Teething - Family Health

[Pages:2]TEETHING

Children's first teeth usually erupt sometime between 6 and 10 months of age, but may be as early as 3 months or as late as 15 months. Typically the lower two teeth (central incisors) come in first, followed by the upper 4 teeth (central and lateral incisors) within the next 1-2 months, then the lower lateral incisors, then the first molars (upper and lower), and then the canine teeth. In most children, this process is relatively painless and doesn't cause too many problems. It may cause some mild pain and fussiness, however, which can be relieved with the measures below:

HOME TREATMENT: ? Gum Massage: Rub the affected area of gum with a clean fingertip for a few minutes as needed. You may also use a wet washcloth that has been placed in the freezer for 15-30 minutes to rub the gums. ? Teething Rings: Your child likely will enjoy chewing on a firm object such as a teething ring. Many children like them cold from the refrigerator, but avoid placing them in the freezer, which will likely make them too hard and too cold. Older infants may enjoy a Popsicle or tiny ice chips. Avoid large hard foods, such as carrots, which pose a choking hazard. Teething biscuits, if the child is monitored, are OK, but usually not necessary. ? Pain Medicine: Occasionally there is enough gum inflammation to cause a fair amount of pain. If your child is significantly uncomfortable, you may try some acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) every 4-6 hours for up to a couple of days as needed.

COMMON MISTAKES AND MYTHS: ? Because your child's first 20 teeth come in almost continuously from 6 months to 2 years of age, it's easy to blame teething on a variety of unrelated symptoms, such as fever. Teething does not cause fevers; temperatures up to 100.4F are normal. Often parents sometimes check their child's temperature when they are teething because the child is fussy, find a 99-100 temperature (which is within

normal temperature range) and think this is a fever. If your child has a fever more than 100.4, it is most likely caused by another illness. ? When a child starts drooling more and chewing on everything around 4 months, he is not necessarily teething. This is normal developmental exploratory behavior at this age; teething is less likely unless you see swollen gums and/or the child is fussy. ? Topical pain medicines (Orajel, teething tablets, etc) are generally not recommended, as they are usually not very effective and may be harmful. Many topical gels contain benzocaine, which washes away within minutes and may cause choking by numbing the back of the throat. Some teething tablets contain coffee as well as belladonna, an herbal alkaloid which may cause a variety of side effects including allergic reactions, rash, dizziness, heart palpitations, abdominal or other pains.

Don't forget to brush! Your child's new teeth should be brushed 1-2 times a day with a soft toothbrush or soft cloth and water. No toothpaste is needed until around 2 years of age. (Revised 7/07)

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