Teething patterns vary significantly from child to child — some don’t have any teeth at their first year of life, while others are sporting a mouthful already. The huge bulk of babies grow their first teeth between 4 and 7 months of age. And, sometimes, they have fever symptoms as well.
Teeth normally appear one at a time over a duration of months, and typically– but not always– in this order: First the bottom two middle teeth, then the leading two middle ones, then the ones along the sides and back. (They might not all come in straight, however don’t worry– they typically straighten out in time.) Your toddler’s first molars, the broader teeth in the back of the mouth, will most likely begin to appear by the time he turns 1.
The last teeth to appear (the 2nd molars, found in the extremely back of the mouth on the top and bottom) are usually all in location by a child’s second birthday. By age 3, your child needs to have a complete set of 20 baby teeth, which should not fall out till his irreversible teeth are prepared to start being available in, around age 6.
Teething Symptoms in Toddlers
Because your child’s molars are larger and more blunt than the middle teeth that came in first, you may expect their eruption to cause more pain. Really, it’s likely that your child’s last teeth will come in practically undetected. Laura Grunbaum, a pediatrician in San Leandro, California, states couple of parents complain to her about their toddler’s teething, either because they know what to do by now or their child simply isn’t in much pain.
In truth, professionals disagree about whether teething causes symptoms — like fussiness, diarrhea, and fever– or whether these common symptoms are not related to teething at all and simply coincidentally appear at the same time as emerging teeth. Regardless, lots of parents maintain that their teething children do suffer discomfort (though some children make it through the procedure with no issues at all). If your toddler does have teething difficulty, here are the symptoms he’s probably to experience:
- Drooling (which can cause a facial rash).
- Gum swelling and level of sensitivity.
- Irritability or fussiness.
- Biting behavior.
- Refusing food.
- Sleep issues.
Though numerous parents report that their children have loose stools, runny noses, or a fever right before a brand-new tooth arrives, the majority of specialists don’t think teething is to blame for these symptoms. One who does is William Sears, pediatrician and author of The Baby Book. Sears believes that teething can cause diarrhea and a moderate diaper rash due to the fact that your child’s extreme saliva winds up in his gut and loosens his stools. Inflammation in the gums, he believes, may cause a low fever (under 101 degrees Fahrenheit).
On the other hand, child advancement specialists such as Penelope Leach assert that teething can not cause fever, diarrhea, vomiting, or loss of appetite which these are signs of health problem that must be had a look at. Noted pediatrician T. Berry Brazelton says such symptoms are probably due to an infection unrelated to teething, but that the stress connected with teething could make your child more vulnerable to infection right before a brand-new tooth appears.
The something experts settle on is that you need to call your child’s doctor if your toddler has symptoms that stress you or a rectal temperature of 102 degrees F or greater. The doctor can help figure out whether your child is showing signs of a problem that needs medical attention, like an ear infection. If your toddler has loose stools– however not diarrhea– do not worry. The condition will clean up by itself.
Can Teething in Toddler Cause a Fever?
However what if your baby is running a fever? Is it another sign of teething, or could he/she be ill?
Teething can raise your baby’s body temperature, however only somewhat. Any fever over 100.4 F is a sign that your child is probably ill.
How to Tell If Your Child Has Fever and Cold?
A sick baby can likewise be grouchy and have problem eating and sleeping. Your baby has probably picked up a cold, stomach bug, or other health problem similar to fever if he/she:
- Has a runny or stuffed nose
- Is sneezing or coughing
- Has diarrhea or is vomiting
- Has a rash
If you’re still uncertain what’s going on, contact your pediatrician.
How to Soothe Sore Gums During Teething
If your baby is teething, the best method to calm him is to put pressure on his gums. You can massage them with a clean finger or provide your baby a rubber teething ring to chew on.
Cool things feel good to a teething baby. However it can harm her gums if it’s too cold. Putting a teething ring in the freezer can also make it burst and leak. Rather, put the ring in the fridge until it’s cool. If you don’t have a teething ring handy, stick a wet washcloth in the refrigerator rather.
Don’t use gels that you rub on your baby’s gums or teething tablets. They don’t generally help, and some have belladonna (a dangerous plant) or benzocaine (a medicine that numbs his gums), and both can be damaging. The FDA has actually warned against these due to the fact that of the possibility of a harmful side effect: They can decrease the amount of oxygen in the blood stream.
If your baby is over 6 months old, you might be able to give her ibuprofen (Children’s Motrin) or acetaminophen (Children’s Tylenol) to help with teething pain. But contact her doctor first.
When to Call the Doctor
Teething babies can be grouchy, and they often are. But expect signs that your child is truly ill. Call your doctor if your baby:
- Is under 3 months old and has a temperature over 100.4 F.
- Is over 3 months old and has a fever over 102 F.
- Has a fever that lasts longer than 24 hours.
- Has diarrhea, vomiting, or a rash with the fever.
- Is very sleepy or looks sick.
- Can’t be relieved.
Teething can be a discouraging time for both your baby and you. Keep in mind that this is simply another stage. In the meantime, keep your baby as comfy as possible. When those first teeth pop up, brush them every day with a soft-bristled children’s toothbrush to keep them healthy.