Dentition Archives - Homeopathy at DrHomeo.com

Diarrhea is the passing of loose stool several times in a day (about 3 or more times). Many parents complain of their child suffering from diarrhea during dentition (development and eruption of teeth out of gums which starts when a baby is around 6-month-old). Diarrhea is not directly linked with dentition though it is true that diarrhea is common during dentition along with common teething symptoms like irritability, crankiness, biting on objects, increased salivation, gum pain, baby’s refusal to eat, pulling of ears, rubbing cheeks and slight increase in body temperature. The cause of diarrhea during dentition is not teething itself, but some other reasons that lead to diarrhea coincidently during dentition. These are as follows:

1. Teething in a kid begins around 6 months of age. This is the same time around which weaning (gradual stopping of the child’s feeding from mother’s milk) begins and a baby starts having semi-solid food. A baby’s stomach needs time to get used to the new and different foods being introduced. In many kids, due to sensitivity to any of these newly-introduced foods, there are chances of diarrhea.

2. During teething, a child seems to put many things in the mouth in order to soothe the irritability or soreness of the gums. As a result, the chances of getting infections increases from ingesting germs that might be present on the surface of these objects.

3. When a child reaches 6 months of age, antibodies (a protein substance produced by the body’s immune system that helps fight infections) received from the mother tend to get lost.

Homeopathic Treatment

Homeopathy is a very safe option to manage several health concerns in kids including diarrhea during dentition. The best part of using homeopathic medicines is that these are natural remedies with zero side effects that help fight any kind of infection in a natural manner, hence very safe for kids. These medicines will help in reducing the number of stools to normal along with bringing it to normal consistency. Any sort of attending symptoms like stomach pain, gas in abdomen are also managed effectively with these medicines. Besides treating diarrhea, these medicines also bring relief in other dentition symptoms like irritability, crankiness and soreness in gums. Homeopathic medicines are recommended for mild to moderate cases of diarrhea, but in severe cases conventional help is advised. Be watchful for any signs of dehydration as a result of diarrhea. In case a child shows signs of dehydration, one should immediately consult a pediatrician urgently.

Some of the signs of dehydration are less than 6 wet diapers in a day, dryness of mouth, sunken soft spot on skull (called fontanelle) of baby, sunken eyes, little or no tears when crying and low energy levels. Homeopathic medicines for every case of diarrhea are selected based on the signs and symptoms in every case after detailed case study analysis. Always consult a homeopath to know which homeopathic medicine should be used and in which potency, dose and also its repetition.

Homeopathic Medicines For Treating Diarrhea During Dentition

1. Chamomilla – Top Remedy

Chamomilla is the most frequently prescribed medicine to manage diarrhea during dentition. It is usually the first choice of medicine of almost every physician to handle this complaint. There is yellow-green watery stool. There may be mucus in the stool. The stool smells fetid or sour. Besides, excessive gas and stomach pain may be present. The child is quite irritable. He/she always wants to be carried in arms. The gums are red and tender. There is tendency to bite everything due to gum irritation.

2. Podophyllum – For Greenish Gushing Stool

Podophyllum is the best choice of medicine for greenish stool that gushes out and comes suddenly with great force. The stool is watery, dirty and profuse (large in quantity). It may have undigested food particles in it. Sometimes stool is mixed with mucus. Excessive gas is emitted when passing stool. The stool has a very foul smell. Usually no stomach pain occurs. In some cases, stool passes involuntarily when passing gas.

3. Calcarea Phos – For Loose Stool With Excessive Gas

This medicine is recommended when there is loose stool with excessive gas. The stool is watery sometimes with mucus. White flakes may pass in the stool. Foul smelling gas is passed. After every feed, stomach pain may be felt. There is relief in pain after passing gas.

4. Calcarea Carb – For Foul Or Sour Smelling Stool

It is a suitable medicine when stool smells foul or sour. The stool has undigested food particles in it. Besides, there is pain in abdomen. The stool occurs after eating anything. Distension of abdomen can be present. Vomiting may occur while vomiting during dentition. Excessive sweating on the head may be a marked accompanying symptom.

5. Cina – With White Mucus In Stool

Cina works well for cases in which stool has white mucus like swabs in it. At times stool may be greenish slimy type. There may be belly pain along with loose stool. The abdomen may be bloated and hard. The child requiring it is very irritable, wishes to be carried in arms all the time, desires many things but when given, refuses to take them. The child may scream, bite and strike as well.

6. Rheum – For Sour Smelling Stool

Rheum is well indicated for cases in which the stool smells sour. The stool tends to occur soon after taking mother’s milk. Stool is thin, loose mixed with green slimy mucus. Sometimes stool is thin and pasty. The stool may be frothy. The stool may be yellow or green. Abdomen pain may occur along with loose stool. Child needing this medicine cries much, is irritable and restless with drawing up of legs. There is also excessive salivation. Fever during teething may also be reported.

7. Silicea – With Undigested Food Particles In Stool

Its use is suggested when undigested food appears in stool. The stool is frequent, liquid or pasty. It may be slimy or frothy. The stool smells putrid or sour. Anal itching can occur. An offensive smelling sweat on head and feet may be marked.

8. Magnesia Carb – For Loose, Greenish, Frothy stool

Magnesia Carb is applicable for cases having loose, greenish, frothy stool. It may have white lumps floating on it. Stool smells sour. The milk consumed remains undigested and passes out with stool. Abdominal distension is seen. There is excessive gas and rumbling in abdomen along with pain.

9. Arsenic Album – Along With Weight Loss

This medicine is recommended when loose stool is accompanied with weight loss during teething. It is a valuable medicine for fighting stomach infections naturally. The stool is brownish and watery. It may contain pieces of mucus. Besides, gas is passed frequently along with swelling in the abdomen. In some cases, vomiting may occur.

Most parents get alarmed when their sweet, charming baby suddenly can’t stop crying and needs to be carried around all the time. This usually happens when the toddler is about 6 months old and can be a classic symptom of teething. Teething refers to the process of eruption of a baby’s milk teeth through the gums. The time of teething varies from child to child, but it usually starts from 6 months to 12 months of age. In some children, the teething process can begin as early as three months of age. Once teething begins, the first teeth to appear are two middle teeth in the lower jaw, followed by two middle teeth in the upper jaw and finally, teeth on the sides and back. Some teeth cause more discomfort as compared to the others when they erupt. For example, molars take up more surface area and do not erupt as easily as smaller teeth, causing prolonged discomfort. In most children, all twenty milk teeth appear by the age of two to three years. Teething for most toddlers is a painful experience and is a good explanation for a baby’s changed behavior and minor illness. A homeopathic teething remedy includes medicines that ease the symptoms like irritability and swelling in teething toddlers.

Problems while Teething

In some children, the teething process is smooth, with no pain, discomfort or complaint. For some children, however, teething can be difficult and cause symptoms like:

excessive drooling of saliva (it may cause a mild rash around the mouth)
excessive chewing of things
putting fingers in the mouth
irritability, crying, fretfulness, cranky behavior, restlessness
sleeplessness at night
swollen, sore, red, tender gums
formation of fluid-filled blister around the erupting tooth
decreased intake of feed
fever and diarrhea

Diarrhea and Teething

It is a common misconception that teething causes diarrhea. Teething does not cause diarrhea, it is in fact caused due to an infection of the gastrointestinal tract. This is because children during teething tend to chew on different objects to ease the discomfort, and can easily catch an infection from an unclean object. Teething also occurs around the time when a child is being weaned off the mother’s milk. An introduction of new food can also cause a change in the gut bacteria in the child’s system and cause diarrhea. Teething does not cause diarrhea, rather, it is the introduction of a pathogen in the child’s gut that leads to disturbed bowel movements. Children pick up bacteria from different sources as they look for things to chew on to relieve the symptoms of teething (like sore, painful gums). Mild fever during teething is normal, but high fevers are not. A very high fever or diarrhea during teething are completely unrelated to the process of the child’s teeth erupting. Frequent diarrhea during teething can cause dehydration, so care must be taken to ensure that the baby gets enough clear fluids, milk and water to stay hydrated.

Homeopathic Teething Remedy

Homeopathic medicines are a safe and effective method to manage pediatric complaints like teething. Homeopathic medicines are prepared from naturally occurring substances and are very safe to use, even on toddlers. They have no side effects and help treat the symptoms of teething very gently and effectively. Homeopathic medicines for teething are selected according to the individual symptoms shown by the child. For example, some children become cranky, irritable and stubborn while they are teething, while others may become clingy and keep weeping. Some children are particularly irritable at night. Keeping in mind the various symptoms, homeopathic medicines are selected on a case-to-case basis. The top homeopathic medicines to ease the discomfort during teething include Chamomilla, Cina, Merc Sol, Podophyllum Peltatum and Calcarea Phos.

Homeopathic Medicines for Teething

Chamomilla – The Real Tooth fairy

Chamomilla (chamomile) has probably introduced more parents to homeopathy than any other Homoeopathic medicine. Though it is not the only medicine that homeopaths prescribe to treat teething, it is so commonly used that it is generally recommended unless the infant’s symptoms clearly indicate the need for a different medicine.

The most common symptoms of infants who need Chamomilla are inflamed gums, drooling (excessive saliva oozing from the mouth), and a desire to keep fingers in the mouth. Commonly, one cheek is hot and red while the other is pale and dentition diarrhea which is often green.

The infants are hyper-irritable and may scream and hit. The only relief they experience comes when they are being carried about or gently rocked. Chamomilla 30 c given three times a day during the acute phase should work as someone has described it as “a real tooth fairy”.

Cina – For Teething to manage Irritability

Cina is a homeopathic teething remedy used to manage irritability in children who are teething. The child may also weep, scream, bite and strike others, or ask to be carried all the time. Extreme crankiness and stubbornness along with restlessness during sleep are some other symptoms that indicate the need for this medicine.

Merc Sol – For Teething with Swollen Gums

Merc Sol is a homeopathic teething remedy that is used in cases where the gums become swollen and tender, and there is excessive drooling during teething. The gums appear red, swollen and are painful to touch. Excessive drooling, while sleeping and a foul-smell from the child’s mouth is also present. This medicine is effective in soothing a teething baby at night when the child is restlessness and cranky.

Podophyllum Peltatum – For Teething with Diarrhea

Podophyllum Peltatum is a homeopathic teething remedy where the teething baby has a watery, gushing stool that is yellowish–greenish and foul-smelling. Mucus may also be present in the stool along with fetid flatus.

Does Calcarea Phos ease out teething? Should it be given during dentition?

We have raised two daughters and have never given them Calcarea Phos. Yet, both of them never had any problem during dentition. Please Note that this is the most abused medicine in Homeopathy. It’s wide use in ‘easing dentition’ is one of the biggest abuse of homeopathy.It should be used judiciously and is mainly indicated where the teething process is delayed.

Tips to Soothe a Teething Baby

Teething children tend to be irritable and clingy, and there are some home remedies for teething toddlers that can help soothe the swollen gums:

Rubbing the baby’s gums – With a clean finger, or a slightly wet piece of gauze, gently rub the baby’s gums. Use a gentle pressure to ease discomfort.
Use a cold compress: A cold compress in the form of a cold, wet cloth, a chilled spoon or a teething ring can help ease the swelling and soreness in teething gums.
Chewing upon hard foods: If the teething baby is old enough to handle solid foods, a solid food item like peeled carrot or cucumber can help provide relief. The child can gnaw on the food. Care must be taken to ensure that the child does not choke on any small bits that get chewed off.

Does your Baby suffer from Diarrhea during Dentition, try Homeopathy