What can I do to soothe my child's teething pain?

Teething pain is very common and very disturbing to new parents. As a tooth comes in there is pressure on the gum tissue. Also after the tooth breaks through, plaque forms around the erupting tooth that can cause additional inflamation and discomfort. Using various comercially available teething rings help the tooth break through the tissue more easily and actuallly can massage the gum tissues. Wiping the teeth off with a soft wet washcloth can keep the area clean and also massages the tissue, minimizing hte discomfort. Children's Tylenol or Motrin can also be effective for more severe pain.

What should I do if my child sucks his thumb?

Thumb sucking and pacifier use is very common and normal for most young children. There is a normal need for sucking that starts at birth and is part of the feeding process. It also is a calming act that some children use more than others. As children develop and learn to take food by chewing, this habit tends to diminish. Thumb and finger sucking is more detrimental to the developing occlusion (bite) than a pacifier. Pacifiers should be attempted to prevent these issues, if one can. However, children being children, not all will take a pacifier. Both my children sucked their fingers, one needed braces due to crowded teeth (not the finger), one not (luck of the draw). Most children stop on their own. I am permissive, as it is a difficult task to stop a habit with a finger that is attached to the child.That being said, if there is a noticeable affect by the finger habit on the bite, sometime after age three when the child can communicate and understand, an attempt can be made to gently remind the child that bigger children do not suck their fingers. It makes their finger sore and can make the teeth "not straight. " Positive reinforcement works best. When your child has a cold and can't breathe through their nose and coughs, you can tell them to hold their animal and not suck their finger as it will make them cough.Then a little white lie,"Wow I am really proud of you, you slept better and didn't suck your finger much last night. I am very proud of you. Pretty soon you won't have to do it at all." In the process, a princess/bat man band aid can be placed on the offending finger to remind them, or a cotton glove worn to remind them. If necessary as they are older a mouth appliance can be placed by the pediatric dentist to help them stop.