Teething in babies can occur between three and 12 months of age, with the average age being six months. Symptoms include salivation, fever, and irritability, but can be relieved with gentle pressure on the gums, cold objects, and pain relievers. Prolonged or worsening symptoms should be seen by a doctor.
Teething refers to a baby’s first teeth, as they emerge from his or her gums. It can occur anywhere between about three and 12 months of age, but the average age for most babies to start teething is around six months. Some typical symptoms of teething can include salivation, fever, and general irritability. These are usually not serious and can often be relieved with simple remedies. When symptoms don’t go away after teeth appear, or if a caretaker notices troubling symptoms in general, they may want to see a pediatrician for advice.
The typical teething program can begin before the child turns one and normally ends by age three. Two signs that a baby is about to start teething can include gum swelling and discomfort, and he may start biting on things to ease the discomfort. The pain can also lead to fussiness, and your child may show a loss of appetite because eating or drinking could cause mouth pain. Other common telltale signs of teething in babies are excessive salivation, trouble sleeping, and rubbing of the cheeks or ears.
To relieve teething symptoms, many doctors recommend applying gentle pressure to the gums and using a cool or cold object to reduce swelling. Sometimes gently rubbing your baby’s gums with your finger may be enough to provide relief. Also, babies often like to chew on teething rings, which are usually made of soft plastic and filled with water. A cold teething ring, or even a soft washcloth dipped in cold water, can help ease a baby’s teething pain. Drool profusely could cause a rash on your child’s chin or around his mouth. This can usually be relieved with lanolin ointment or petroleum jelly.
To treat teething symptoms, such as fever and pain, doctors usually suggest a mild pain reliever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen for babies. Typically, other medications are not recommended unless your pediatrician has explicitly approved them. There are other remedies that generally shouldn’t be used to treat teething symptoms. These include teething gels which can numb the gums and sometimes the rest of the mouth. Opinions about these remedies vary among medical professionals, so one should consult a trusted doctor for personal advice.
There are few known side effects of teething. What some people may think of as teething symptoms, however, could actually be an indicator of another medical problem. For example, many people associate a cough or runny nose with teething, when your baby might actually have a cold or an infection. There is also some disagreement in the medical field as to whether fever is necessarily a symptom of teething. In most cases, healthcare professionals should see their doctor if they feel any of the symptoms have prolonged or worsened, especially if your child has a fever of 101°F (about 38°C) or higher.
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