Gums are the soft tissue in the mouth that may swell occasionally. Swollen gums in babies are primarily caused by teething. However, there may be other reasons, such as an injury or infection. Although swelling in gums due to teething is normal and does not need treatment, swelling because of issues such as cysts may need medical intervention. Therefore, if you feel the swollen gums are causing discomfort to your baby, it is advisable to consult a doctor. Read the post to understand what causes swollen gums in babies, its symptoms, and ways of management.
What Are Swollen Gums?
Healthy gums are tight, vascular, and pink in color. But when swollen, the gums might appear loose, bulky, or fiery red. In some severe cases, the gums also tend to swell to the extent of covering the tooth partially. A baby may have swollen gums due to various reasons.
Why Are My Baby’s Gums Swollen?
The following conditions and factors can cause a baby’s gums to swell.
What Is Normal Gum Swelling In Babies?
Swelling caused due to teething is known as normal swelling. Teething-related swelling happens at the place in gums where a tooth is about to emerge. You can feel a hard lump when you touch the spot of tooth eruption. Following points indicate the normal swelling due to teething in your baby’s mouth: Partially erupted teeth could appear as or like small pieces of pearls. Knowing the eruption schedule of the baby’s teeth may help you know when to expect normal swelling of gums (4).
What Is Atypical Swelling?
The following conditions may cause abnormal or atypical swelling of gums in babies. It is good to see a doctor if you notice a cyst or a swelling of the gums. In most cases, the condition is benign and seldom a cause of worry. A cyst may spontaneously burst, causing the tooth to erupt. But sometimes a doctor may have to drain the cyst to expose the tooth (5). There are some other scenarios when you should see a doctor for swollen gums in babies.
When To See A Doctor?
See a doctor if you notice atypical swelling of the gums. You should also see a doctor if swollen gums are accompanied by the following conditions (6)(7).
Swollen or red tongue, lips, and throat Rashes and blisters on other areas of the body
A fever higher than 100.4o F or 38o C
What Is The Treatment For Swollen Gums?
There is no specific treatment for teething-related swelling of the gums. If the baby has a cyst or some other problem, then your doctor will treat the condition accordingly. The doctor may prescribe ibuprofen or acetaminophen for teething pain and symptoms like a mild fever that may be associated with teething (8). Use it only for the prescribed quantity and duration, as stated by your baby’s pediatrician. Teething woes may not always need medical intervention. No medicines or gels must be used without a doctor’s advice.
How Long Do Swollen Gums Last?
Gums swell a few days before the tooth is about to erupt, and the swelling subsides as the tooth breaks open into the oral cavity. See a doctor if the gums remain swollen for more than a week.
Tips And Home Remedies For Swollen Gums
Teething-related swelling of gums is manageable at home with the use of the following methods (9).
What You Should Not Use For A Baby’s Swollen Gums
Avoid using any topical anesthetic gels for teething without a pediatrician’s prescription because they don’t seem to help ease pain and might also have side effects (10).
Products containing aspirin should not be given to babies as it may increase the risk of Reye’s Syndrome, a liver disease (11).
The US FDA suggests not using any topical lidocaine gels for teething as it might have side effects (12).
It also warns against the use of homeopathic medicines for teething(13).
Foods To Avoid When Babies Have Swollen Gums
While there is no research-based evidence, anecdotal evidence shows that avoiding some food items might avoid further inflammation and irritation to the baby’s gums.
Citrus fruits and juices may cause irritation to the already inflamed gums.
Tomatoes may cause a stinging sensation to the gums due to the tangy taste.
Although babies do not consume them commonly, avoid giving anything spicy or excessively salty as they might cause a burning sensation on the gums.
Babies chew a lot during the teething phase. If they put their toys and teethers in their mouth, it is not a matter of worry. But you need to keep their teething toys clean and make sure they are not putting anything harmful in their mouth.
References:
title: “8 Remedies To Treat Swollen Gums In Babies When Teething” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-16” author: “Brian Trotter”
Gums are the soft tissue in the mouth that may swell occasionally. Swollen gums in babies are primarily caused by teething. However, there may be other reasons, such as an injury or infection. Although swelling in gums due to teething is normal and does not need treatment, swelling because of issues such as cysts may need medical intervention. Therefore, if you feel the swollen gums are causing discomfort to your baby, it is advisable to consult a doctor. Read the post to understand what causes swollen gums in babies, its symptoms, and ways of management.
What Are Swollen Gums?
Healthy gums are tight, vascular, and pink in color. But when swollen, the gums might appear loose, bulky, or fiery red. In some severe cases, the gums also tend to swell to the extent of covering the tooth partially. A baby may have swollen gums due to various reasons.
Why Are My Baby’s Gums Swollen?
The following conditions and factors can cause a baby’s gums to swell.
What Is Normal Gum Swelling In Babies?
Swelling caused due to teething is known as normal swelling. Teething-related swelling happens at the place in gums where a tooth is about to emerge. You can feel a hard lump when you touch the spot of tooth eruption. Following points indicate the normal swelling due to teething in your baby’s mouth: Partially erupted teeth could appear as or like small pieces of pearls. Knowing the eruption schedule of the baby’s teeth may help you know when to expect normal swelling of gums (4).
What Is Atypical Swelling?
The following conditions may cause abnormal or atypical swelling of gums in babies. It is good to see a doctor if you notice a cyst or a swelling of the gums. In most cases, the condition is benign and seldom a cause of worry. A cyst may spontaneously burst, causing the tooth to erupt. But sometimes a doctor may have to drain the cyst to expose the tooth (5). There are some other scenarios when you should see a doctor for swollen gums in babies.
When To See A Doctor?
See a doctor if you notice atypical swelling of the gums. You should also see a doctor if swollen gums are accompanied by the following conditions (6)(7).
Swollen or red tongue, lips, and throat Rashes and blisters on other areas of the body
A fever higher than 100.4o F or 38o C
What Is The Treatment For Swollen Gums?
There is no specific treatment for teething-related swelling of the gums. If the baby has a cyst or some other problem, then your doctor will treat the condition accordingly. The doctor may prescribe ibuprofen or acetaminophen for teething pain and symptoms like a mild fever that may be associated with teething (8). Use it only for the prescribed quantity and duration, as stated by your baby’s pediatrician. Teething woes may not always need medical intervention. No medicines or gels must be used without a doctor’s advice.
How Long Do Swollen Gums Last?
Gums swell a few days before the tooth is about to erupt, and the swelling subsides as the tooth breaks open into the oral cavity. See a doctor if the gums remain swollen for more than a week.
Tips And Home Remedies For Swollen Gums
Teething-related swelling of gums is manageable at home with the use of the following methods (9).
What You Should Not Use For A Baby’s Swollen Gums
Avoid using any topical anesthetic gels for teething without a pediatrician’s prescription because they don’t seem to help ease pain and might also have side effects (10).
Products containing aspirin should not be given to babies as it may increase the risk of Reye’s Syndrome, a liver disease (11).
The US FDA suggests not using any topical lidocaine gels for teething as it might have side effects (12).
It also warns against the use of homeopathic medicines for teething(13).
Foods To Avoid When Babies Have Swollen Gums
While there is no research-based evidence, anecdotal evidence shows that avoiding some food items might avoid further inflammation and irritation to the baby’s gums.
Citrus fruits and juices may cause irritation to the already inflamed gums.
Tomatoes may cause a stinging sensation to the gums due to the tangy taste.
Although babies do not consume them commonly, avoid giving anything spicy or excessively salty as they might cause a burning sensation on the gums.
Babies chew a lot during the teething phase. If they put their toys and teethers in their mouth, it is not a matter of worry. But you need to keep their teething toys clean and make sure they are not putting anything harmful in their mouth.
