Giving a towel soaked in whiskey or vodka to soothe a toddler's tooth ache?

Dental problems are experienced by people of all ages, and toddlers are not an exception to the rule. Toddlers who have grown their first set of teeth first have to go through the discomfort of breaking them in and then the discomfort experienced when they are not looked after. Because of the fact that a large number of parents put their toddlers to sleep with a milk bottle in the mouth, a large number of toddlers experience dental problems at a very early stage in their lives. The bacteria that forms in the mouth comes into contact with the carbohydrates from sweetened milk and forms an acid that eats into the enamel of the teeth, causing cavities. Toddlers who have cavities are unable to complain about the pain they experience because of the fact that they are still developing greater communication skills.

Making use of a towel soaked in whisky or vodka to soothe a toddler’s tooth ache is an age old remedy. Generations ago, it was used not only as a form of disinfectant, to kill the germs, but also helped to soothe the baby and put him or her to sleep. The alcohol content helped to deaden the nerves around the area and reduce sensitivity and pain. Although it helped to relieve both toddler and parent, back in the day, it is not recommended because of the fact that you will be giving your child alcohol to consume. Present day techniques include the use of gels and mild anesthetics that are prescribed for children by qualified medical practitioners.

The more basic methods of relieving tooth trouble pain experienced by a toddler is by rubbing a piece of ice between the thumb and the index finger and then placing your index finger over the affected area to cause numbness. Clove oil is another effective method to desensitize the affected area and a tiny amount may be applied with the help of a soft cloth or cotton swab. Salt water rinsing of the mouth is also known to reduce and remove infection, thereby relieving your toddler of any discomfort. It is extremely important, however, to ensure that your child does not suffer any dental complications at a tender age, and to do so, a parent must ensure that the toddler’s teeth are well looked after. This can be done by brushing the teeth with a soft toothbrush, or by wiping the mouth clean after every feed, to remove any food particles that may remain within the mouth.

Submitted by P T on March 11, 2010 at 11:02

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