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Teething is a difficult time for children, but also for parents. A teething toddler is a sleepless night, constant crying and whining that parents have to deal with somehow to help their baby through this painful period. Therefore, it is worth knowing which proven teething gel to use and how and when to use it to relieve your child during teething.
What is teething gel?
Teething gel is a preparation whose task is to reduce pain during teething. To be effective, the teething gel should contain an analgesic and a substance that will soothe irritated gums and reduce inflammation. The most commonly used active substances in teething gel are lidocaine and plant and herbal extracts. Lidocaine is a local anesthetic and has a fast but short-lasting effect. On the other hand, the extract of plants and herbs contained in the teething gel have an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, soothing and calming effect. The most commonly used plants are chamomile, thyme, sage, and scarlet. Remember that teething gel is a medicine and should be used wisely. Gums lubricated with gel containing lidocaine too often can cause adverse reactions in children, such as: problems with breathing, swallowing, damage to the nervous system or heart problems. Therefore, when using the gel on the gums, be careful not to overdose and follow the recommendations indicated in the leaflet or the doctor’s recommendations.
When and how to use teething gel?
The use of teething gel should depend primarily on the pain and discomfort of the child. How can you tell if your baby is going through a painful period of teething? There are several common symptoms of teething, including: fluffy and red gums, drooling more than usual, putting hands and things in the mouth every now and then, being fussy, tearful and having trouble sleeping. Some children may also develop diarrhea and a high temperature. After recognizing the symptoms, it is worth using a teething gel, which will have an analgesic, anti-inflammatory and cooling effect, from the moment the first teeth appear until the end of the teething period. The teething gel is applied topically and directly to the swollen gum, thanks to which we get immediate effect. The teething gel can be used at any stage of teething, regardless of the age of the child.
The availability of teething gel is common and you can easily find it at any pharmacy without a prescription.
The teething gel should be applied with a clean finger, no larger than the size recommended in the leaflet and rubbed over the baby’s gums. Remember to always read the leaflet that comes with the teething gel, so you will avoid complications and side reactions caused by overdosing the preparation.
How to choose a teething gel?
There are many types of teething gels on the market that differ in price, packaging, composition and manufacturer. Below are some of the most frequently recommended teething gels by parents. The first one is Bobodent, which can also be used in the event of gingivitis or wisdom tooth eruption. The active ingredient is lidocaine supplemented with excipients such as wild chamomile and thyme. This gel can be used no more than three times a day by spreading it with a cotton swab or stick over the sore spot. Another teething gel is Dentinox, whose active substances are chamomile flower and lidocaine, it works effectively and quickly, reducing pain and having anti-inflammatory properties. It can be used, like Bobodent, no more than three times a day. The last of the recommended teething gels containing lidocaine and cetylpyridinium chloride is Calgel. This preparation has an analgesic effect, soothes irritation of the gums and has a slight antiseptic effect. Parents who are looking for a teething gel that does not contain anesthetic ingredients and whose composition is based only on herbs, can also find something for their little ones in the pharmacy. One of the natural teething gels is Dentibaby, which contains extracts of chamomile flower, valerian root and propolis. Dologel teething gel has a similar composition. A popular and natural gel is Kin-Baby, containing chamomile, sage and provitamin B5, and Pansoral, based on marshmallow and chamomile.
Before use, read the leaflet, which contains indications, contraindications, data on side effects and dosage as well as information on the use of the medicinal product, or consult your doctor or pharmacist, as each drug used improperly is a threat to your life or health.