How to Spot the Symptoms of Teething
For six months now, your baby has been a little cuddle bug - good-natured, happy and snuggly. This morning, though, when you went to get your angel up, someone had apparently swapped her with a cranky, messy doppelganger who even tried to bite you. What on earth is going on? Relax, Mom - chances are pretty high that your baby is teething, and that this, too, shall pass!
Like everything in a child’s development, there are no hard-and-fast rules about the timing or the symptoms your child will experience. In general, though, it’s most common for first teeth - usually the lower fronts - to show up when your baby is about six months old, and the last primary teeth are usually present by around 24 months. Your baby’s first teeth might come as early as 3 months or as late as 12 months.
So, what should you look for when you’re trying to decide if your baby is teething? According to Dr. Deb Longer, chair of the Department of Community Pediatrics at Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital, only about 33% of children will display any one of these symptoms, and some may not show any of them. This list does give you a guide, however.
Teething babies often drool more than usual, which can also result in chapping and rash around their mouths, chin and neck. A bib and frequent, gentle wipes can help with this. Dr. Daniela Silva, chair and professor in the Section of Pediatric Dentistry of the UCLA School of Dentistry, points out, however, that teething is not associated with rashes on other parts of the body; if your child experiences those, consult your pediatrician to find out what is causing them.
The previously mentioned irritability and crankiness are also common symptoms. After all, your baby’s gums hurt, and most people get a little fussy when they are in pain! You can help relieve that pain by gently massaging your child’s gums with your finger. He may resist at first, as the pressure is also painful in the beginning, but don’t give up: after a bit, rubbing the sore spot helps to relieve the pain, and he’ll stop fighting you.
Another symptom is the persistent attempt to chew, bite or suck even more than usual. Gnawing on something firm helps relieve the pain, so your baby may try to chew on everything within reach. Leigh Anne O’Connor, private practice lactation consultant, advises wetting a baby washcloth and putting it in the freezer before giving it to your child to chew on. She also suggests leaving one end dry as a handle to grip.
Dr. Jeffrey Phillips, doctor of pharmacy and inventor of the Simplified Omeprazole Suspension (SOS) used for treating infants with acid reflux, points out that one of the most painful results of teething may be acid reflux resulting from the release of histamine. While gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a separate concern from teething, it can flare up during this time. Talk to your pediatrician if you see symptoms of GERD in your baby.
Other symptoms of teething may include rubbing the face, pulling at the ears, and turning away food because of the pain. Dr. Silva points out that it is important to note that congestion, sleep disturbance, fever, rashes other than near the mouth, loss of appetite and diarrhea are not symptoms of teething. Although many parents include these in their observations, Dr. Silva says, “Most of the scientific studies done on this topic report no statistical association between teething and these symptoms.” The American Academy of Pediatricians suggests that these may appear because, since he is putting more things in his mouth to ease the pain, your baby may be exposed to more germs. They recommend that you talk to your baby’s doctor if you see these symptoms, particularly if they last more than 24 hours.
One other important point is that the Food and Drug Administration strongly advises avoiding numbing tablets and gels, including homeopathic varieties. Many contain ingredients that reduce blood oxygen levels or may cause heart problems. They also advise against amber necklaces; not only is there no medical evidence that they are effective, they pose a choking hazard.
In summary, the symptoms of teething may include:
• drooling
• swollen gums or a visible tooth just below the surface of the gum
• face rubbing
• ear pulling
• chewing, gnawing, sucking and biting
• fussiness and irritability.
And don’t forget — this is temporary; your happy baby will be back!
Pam Martin has been writing professionally since the early 1980s, on a wide variety of topics. She brings 20 years of classroom teaching and tutoring experience to the party, including early elementary classes and courses in writing, reading and literature, history, geography and government at middle and high schools. She is also accomplished in crafting and in writing about projects, including her blogs, Roots and Wings From the Village, The Corner Classroom, and Sassy Scribbler, which encompass crafting, cooking, lesson plans, and professional writing advice.
