How to deal with children's swollen gums?

Swollen gums in children are a fairly common problem that many parents struggle with. How do swollen gums occur and what to do if your children are also struggling with this issue? We'll share with you what helps to cure swollen gums in children.

How do swollen gums occur in children?

There can be several causes of swollen gums in children. However, the most common one is teething. Teething occurs from about six months of age, and it is often accompanied by swollen gums, gingivitis, pain or increased temperature.

Just before the tooth erupts, the gum area is red, swollen, and painful. This is followed by a white spot formation that indicates that the tooth is about to erupt. After the eruption, all unpleasant symptoms disappear.

However, teething is not the only possible cause of swollen gums. Gingivitis and other dental issues need to be taken into consideration as well.

How to tell if a child is teething?

How can one tell that the swelling of the gums is caused by teething? Teething babies often put their fists in their mouths, dribble a lot, get tired faster and cry a lot. They also often wake up at night, refuse food or warm milk, and in some cases, diarrhea and fever may occur.

If the diarrhea and increased temperature persist for more than one day, you should contact your pediatrician, given that with diarrhea babies lose a lot of fluids, which are often difficult to replenish if the baby refuses them. Dehydration is therefore very likely to occur.

How long does it take for a child's teeth to erupt?

Usually around six months of age, the incisors are the first to start erupting, followed by the molars, canines and finally the back molars. The baby teeth are erupted until about age 3, when the child has 20 milk teeth.

From the moment the first teeth appear, you need to start caring for them and brushing them. For example, you can clean the first teeth with a damp cloth wrapped around your finger or a finger toothbrush. As soon as the baby's molars grow in, you should reach for a special baby toothbrush and a baby toothpaste, which you can buy in a pharmacy.

What to do if a baby has swollen gums?

If the swollen gums in child are caused by teething, you can relieve the pain in several ways. For example, it is recommended to massage the gums with a clean finger or a silicone finger toothbrush.

Teething toys and teethers are also very efficient. An expert tip is to choose a teether that can be filled with sterile water and put in the fridge for a while, as a cold teether can more effectively reduce swelling and pain.

Last but not least, special balms and gels help to soothe sore and swollen gums. On the other hand, you should avoid painkillers or sleeping pills, which are only given to such young children in necessary situations and their usage should always be consulted with a doctor.

Tip: Kamistad Baby Gel

Kamistad Baby Gel is an effective over-the-counter remedy for swollen gums in children. It is a gum massage gel containing chamomile that soothes sore gums, relieves teething pain and is pleasantly cooling. The gel does not contain sugar or alcohol and therefore is suitable even for new-borns.

Baby swollen gums can also be caused by gingivitis

In addition to teething, swollen gums in child can also be caused by poor dental hygiene, which can lead to gingivitis. Children's gum hygiene needs to be taken care of from birth, even before the first teeth are erupted. It is advisable to wipe the gums with a damp cloth or massage them gently after each breastfeeding or feeding. Regular gentle gum massage also helps the milk teeth to erupt more easily.

Symptoms of gingivitis in children include swollen gums around the tooth (if erupted), discolouration of the gums, bleeding gums and, in the acute phase, pain accompanied by increased temperature. The treatment of gingivitis consists in modifying dental hygiene. Therefore, if your child develops inflammation, do not treat it with painkillers, but immediately visit a dentist who will show you the correct cleaning technique and, if necessary, treat the painful areas locally.