Irritability during teething or teething is a common complaint in babies as the teeth begin to erupt in the mouth. Dentition usually starts when a baby is about 6 months old. The babies during this time become fussy, stubborn and cry very often, along with excessive irritability. The reason behind this is the discomfort they feel in the gums as the tooth tries to come out of the gums (tooth eruption). They feel pain, swelling and tenderness (pain to touch) in the gums at the time of tooth eruption. In addition to the above, they have excessive salivation (also known as drooling), they have a tendency to bite anything to reduce gum irritation, they have a loss of appetite, they rub their cheeks and pull on their ears. Some babies also experience dental diarrhea, although this is not directly related to the teeth. Diarrhea can occur due to the ingestion of germs from an object that a baby has placed in the mouth while brushing their teeth to soothe gum irritation. In some cases, a mild fever may also occur during dental work. The intensity of the signs and symptoms varies from child to child.
Homeopathic treatment
Homeopathy has great potential to control irritability in a baby during teething in a very safe and natural way. These medications are very suitable for children and have no side effects. They are intended to control irritability in babies by soothing the discomfort, pain and sensitivity of the gums. Besides irritability, the homeopathic medicines also help in controlling associated problems such as excessive salivation, pain, swelling and tenderness of the gums and diarrhea that may occur during tooth brushing. The medicines are purely of natural origin, prepared from natural substances and therefore very safe. These medications are selected individually for each case based on the symptoms. It is advisable to always consult a homeopathic doctor before using any of the homeopathic medicines. A homeopathic doctor will assess the case and prescribe the most appropriate remedy. Never prescribe a homeopathic medicine yourself without consulting a homeopathic doctor.
Homeopathic medicines for teeth in babies
1. Chamomilla – Most medicine
Chamomilla is a very effective medicine in homeopathy to address various types of problems in babies during dentition. It is the most commonly used medication to control irritability in a child during dental surgery. Children who require this medication remain extremely irritable throughout the day. They are very fussy, have a bad mood and cry a lot because of the discomfort they experience in the gums. They want to be held in arms all the time; they feel better and calmer this way. In addition to being irritable, they also become very stubborn during teething. They often shout and throw things away. When examining the mouth, the gums appear red. They are also painful to the touch with a desire to bite anything nearby. Another very characteristic feature that may be present is that one cheek is red and warm while the other is pale and cold during teething. The above complaints can often be accompanied by diarrhea. The stool is watery and yellowish green. It has a very foul or sour smell. Gas in the abdomen may be present.
2. Cina – With a lot of crying, screaming and hitting others
This medicine is very similar in effect to Chamomilla and is also often prescribed to soothe irritability while brushing your teeth. The children who need this medicine are very irritable while brushing their teeth. They want to be held in their arms all day long, but still don’t feel well. They cry a lot, scream and hit everyone around them. They don’t want to be touched by anyone. They feel constantly uncomfortable and stressed. They often ask for different things but refuse to take when given and throw things away from them. They are dissatisfied with everything. They may also have loose stools with white mucus in them. The abdomen may be hard and bloated and may be accompanied by pain.
3. Calcarea Phos – With loose stools with a lot of gas
Calcarea Phos is the next well indicated medicine to control irritability during tooth brushing. Children who need this drug are very irritable and irritable. They exhibit changeable moods. They become stubborn and difficult to please. In addition, they pass loose stools containing a lot of gas. White flakes may also end up in the stool. There is stomach pain in them which gets better due to gas. The gas has a foul odor.
4. Rheum – With sour smelling sweating
This medicine is very suitable if there is sour-smelling sweat and irritability while brushing your teeth. There is marked restlessness and irritability in a child who needs this. The baby cries a lot and sometimes longs for many things or for a specific thing. They even start to hate their favorite things. An important characteristic is acid-smelling sweat. Even after bathing, the sour smell remains. The sweat is marked on the scalp, forehead, around the mouth and nose. The sweat can leave a yellow stain. In addition to sweat, the stool also smells sour. During the defecation process, the baby may feel pain in the abdomen. Salivation increases along with the sour odor from the mouth.
5. Belladonna – With heat and redness of the gums
Belladonna is recommended if there is irritability during teething, along with marked heat and redness of the gums. The gums are also painful and swollen. The child who needs this is very irritable. There is also a tendency to bite and hit others. Restlessness is clearly visible. He/she may start to cry easily.
6. Calcarea Carb – With acidic sweat and acidic stools
This medicine is indicated for irritability along with crying, acidic sweat and acidic stools. The stool smells sour and contains undigested food particles. The abdomen is quite swollen and hard. Vomiting may also occur with a sour odor. There is a tendency to profuse sour-smelling sweat on the scalp. In many cases there is also excessive scratching of the head.
7. Podophyllum – When accompanied by the desire to press the gums together
Podophyllum is a valuable drug for the treatment of cases when irritability is accompanied by an excessive desire to press the gums together. The baby also suffers from diarrhea. The child who needs it will have a greenish, sour-smelling, loose stool, especially in the morning. In addition, there is gas in the abdomen. There is marked heat in the head during dentition and rolling of the head from side to side. At night there is excessive sweating on the head along with insomnia in the early part of the night.
8. Kreosote – Along with insomnia
Kreosote is indicated for cases of irritability and insomnia. The child remains irritable, worrying and also cries at night. The child is very restless and loves to be constantly moved in the arms. The gums are swollen and bluish. The child becomes very angry and stubborn. There is a desire for many things, but when these things are given, he throws them away.
9. Arsenic album – With restlessness at night
This medicine may be considered if there is irritability and nighttime restlessness. There is loose, watery, brown stool. Undigested food passes through the feces. The child looks thin and appears to be losing weight.