Baby teeth may be tiny, but they can cause some very big feelings. One little tooth pushing through the gum can be painful.1 But teething is not the only thing that can make those tiny teeth hurt. Here are the baby tooth problems parents can easily miss, why those temporary chompers matter, and what can help with mild to moderate pain while you arrange the right dental care.
The importance of baby teeth
Baby teeth may be temporary, but they have a pretty important to-do list. They hold space for the permanent teeth waiting underneath,help the jaw grow and develop properly,and arrive just as babies are learning to chew solid food. They also earn their keep when little ones start talking. Teeth help the tongue find the right position for certain sounds, especially harder sounds such as “t”.2 So, while those tiny teeth will eventually make way for the grown-up set, they are busy helping your child eat, speak and make room for what comes next.
Common milk teeth problems
Most babies start teething between six and 10 months, with the lower front teeth often first to appear. Some barely notice, while others get sore gums, extra drooling, and a sudden urge to chew absolutely everything. Diarrhoea and nappy rash, however, are not typical teething symptoms.3
Once those little teeth are through, the next thing to watch for is tooth decay (cavities). Tooth decay is one of the most common dental problems in children. It starts when bacteria in the mouth produce acids that wear away the enamel, eventually creating cavities. Other issues can include gum disease (gingivitis), sensitive teeth, dental trauma (chipped, cracked, or knocked out teeth), teeth misalignment, and early tooth loss.4
How to care for baby teeth
Good oral habits from the start can make a big difference to the health of your child’s teeth. Regular brushing, a balanced diet and routine dental check-ups all help protect little teeth and catch problems before they become bigger ones.4
The power to fight pain and fever
Panado®’s Paediatric Range deliver the trusted5 pain relief South African families have relied on for generations. The range includes Infant Drops,6 named Product of the Year 2025 in the Child – Health category following a Kantar survey of 2,000 South African consumers,7 as well asPeppermint Syrup8 with improved taste9 and Strawberry Syrup,10 which is also available in handy single-use 5 ml sachets10 for families on the go.
Panado® products are available from Baby City, Pick n Pay, Checkers including Hypers, Shoprite, Clicks, Dis-Chem and independent pharmacies. For more information, visit: https://panado.co.za/ and join the conversations on Facebook and Instagram. For references and legal disclaimers, visit https://panado.co.za/references.
Approval ticket #11.08.20261000006177. August 2026.
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2 thoughts on “When tiny teeth cause big trouble”
As a mom of four, I can definitely relate to this! 🥹 Teething can be such a difficult time for little ones (and for us parents too!). ❤️
For my babies, I’ve always kept things simple and only used Panado when they were really uncomfortable with teething. It has been my go-to for helping ease their pain and settle them when those little teeth are causing big trouble. 🦷👶🏼
Every baby handles teething differently, but having something I trust on hand definitely gives me peace of mind. ❤️
brushing them daily is so good keeps their tiny teeth healthy i love it and my little one enjoys brushing gis teeth.