Teething babies need semi-hard and easy-to-chew foods that create counter-pressure for the incoming teeth. Teething biscuits and cold foods can offer relief, while harder foods should be avoided. Swollen gums may indicate infection and require medical attention.
The best teething foods include semi-hard and easy-to-chew foods. Usually, a baby begins to produce teeth at six months of age. These teeth arrive in pairs, usually starting with the first two on the lower midgum and the next pair on the upper midgum. There may be some pressure on the gum area and the baby will feel the need to gnaw or bite on something hard. The best teething foods create counter-pressure for the newly incoming teeth, but they should not break into larger pieces or be a choking hazard for the baby.
Teething biscuits are made specifically for babies producing new teeth. These cookies have a hard texture, but after saliva has softened them, they break into small pieces. When the baby chews on them, they are hard enough to offer back pressure to the gums, but at the same time, they are perfectly safe to suck on and lick. Teething biscuits are one of the best foods for teething babies and come in a variety of flavors.
Saltine crackers can be just as effective as crackers, but they are not very hard in texture. They are mainly used if the baby’s gums are red and swollen. When this happens, a baby may feel discomfort or even pain around the tooth. Harder foods should be avoided during this time, until the gums return to normal.
Cold foods can also be counted as some of the best teething foods, especially if the baby is in discomfort or pain. Pieces of fruit or canned baby food should be placed in the refrigerator and cooled before use. This offers some teething pain relief and may even reduce swelling as well. Although refrigerated fruits can be very nutritious, they do contain glucose. Too much glucose in a daily diet can cause tooth decay, so they should only be used sparingly.
Hard foods like bagels or large frozen vegetables should be avoided during the teething process and are not good examples of the best foods for teething babies. These foods tend to break into large pieces and present a choking hazard. Red, swollen gums are a normal symptom of teething, but they can also be a sign of infection. A pediatrician should be seen immediately if a baby’s temperature exceeds 101 degrees Fahrenhet (around 38°C), during teething.
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