Teething can be a challenging period for both parents and babies alike, with common signs and symptoms often being misconstrued. Most babies exhibit signs of discomfort and irritability during teething due to the sensitivity and swelling of their gums. If your baby seems fussy, constantly chews on their fingers or fists, or has a decreased appetite, it could indicate teething. The knowledgeable family physician at Century Medical and Dental Center can recognize the signs of teething in your baby and provide appropriate care to alleviate their pain.

While most babies get their first tooth around six months of age, teething symptoms can start even earlier. Witnessing your baby’s first tooth emerge is a joyful moment, but the process is arduous. Teething can make babies feel cranky and uncomfortable, leading to increased crying and fussiness.

Understanding the signs and symptoms of teething, as well as ways to soothe babies during this challenging time, can be beneficial.

Below are the common signs and symptoms of teething, their duration, implications, and tips to ensure your happy baby remains smiling and content.

When Does Teething Begin for Infants?

Teething is a natural phase in which teeth gradually grow and break through the gums. Most babies get their first tooth within their first year of life.

The teething process typically begins between four to eight months with the lower front teeth and continues until 30 to 36 months with the last molars. During teething, babies may experience symptoms that make them irritable and clingy.

Commonly Experienced Symptoms of Teething and How to Soothe Them

Each baby goes through teething differently, some with minimal symptoms and others enduring months of discomfort and fussiness.

Common symptoms of teething include:

• Irritability;
• Disrupted sleep patterns;
• Swelling or inflammation of the gums;
• Drooling;
• Loss of appetite;
• Rashes around the mouth;
• Mild temperature;
• Diarrhea;
• Increased biting and gum rubbing;
• Ear rubbing.

Approximately 70 to 80% of parents have reported these symptoms in their babies, although experiences may vary.

Irritability

The discomfort caused by teeth erupting through the gums can result in fussiness and crying in babies.

Ways to comfort your infant:

Cuddling is the most effective method to comfort babies during teething and alleviate their pain.

Drooling

Teething can lead to increased drooling, with excess saliva providing relief to the gums. Excessive drooling may cause rashes, which can be prevented by ensuring the mouth area remains dry and applying cream.

How to assist the baby:
Keeping the mouth dry and using barrier cream can prevent rashes.

Coughing

During teething, babies may experience gagging or coughing due to excess saliva.

Ways to help the baby with coughing:
Consult a pediatrician if persistent coughing or fever accompanying the cough persists.

Biting and chewing

Babies may find relief from gum pressure by biting on various objects during teething.

How to ease the baby’s discomfort:
Cold items, such as teething toys or chewing rings, can help alleviate the pain.

Low-grade fever

Increased saliva production during teething can result in a low-grade fever, potentially signaling an underlying illness.

How to assist the infant:
Administer age-appropriate pain and fever medication and seek advice from a pediatrician.

Ear rubbing

Teething may cause babies to pull or rub their ears, leading to discomfort. Massaging the gums can provide relief.

Ways to help your infant:
Rubbing and massaging the gums can alleviate discomfort, but consult a doctor if symptoms persist.

Diarrhea

Increased saliva production from teething can sometimes cause loose stools. Diarrhea may indicate an infection, requiring medical attention.

Loss of appetite

Teething can impact babies’ eating and sleeping schedules, as they may struggle to feed or nurse due to pain. Sleep patterns may also be disrupted.

Disturbed sleep patterns

Guidance on soothing babies during teething can be provided by their pediatrician, who can recommend suitable over-the-counter medications and teething aids.

Teething Symptoms and Cold

Teething symptoms are occasionally mistaken for cold symptoms in infants. Teething typically initiates around six months when infants’ immunity decreases.

If uncertain whether symptoms are due to teething or another ailment, consult your primary care doctor for an accurate diagnosis.

Teething can cause babies to feel cranky and uncomfortable, displaying symptoms such as drooling and swollen gums. But how can parents offer support and when should they be concerned?

Franciscan Physician Network pediatrician Aubrey Bonhivert, MD, responds to common queries about teething and fevers in babies.

It is important to remember that teething can cause mild symptoms such as irritability, drooling, and gum swelling, but it should not cause a high fever. If your baby has a fever over 100.4°F, it may be a sign of another illness and you should consult your healthcare provider.

If your baby is showing severe symptoms such as persistent high fever, refusal to eat, or excessive crying, seek medical attention immediately. It is always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to your baby’s health.

Why Do Babies’ Temperatures Rise When Teething?

Research challenges the notion that teething results in fevers and other symptoms. While teething may lead to a slight increase in temperature, it does not cause a true fever.

Temperatures associated with teething typically range between 99 to 100 degrees, whereas a fever is 100.4 or higher.

Does Teething Cause Fevers?

Teething does not trigger colds, rashes, diarrhea, or fevers.

“A fever linked to an illness would be above 100.4 and often accompanied by other symptoms (depending on the type of illness) – such as a runny nose, cough, poor feeding, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash,” mentioned Dr. Bonhivert. Depending on the severity and duration, as well as the height of the fever, your baby may need to see a healthcare provider. Contact your pediatrician if unsure. Your baby should be examined if persistent temperatures exceed 101, refusal to drink, frequent vomiting, wheezing or labored breathing, or a rash present with a fever.

“If the temperature remains below 100.4 and the baby also displays other typical teething symptoms (drooling, irritability, gum irritation), it is reasonable to assume these symptoms are related to teething. However, a temperature exceeding 100.4 is considered a fever and should not solely be attributed to teething.”

If you suspect something beyond teething, or if fever, runny nose, or diarrhea persists, always consult with your pediatrician or healthcare provider.

It’s important to note that teething can cause discomfort for babies, which can lead to irritability and increased drooling. Providing teething toys or gentle gum massages can help alleviate some of the discomfort associated with teething. Remember to consult with your pediatrician if you have any concerns about your baby’s health during the teething process.

What Are Common Teething Symptoms?

Common symptoms of teething babies often include:

• Fussiness
• Trouble sleeping
• Irritability
• Loss of appetite
• Irritated gums
• Increased drooling

While some claim that fevers, diaper rash, and sleep disturbances are also signs of teething, research has not confirmed this. It is better to investigate the reasons behind these symptoms rather than solely attributing them to teething.

Additional symptoms that some babies may experience during teething include:

• Ear pulling
• Cheek rubbing
• Chewing on objects
• Restlessness
• Runny nose
• Mild facial rash

How Can I Soothe My Teething Baby?

“The best way to alleviate teething discomfort is through chew toys, cold items, and gentle massage,” recommended Dr. Bonhivert.

Parents can freeze a wet, twisted washcloth and then use it to massage the baby’s gums or allow the baby to chew on it. Other methods to soothe a teething baby’s discomfort include:

• Solid teething rings – Avoid liquid-filled rings as sharp teeth can puncture them, releasing potentially harmful liquid.
• Chewy toys – Opt for ones made of silicone or latex rather than plastic, which may contain harmful chemicals.
• A clean finger

Older infants may also benefit from:

• A frozen banana or berries – Suitable once solids have been introduced.
• A sippy cup of cool water – A good choice for babies older than 6 to 9 months.

“Teething necklaces pose choking and strangulation hazards, and the FDA advises against them,” cautioned Dr. Bonhivert.

What Medicines Can I Give My Teething Baby?

Gels, teething tablets, and other products are often marketed to soothe teething babies, although they may not always be as effective as desired.

Teething gels may not provide long-lasting relief as they wash off quickly due to excessive drooling, reducing their efficacy. Furthermore, some ingredients may not be recommended for infants and toddlers.

“Teething tablets containing belladonna and numbing gels with benzocaine are not advisable,” stated Dr. Bonhivert. “Both of these ingredients have been flagged by the FDA due to potential side effects.”

If your teething baby remains significantly uncomfortable despite trying other measures, you can administer a dose of acetaminophen (Tylenol) as per your pediatrician’s recommendations.

Invest In Your Child’s Health

Invest in your child’s well-being for lifelong health. Our team of experienced pediatricians is here to assist your family at every stage.

Are you aware that teething symptoms can be mistaken for an ear infection in babies?

Although these two conditions often exhibit similar signs and symptoms, differentiating between them includes:

Teething: low-grade fever, swollen, red gums, sore or tender gums, inclination to chew on hard objects

Ear infection: fever, cold symptoms, ear discharge, ear pain/hearing loss, lack of response to auditory cues, balance issues

So, how can you distinguish between teething and an ear infection?

Symptoms suggesting teething include a low-grade fever (below 38°C), swollen, red, tender gums, and a desire to chew on hard items.

If an ear infection is present, symptoms may involve a high fever, cold symptoms, ear discharge, pain/hearing loss, lack of response to sound, and balance difficulties.

What should you do if you suspect teething?

Alleviate discomfort by massaging gums, keeping them cool, and considering over-the-counter remedies.

What should you do if you suspect an ear infection?

Seek medical advice from a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment, which may include antibiotics.

To sum up:

Although the signs and symptoms can be similar, it is advisable to seek medical help for an accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Contact our team to schedule an appointment at 02 9399 9399.

It’s late at night, and you’re comforting your crying baby, wondering what could be bothering them?! Unusual behavior from your baby may indicate an underlying issue.

This article covers:

• When babies typically start teething
• How to recognize teething symptoms
• Tips to ease teething discomfort
• Signs of potential illness
• Personal accounts of dealing with teething

Receive tailored support for your baby’s sleep changes with our Baby Sleep App.

Isn’t it always “teething”?

Blaming teething for discomfort is common, but without seeing a tooth breaking through, the issue may not be related to teething.

Don’t be fooled by “teething” symptoms that are not actually due to teething.

Around 3 months old, babies may display behaviors that resemble teething symptoms due to developmental changes rather than actual teething.

By 4 months old, babies may go through sleep regression unrelated to teething. The timing of teething varies for each baby. Some children may get their first teeth without any discomfort. Symptoms of teething include tender gums, excessive drooling, and crankiness. Not all illnesses are the result of teething; if in doubt, consult a medical professional. Teething discomfort typically lasts for a short period. Establishing a consistent routine can help you notice changes in your baby’s behavior. Trust your intuition if you suspect your baby is sick. Always seek medical advice if unsure.

It’s important to remember that teething is a normal part of a baby’s development, but not every symptom or issue is necessarily related to teething. If you have concerns about your baby’s health or behavior, don’t hesitate to seek guidance from a healthcare provider.