If your child is reaching 6 months of age and feeling irritable and cranky, then most probably he or she is teething. Teething is a process by which primary teeth start to erupt in the oral cavity. It generally occurs between 6 to 24 months of age. Although teething is a natural process but it may cause tender and swollen gums and because of this babies tend to chew on every other hard object which can reduce the discomfort. The child may become fussy and starts to show other symptoms like excessive drooling.
Now we as mothers cannot see our children’s sufferings and it’s only natural to want to help them through any medication or remedy. The most commonly given medication to the child is OTC available teething tablets by the name of BIO-PLASGEN 21 which is an option you may want to think twice about. The active ingredients of Bio-21 include Calcarea Phosphorus 3X 50 mg and Ferrous Phosphorium 3X 50 mg. According to a research the amount of calcium in this supplement is not suitable for kids as they interrupt in the eruption phase. Bio-21 has been observed to induce generalized ankylosis in primary dentition, and the unfavorable results are extreme. It can alter the shedding time resulting in delayed eruption of permanent teeth and cause profound esthetic and functional defects requiring orthodontic treatment and other dental procedures. Secondly, the presence of Ferrous Phosphorium in the supplement is similar to the Aconite, Belladonna & Gelsemium. In 2010, the FDA issued a warning about a particular brand of tablets, recommending that people discontinue their use. The reason for the alarm was that the tablets contained belladonna. The National Library of Medicine lists the substance as “likely unsafe” when taken by mouth. Any product containing belladonna is carefully regulated, though, sadly, teething tablets are not. There is also the risk of babies taking more tablets than recommended, leading to symptoms such as lethargy, seizures and excessive sleepiness. Homeopathic teething tablets have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA for safety or efficacy. Janet Woodcock, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research said, “We recommend parents and caregivers not give homeopathic teething tablets to children and seek advice from their health care professional for safe alternatives.”
Fortunately, there are several other ways to help relieve the discomfort your child experiences during the teething process without the use of tablets. Many dentists recommends giving your baby a cold washcloth or refrigerated teether to chew on, which helps sooth tender gums. Gently massaging the baby’s gums with your clean fingers can also help relieve any discomfort he or she feels. To keep the area around the mouth and lips from becoming irritated or sore, use another soft cloth to wipe away extra drool the baby produces. Nonetheless, you can give your child safe versions of pain relievers such as ibuprofen or Paracetamol, particularly if his discomfort doesn’t diminish with a gum massage or a teether. Lastly, think twice using these tablets for your loved ones and stay safe.
