3 times a day.
This tool is used not only for teething, but also for diseases of the oral cavity, accompanied by inflammation. Often prescribed to children under 3 years old due to the natural plant composition. However, it must be remembered that it has many contraindications for use. The drug can cause serious allergies.
The most popular gels, with teething which are prescribed most often, include the drug "Pansoral". The composition includes only extracts of medicinal plants. It is allowed to use it from 4 months. Despite the fact that its therapeutic effect is not sufficiently pronounced, it can be used without fear, since there are almost no restrictions.
Other means
A very good remedy is Denthol Baby. It is a gel of liquid consistency, which has a fairly quick cooling effect. Available in a small tube of 15 grams with a convenient narrow neck. The composition of "Dentol Baby" includes anesthetic benzocaine.
It has a sweetish aftertaste. Experts recommend using it at night so that the baby can sleep peacefully. The analgesic effect lasts for 10-15 minutes. It begins to act immediately after application. A small amount of gel helps to quickly eliminate pain. Among the main advantages it can be distinguished that one package lasts for a long time. It works almost instantly. The disadvantages are the fact that the composition contains flavoring and coloring. In addition, the effect of analgesia does not last long and passes after 15 minutes.
It is recommended to apply on the gums no more than 7 days and no more than 4 times a day. It should not be used in the presence of damage and inflammation in the oral cavity.
The Baby Doctor gel has the optimal composition for infants. It helps to quickly eliminate pain and calm the baby. However, it is worth remembering that the number of applications per day is limited. The safe composition of the Baby Doctor gel does not cause allergies in babies. It contains useful components, in particular, such as echinacea, calendula, chamomile, plantain. They reduce inflammation of the mucosa, have an antibacterial effect and prolong the action of the main active substance, forming a kind of film.
The main advantages include high quality, quick results immediately after use, reliability, safe composition. Disadvantages of this tool were not identified.
Mundizal gel is used not only for teething, but also for various dental problems that cause pain and inflammation. The main component is choline salicylate. It has an analgesic effect. An additional component is anise oil. It gives the gel a specific aroma and light cooling effect. The drug helps to effectively cope with germs and fungi in the oral cavity. In some cases, there may be a slight burning sensation after application.
Gel "Holikaps" is allowed to be used for children with teething after a year. The main component is choline salicylate. The gel has an analgesic effect, but when it is applied, a slight burning sensation may occur. It has an effect on microbes and fungi.
How to use the gel
You can use many gels for teething from 3 months, however, before you start using the drug, you must definitely study the instructions. To achieve maximum results, it is important to consider the main recommendations, namely:
- apply only with painful manifestations in the baby;
- use every 3-4 hours, but no more than 3-5 times daily;
- do not apply a large amount of gel;
- lubricate the gums with massaging movements with clean hands or a cotton swab.
Drugs should be used immediately when the first teeth begin to appear. The duration of their use is up to several days.
Is it worth it to use gels
Teething gel for teething is used to eliminate unpleasant symptoms. They have such an effect as:
- eliminate pain;
- relieve inflammation;
- reduce itching.
Some products have an antibacterial effect and help prevent dirt from entering the micro-wounds. In addition, gels should be used if:
- teethers do not help;
- the baby is naughty all the time;
- refuses food;
- asks for arms;
- sleeps poorly;
- doesn't want to play.
The symptoms of teething are quite extensive, so you need to carefully monitor your baby.
Side effects
When choosing teething gels from 3 months, you need to remember that they have certain contraindications and side effects that must be taken into account. Among the main contraindications, you need to consider such as:
- individual intolerance to components;
- violation of the heart;
- renal and liver failure;
- low pressure.
With improper use of the drug, various kinds of complications can occur, in particular, such as:
- allergy;
- suppuration and inflammation of the gums;
- rashes.
If there are problems with the gums, then you should definitely contact your dentist so that he removes inflammation and pus. In addition, treatment with a tissue swab dipped in a decoction of medicinal herbs may be required. This will remove inflammation and pathogens.
Allergies may occur to lidocaine. If it occurs, a replacement with another medicine with a herbal composition will be required.
Before using any of the medicines, you need to consult a pediatrician and study the instructions. This will help you choose the most effective and safe medicine.