Teething Side Effects

Time Frame

• All babies are different, but most begin teething around 6 months of age. For most babies, the front bottom teeth are the first to appear, followed by the top front. Around 12 months, the first molars usually appear, and by 18 months the pointed canines come through. By 3 years of age, most toddlers have their second set of molars, completing the child's first set of teeth.

Discomfort

• The eruption of new teeth typically causes pain and discomfort. As a result, babies may resist feeding. For babies nursing or drinking formula, the suction in the mouth may irritate tender gums. Solid food may also cause gum irritation. Many babies bite their hands or anything nearby to try to relieve pressure on the gums.

Drooling

• Teething causes an increase in saliva production for most babies. Excessive drooling may lead to rashes or chapped skin on the face and chin. Try to keep the baby's face clean and dry, and use baby moisturizer on chapped areas if necessary.

Attitude

• Most adults tend to get a bit grumpy when in pain, so it's not surprising that teething pain may cause a baby to feel irritable. For some babies, this may last for a matter of hours while the baby learns to cope with the gum pressure and irritation. Other babies may be irritable for days or weeks.

Sleep

• Discomfort from teething will occur during the night as well, which may cause your baby to stay awake or cry in the middle of the night. Try giving her a chance to fall back to sleep on her own before going in to comfort her.

Relief

• To help with discomfort, try giving your baby a teething ring, particularly one that can be placed in the freezer or refrigerator. Also try wetting and freezing a washcloth for him to suck on, which may also give relief to your baby. If nothing seems to help, ask your pediatrician if over-the-counter pain relievers or topical gels are an option.

Considerations

• Babies may pull on their ears when teething, and some parents report fevers when their babies are teething. Both of these may be signs of infection or other problems. If you are not sure if your baby is teething or has an infection or other illness, contact your pediatrician. The doctor and medical staff will be happy to answer your questions or see your baby for an exam.