New primary teeth are seen working their way through the gums.
Teeth come in between 6 and 24 months of age.
Main symptoms are increased saliva, drooling and desire to chew on things.
Occasional symptoms: mild gum pain. Not enough to cause crying or interfere with sleep.
Does not cause fever (rarely gets to 101°F), diarrhea, diaper rash, or lowered resistance to infection.
Caution: blaming teething for fevers can lead to a delayed diagnosis of ear infections, urinary tract infections, meningitis and other infections.
See More Appropriate Topic (instead of this one) If
Main symptom is crying, see CRYING CHILD OLDER THAN 3 MONTHS OLD.
FEVER is also present.
(To go directly to these topics, click on the links following this document.)
WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR FOR TEETHING
Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If
Your child looks or acts very sick.
Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If
You think your child needs to be seen.
You have other questions or concerns.
Parent Care at Home If
Normal teething and you don't think your child needs to be seen.
HOME CARE ADVICE FOR TEETHING
1. Reassurance: Teething is a natural process. It's harmless and it causes little if any pain. It doesn't cause fever or crying.
2. Gum Massage: Find the irritated or swollen gum. Massage it with your finger for 2 minutes. Do this as often as necessary. You may use a piece of ice wrapped in a wet cloth to massage the gum.
3. Teething Rings or Teething Biscuits:
Infants massage their own gums by chewing on smooth, hard objects.
Offer a teething ring, pacifier or wet washcloth that has been chilled in the refrigerator, but not frozen in the freezer. A piece of chilled banana may help.
Avoid hard foods that could cause choking (e.g., raw carrots).
Avoid ice or Popsicles that could cause frostbite of the gums.
4. Cup Feeding: If your infant refuses nipple feedings, use a cup temporarily.
5. Pain Medicine: If the pain increases, give acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) orally for 1 day. (Special teething gels are unnecessary. If you want to use one, don't apply it more than 4 times a day. Reason: risk of overdosage.)
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital is located in Palo Alto, adjacent to Stanford University Hospital, approximately 20 miles north of San Jose, CA and 40 miles south of San Francisco.
