Symptoms of teething

Symptoms of teething can vary depending on when your child is cutting their first tooth. The vast majority of babies starts teething between four and nine months while some babies cut their first tooth as early as three months and others start teething as late as one year of age.

Did you know? Teeth start developing while the baby is still in the womb with tooth buds forming in the gums. Some babies are even born with teeth in their mouth!

Because of the individual and very different teething experiences experts often disagree about the symptoms of teething. However most parent notice one of the following:

Drooling

Teething stimulates the excessive production of saliva resulting in drooling.

Tip: If the constant dribbling of saliva is causing your baby’s skin around the mouth to become sore and red or worse if your baby develops a rash around the mouth try to keep the area dry and apply a barrier cream to protect and soothe the skin.

Note: Because your baby is likely to swallow more saliva his or her stool is prone to become looser.
If your baby is experiencing diarrhoea consult your doctor.

Biting

A teething baby is known to bite on anything he or she can get his or her gums around. The pressure experienced from biting is believed to help babies relieve the painful pressure on their gums. At the same time parents may find that their baby refuses to eat or only eats very little. If the eating behaviour of your baby starts worrying you consult your doctor.

Irritability

Your baby’s gums are becoming increasingly more sore and painful as the little teeth rise closer to the surface. Teething gums may be swollen and red and you might even see little white dots or small openings where the next tooth is about to cut through (if your baby keeps its mouth open long enough for you to have a glimpse inside). Your baby may be extra fussy when it cuts his or her first tooth and later when the molars come through due to their bigger size. In many cases babies become accustomed to the sensation of teething and parents find ways to ease the pain of their little ones.

 
Note: Sore gums may in severe cases cause a low fever and are even prone to bleed. If your baby has a temperature or if you detect excessively bleeding gums in your child consult your doctor.

Ear pulling

Painful gums may evoke an aching sensation in cheeks and ears especially when the big molars start cutting through.  You may see your baby rubbing their cheeks or pulling their ears in order to help relieve the unpleasant sensation.
Remember if you are at all concerned about your baby pulling their ears always seek medical attention especially if you are not sure that your child’s symptoms are related to teething.

Sleeplessness

The pain of teething is likely to have an effect on your baby’s sleeping quality and pattern. Babies who suffer from teething pain are more likely to wake up at night when the pain gets too bad. Sleepless nights occur most often when your baby cuts his or her very first tooth and towards the end when the bigger molars come out.

Award winning Nelsons Teetha is trusted by parents to relieve the troubles and symptoms of teething.

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