How to massage your baby’s gums
Gum massage has been proven to be a very effective means of treating and preventing gingivitis. However, gum massage is not only beneficial for adults, but also for children, especially when they are teething. Why exactly is gum massage good for children and how to perform it?
Massaging the gums when the first teeth are growing
Around the age of six months, the baby starts to get restless and irritable, cries more, dribbles a lot and tends to stick his or her fingers in the mouth. Almost all parents have encountered a similar scenario. These are common symptoms of growing teeth, which can sometimes cause a lot of trouble for both the child and the parents.
Tooth eruption can also manifest itself in refusal to eat and drink or increased temperature. Children's cheeks can be red, and the gum around the area where the tooth starts to grow is swollen, soft and dark. One way to relieve children of pain associated with tooth growth is to massage the gums.
Why is gum massage good for children?
As we've already mentioned, gum massage is an effective way to help children from teething pain. According to dentists, the most useful way to massage a child's gums is to use a finger, for example, dipped in organic coconut oil, so that the finger glides over the gum well.
Teething lasts from about the sixth to sixteenth month of age and each tooth takes about eight days to erupt. Around the child's third birthday, children usually have all 20 baby teeth.
Essential tools for gum massage
For babies who are just teething, it is enough to gently massage the gums with a clean finger. You can also use your finger to gently massage a special gel into the gums to relieve pain. Massaging your child's gums not only relieves discomfort, but the gentle interaction with you can calm them. In addition to a clean finger, you can also massage the gums with a small piece of moistened gauze.
Once your child has one or more teeth and finger massage becomes difficult due to sharp teeth, you can get your child a textured teether or a baby gum massager. Choose one that reaches all the way to the back of the baby's mouth without the baby choking or gagging. The raised textures on the teether are designed to target the sensitive area. Some teething toys can be filled with water and left to cool in the fridge, which increases the analgesic effect of the massage.
Tip: Kamistad Baby Gel
An effective way to relieve your baby's teething pain is to massage the gums in combination with the use of Kamistad Baby Gel, a chamomile-based gum massage gel. This product, which has a pleasant honey aroma and contains no sugar or alcohol, soothes sore gums, cools, and brings relief. How to use it? Two to three times a day, gently massage the gel into your baby's gums using your finger or a finger toothbrush.
How to massage your baby's gums?
You can massage the gums, for example, with the pad of your index finger, not only from the inside but also from the outside. When massaging from the outside, use gentle circular movements. Of course, you can also massage your baby's gums from the inside, but if you have longer nails, it's best to shorten them. Again, you can massage the gums in a circular motion, or gently stroke them.
Other ways to relieve teething pain
Apart from gum massage, which is often recommended among experts, there are several other remedies that can relieve the teething pain. The best teething products may include teething rings, cold compresses, teething gloves and mitts, or the aforementioned teething gels. For babies who are older than six months, chewing carrots can also help.
When should you start brushing your baby's teeth?
Parents often ask themselves when to start brushing their baby's teeth. The correct answer is that brushing should start as soon as the first tooth starts erupting. The first teeth can be cleaned, for example, with a cloth handkerchief or with a finger toothbrush.
Then comes the first baby toothbrush, which should have a small head and gently trimmed soft bristles. Teeth should be brushed twice a day, in the morning before breakfast and in the evening before going to bed.
More interesting articles
For daily oral hygiene, toothbrush, mouthwash and interdental floss should not be missing. Learn more with our tips for oral care.
The gums protect our teeth and keep them in place. Read here about how best to ensure healthy gums.