Can a Baby's Teething Symptoms Come & Go?

Common Symptoms

• Some babies cut teeth with no symptoms, but most babies aren't so lucky. While the teeth are emerging from the gums, your baby will likely experience swollen and tender gums. This discomfort is what causes many babies to be fussy and irritable while they're getting teeth. Your baby might also drool more than normal and shy away from food because it is painful to eat. Your baby might have a low fever and experience diarrhea, too, but it's not known if these are caused by the teething or occur coincidentally at the same time he's cutting teeth, the BabyCenter website notes.

When They Might Be Bothersome

• The discomfort and other symptoms of teething can come and go. Your baby might be most bothered around nap or bedtime. The pain often associated with teething can keep your little one awake, leading to exhaustion and crankiness. Teething might bother your baby more at mealtimes than other times during the day, too, because she is using her gums and jaw to gnaw her food, which irritates the already tender gums.

Pain Relief

• You might notice your baby's teething symptoms come and go if you're giving her over-the-counter pain relief. Shortly after a dose of the pain medication, your baby's symptoms will probably ease. As the pain relief medication wears off, however, her symptoms are likely to return, which can cause her to become cranky and fussy again. If this is the case, offer your baby another dose of medication as soon as enough time has passed since the previous dose. Always ask your baby's pediatrician about appropriate doses before giving your little one any medication.

What Else You Need to Know

• You can offer your baby a teething ring, frozen washcloth or teething biscuit to help ease symptoms, but there's not much else you can do to speed the process up and completely eliminate her symptoms. If you notice that her symptoms come and go, try distracting her. Read a book, take a walk or play with her favorite toys. This distraction can take her mind off the discomfort. If you notice that your baby has a high fever or severe diarrhea, call her doctor right away. These symptoms aren't associated with teething and could signal that she has an infection that's unrelated to teething.