| Teething is a normal process by which an infant begins | | | | potentially serious illness to teething, doctors and |
| to cut the first teeth (primary dentition). The relationship | | | | parents must rule out other possible causes. Severe |
| between the eruption of the deciduous teeth and the | | | | systemic upsets are unrelated to teething and, if |
| general health of infants has been documented for | | | | present, the infant should be promptly referred to a |
| over 5,000 years. Various physical disturbances | | | | physician for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate |
| (anything from minor upsets to potentially fatal | | | | treatment. In addition, most healthcare professionals |
| illnesses) have historically been applied to teething. It is | | | | believe that teething predisposes to infections, most |
| now accepted that the localized symptoms of teething | | | | commonly colds and ear infections. |
| vary between individuals. | | | | All of these symptoms result in a distressed child and |
| On average, infants begin teething at six months and | | | | anxious parents. Professionals in all groups believed |
| by the age of three years all the first teeth have | | | | that parents experience as much (or more) distress as |
| erupted. A variety of symptoms reported in medical | | | | the infants themselves. However, "teething" continues |
| literatures. They include: | | | | to be a confusing illness that is often misdiagnosed by |
| - Decreased appetite for solid foods; | | | | both healthcare professionals and lay people. |
| - Biting, drooling, ear-rubbing, ear-pulling, and gum-rubbing; | | | | The treatment modalities used in teething have been |
| - Irritability (crying); | | | | diverse throughout the ages, frequently depending on |
| - Coughing | | | | the beliefs of the medical profession and laypeople. |
| - Rash on face; | | | | The modern principles for managing teething involve |
| - Sucking; | | | | pain relief and supportive measures. |
| - Inflamed gums and red cheeks; | | | | Some teething symptoms can be eased effectively at |
| - Feeding problems; | | | | home with teething aids such as cold teething rings. |
| - Abnormal temperature (defined as being greater than | | | | Over-the-counter treatments are available. Pain relief is |
| a child's own mean temperature plus 1 standard | | | | provided mainly in the form of analgesic (Tylenol) and |
| deviation or fevers greater than 102°F); | | | | anaesthetic gels (for examples: oragel, Paracetamol, |
| - Wakefulness (sleep disturbance); | | | | and teething gels). Some of these topical gels also |
| - Smelly urine | | | | have antiseptic properties. Moreover, gels such as |
| - Congestion; | | | | those containing choline salicylate can be applied direct |
| - Convulsions; and | | | | to the gums specifically to relieve pain and |
| - Stool looseness | | | | inflammation. Some medical professionals also |
| There is no evidence that teething was associated | | | | recommend antibiotics or naturopathic medications. |
| with any severe, health-threatening conditions. Thus, | | | | The "alternative" therapies, although they are not well |
| before charging any signs or symptoms of a | | | | documented in the medical literature, are also helpful. |