Symptoms of Teething in Babies. What Can I Expect?

A child’s first tooth is an exciting time.  As your child grows, his or her teeth will play an important role in development.  Teeth allow children to do many things like eat, speak, develop bones of the head, and last but not least, smile. Unfortunately, you may also notice symptoms of teething as well.

Symptoms of Teething

As teeth erupt, a few changes may be noticed:

• Drooling
• Tender or swollen gums
• Irritability
• Low-grade fever

Exposure to harmful germs could result in a fever.  If your child has a fever over 100.4 F consult your physician or pediatrician to see if your child needs to be evaluated.

Children are often exploring with their mouths and objects they pick up to put in their mouth aren’t always germ-free. If your child drops a teething object, pacifier, or spoon in an unclean area, make sure to thoroughly clean it before returning it to the child.  Do not put it in your mouth to clean it as saliva transfers bacteria.

Teething Remedies

Some teething remedies that may help your child are:

• Teething rings
• Cold washcloths (never frozen)
• Massaging baby’s gums
• Homeopathic teething tablets (consult your dentist or physician regarding use).
• Over the counter analgesics (consult your dentist or physician regarding use).

Avoid the use of topical gels (such as benzocaine), and certain teething tablets as they can cause harm to children.