Signs and Symptoms
About two-thirds of babies will exhibit some sort of discomfort when teething <7>. Parents tend to attribute many symptoms to teething discomfort in babies, including ones that could potentially belong to a more serious underlying condition <1>. In one study of 1500 parents, it was found that nearly 75% of parents had mistakenly assigned symptoms of fever and diarrhea in babies as teething symptoms <2>. These severe symptoms are more closely associated with serious illnesses, such as meningitis and urinary tract infections <3>. It is recommended that you consult with your doctor when your baby is experiencing signs and symptoms that are not normally related to teething. Your doctor will be able to properly assess your baby for other health conditions.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Teething
Here are some common signs and symptoms of infant teething:
|
The eruption of primary teeth is often times transient and may emerge up to four days prior to the eruption. Signs and symptoms may become slightly more severe during the day of eruption or one or two days prior to eruption. Once the tooth has come out, teething signs and symptoms should generally go away within three days <7,8>.
Signs and Symptoms NOT Related to Teething
If your baby is exhibiting any of these severe signs and symptoms, this should raise a red flag alert. A doctor should be seen to further evaluate the baby for any serious illnesses <10>.
References:
1. Sarrell, EM, et al. Parents’ and medical personnel’s beliefs about infant teething. Patient Education and Counseling 2005;57:122-125.
2. Owais AI, et al. Challenging parents’ myths regarding their children’s teething. Int J Dent Hygiene 2010;8:28-34.
3. Teething myths. Br Med J 1975;4:5997-604.
4. Ramos-Jorge J, et al. Prospective Longitudinal Study of Signs and Symptoms Associated with Primary Tooth Eruption. Pediatrics 2011;128:471-476.
5. Kiran K, et al. Prevalence of systemic and local disturbances in infants during primary teeth eruption: a clinical study. Eur Paediatr Dent 2011;12(4):249-52.
6. Noor-Mohammed R, et al. Teething disturbances; prevalence of objective manifestations in children under age 4 months to 36 months. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal 2012;17(3):491-4.
7. Bourassa M. Patient Self-Care. Chapter 87: Teething. 2nd ed. Toronto, ON: Canadian Pharmacists Association; 2010:851-856.
8. Wise GE. Cellular and molecular basis of tooth eruption. Orthod Craniofac Res 2009;12:67-73.
9. Plutzer K, et al. How first-time mothers perceive and deal with teething symptoms: a randomized controlled trial. Child: care, health and development 2011;38:292-299.
10. Tighe M, et al. Does a teething child need serious illness excluding? Arch Dis Child 2007;92:266-73.
Images:
http://cdn.womensunitedonline.com/articles/2010/08/Parenting/stop-teething-pain.jpg
https://d2dct7y3250e4n.cloudfront.net/ht-staging/user_answer/avatars/492885/large/open-uri20121111-2386-mnwrwk.jpeg?1352648864
http://site.storkbabygiftbaskets.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/sick-baby3-450x300.jpg
1. Sarrell, EM, et al. Parents’ and medical personnel’s beliefs about infant teething. Patient Education and Counseling 2005;57:122-125.
2. Owais AI, et al. Challenging parents’ myths regarding their children’s teething. Int J Dent Hygiene 2010;8:28-34.
3. Teething myths. Br Med J 1975;4:5997-604.
4. Ramos-Jorge J, et al. Prospective Longitudinal Study of Signs and Symptoms Associated with Primary Tooth Eruption. Pediatrics 2011;128:471-476.
5. Kiran K, et al. Prevalence of systemic and local disturbances in infants during primary teeth eruption: a clinical study. Eur Paediatr Dent 2011;12(4):249-52.
6. Noor-Mohammed R, et al. Teething disturbances; prevalence of objective manifestations in children under age 4 months to 36 months. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal 2012;17(3):491-4.
7. Bourassa M. Patient Self-Care. Chapter 87: Teething. 2nd ed. Toronto, ON: Canadian Pharmacists Association; 2010:851-856.
8. Wise GE. Cellular and molecular basis of tooth eruption. Orthod Craniofac Res 2009;12:67-73.
9. Plutzer K, et al. How first-time mothers perceive and deal with teething symptoms: a randomized controlled trial. Child: care, health and development 2011;38:292-299.
10. Tighe M, et al. Does a teething child need serious illness excluding? Arch Dis Child 2007;92:266-73.
Images:
http://cdn.womensunitedonline.com/articles/2010/08/Parenting/stop-teething-pain.jpg
https://d2dct7y3250e4n.cloudfront.net/ht-staging/user_answer/avatars/492885/large/open-uri20121111-2386-mnwrwk.jpeg?1352648864
http://site.storkbabygiftbaskets.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/sick-baby3-450x300.jpg