Yes, children's teeth can hurt when they grow, although the level of discomfort varies.
While not every child experiences significant pain, the process of teeth erupting (breaking through the gums) can cause discomfort, whether it's primary (baby) teeth or permanent teeth.
Here's a breakdown:
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Primary Teeth (Baby Teeth): Teething, the process of baby teeth erupting, often involves some discomfort. Symptoms can include:
- Sore or tender gums
- Increased drooling
- Irritability
- A tendency to gnaw or chew on objects
Parents can alleviate this discomfort by:
- Providing chilled teething rings or cloths for the child to chew on.
- Gently massaging the gums with a clean finger.
- Offering age-appropriate pain relief medication after consulting with a pediatrician.
-
Permanent Teeth: While the eruption of permanent teeth is often less painful than the eruption of baby teeth, some discomfort can still occur. This is because the permanent teeth are larger and need to dissolve the roots of the baby teeth to erupt. Children may experience:
- Soreness in the gums
- Pressure as the tooth pushes through
- Sensitivity to hot or cold foods
In summary, while the degree of pain varies from child to child, it's common for children to experience some discomfort when their teeth are growing. Parents can take steps to help relieve this discomfort and make the process more comfortable for their child.
