2. Contents
Introduction
Time of teething
Order of eruption
Signs &symptoms of teething
Transposition
Infraocclusion
Impacted teeth
Natal and neonatal teeth
Ankylosis
References
3. What is teething?
Teething is the process by which an infant teeth
erupt or break through the gums. Teething is also
referred as cutting of the teeth.
It is medically termed as odontiasis
4. When do babies start teething?
The onset of teething symptoms typically precedes
the eruption of a tooth by several days. While a
baby first tooth can present between 4 and 10
months of age. The first tooth usually erupts at
approximately 6 months of age.
5. Signs associated with
teething
Systemic
•General irritability and
crying
•Fever above 101F
•Diarrhea runny nose and
cough
•Increased thirst
•Loss of appetite
•Rash over the body
Local
•Increased drooling
•Restless or decreased
sleeping
•Refusal of food
•Bringing hands to the
mouth
•Mild rash around the
mouth
•Rubbing the cheeks or ear
region
6. Teething symptoms
Symptoms of teething often occur a few days (or
even weeks) before the tooth comes through the
gum. Common signs and symptoms include:
Red and swollen gums.
Red flushed cheek or face.
Rubbing their ears on the same side as the tooth
which is coming through.
Waking more at night and generally being more
unsettled.
Inconsistent feeding.
Rubbing their gums, biting, chewing or sucking
more.
7. Treatment for teething
Many babies and children will have minimal or no symptoms
when they are teething so will not need any treatment.
However, the following may be useful for those who are
having symptoms:
General advice
Gently rubbing over the affected gum with your clean
finger may ease the pain. Many children find that biting
on a clean and cool object is soothing (for example, a
chilled teething ring or a clean, cold, wet flannel).
Chewing on chilled fruit or vegetables may help.
However, teething biscuits (or rusks) should be
avoided as they contain sugar.
8. Medicine to help the pain
If your child is in pain or discomfort with their teething,
then giving a pain reliever such as paracetamol or
ibuprofen may help. These should be given at the
recommended doses for their age.
There is no evidence that complementary treatments
are of any benefit for teething - for example, herbal
teething powder.
Teething gels
There are teething gels available which contain a local
anaesthetic or mild antiseptic (for example, Bonjela®
or Calgel®). The local anaesthetic is usually lidocaine.
Experts advise against using these gels for teething
pain. This is because there is not much evidence that
they help for very long and there is evidence that they
can cause harm
