Teething Symptoms: What Every Parent Should Know

Types of Teething Problems

Primary Types

• Typical teething: Involves mild symptoms like drooling, gum rubbing, and fussiness.
• Delayed teething: When teeth haven't erupted by 12 to 15 months, which may indicate nutritional or developmental concerns.

Secondary Types (If Any)

Complicated teething: Involves symptoms like high fever, persistent diarrhea, or refusal to eat, which may suggest unrelated illness and not teething alone.

Common Causes for Teething Problems

Teething problems mainly result from the pressure of erupting teeth and how the baby's body reacts. While often harmless, some reactions may appear severe or confusing to caregivers.

By Severity

• Mild: Excessive drooling, red gums, chewing behavior.
• Moderate: Sleep disruption, loss of appetite, irritability.
• Serious: High fever, diarrhea, or rash.

By Duration

• Acute: Symptoms appear suddenly and may last a few days during tooth eruption.
• Chronic: Ongoing discomfort due to multiple teeth coming in or improper oral care.

Lifestyle/Environmental Triggers: Frequent use of pacifiers, poor gum hygiene, mouthing unclean objects, and exposure to illnesses during this vulnerable phase.

Conditions that Cause TeethingProblems

While many symptoms are often attributed to teething, they can also be caused by other medical conditions. Recognizing this helps avoid misdiagnosis and ensures proper care.

• Ear infections, tugging at the ears, and crying more when lying down.
• Oral thrush, white patches in the mouth, and feeding refusal.
• Hand, foot, and mouth disease, mouth sores, fever, and body rash.
• Viral infections, elevated temperature, congestion, and loss of appetite.
• Vitamin D or calcium deficiency, delayed tooth eruption, and weak enamel.

Related Symptoms for Teething Problems

Teething is frequently accompanied by other symptoms, many of which overlap with illnesses. Understanding these can help differentiate harmless discomfort from more serious concerns.

Common Accompanying Symptoms: gum swelling, biting hands or toys, mild temperature elevation, facial rubbing, and disrupted sleep.

Symptom Clusters and Implications

• Mild fever and drooling with teething are normal.
• If teething comes with diarrhea and rash, it could be an illness - check with a doctor.
• White patches in the mouth and teething might be a sign of thrush.

When to See a Doctor for Teething Problems?

While most teething symptoms are mild and resolve on their own, there are situations where medical evaluation is necessary.

• Fever above 101°F (38.5°C)
• Dehydration signs (dry mouth, no wet diapers for over 6 hours)
• Refusal to eat or drink for more than 12 hours
• Vomiting or diarrhea lasting more than 24 hours.
• No teeth by 15 months
• Pus, bleeding, or severe gum inflammation
• Teeth are coming in crooked or late.
• Symptoms that worsen or don't improve with home remedies

How Teething Problems are Diagnosed and Tested

Teething is primarily diagnosed through physical observation and medical history. Additional testing is only used if symptoms suggest something other than teething.

Physical Exams: Pediatricians check for swollen gums, emerging teeth, and signs of ear or throat infections.

Lab Tests:

• CBC Haemogram Test and CRP Test if fever or infection is suspected.
• Vitamin D Test and Calcium Blood Test in cases of delayed teething.
• Dental X-rays if no teeth have appeared by 18 months.
• Endocrine evaluation for delayed eruption due to hormonal or metabolic issues.

Teething Problems: Treatment and Management

Most teething discomfort can be managed at home with proper tools and routines. Medication is rarely needed, and safety is a top priority.

Medications

• Infant acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help relieve gum pain and fever, but only under a doctor's supervision.
• Avoid benzocaine-containing gels, which may cause serious side effects in infants.

Therapies

• Chilled teething rings, gum massage, clean chewing toys, and soft silicone brushes offer effective relief.
• Distraction, soothing music, and skin-to-skin contact also help ease discomfort.

Prevention Tips for Teething Problems

To help prevent teething-related discomfort and manage symptoms effectively:

• Gently clean baby's gums with a damp cloth before teeth emerge.
• Begin brushing with water as soon as the first tooth appears.
• Avoid sugary drinks or snacks.
• Clean toys and pacifiers frequently.

Home Remedies to Avoid Teething Problems

• A cold washcloth or a spoon for chewing
• Chilled fruit in a mesh feeder
• Teething biscuits (under supervision)
• Gentle rocking and increased cuddle time

Lifestyle Changes to Protect Your Teeth from Teething Problems

• Maintain consistent sleep and feeding schedules
• Encourage upright feeding to reduce ear pressure.
• Reduce pacifier use as teeth emerge.
• Monitor and adjust for food texture as more teeth appear.