The Side Effects of Teething

Teething is a normal part of development. Teething occurs when the milk teeth emerge through the gums. Although the milk teeth develop when the baby is in the embryo stage, the teeth only start to grow out of the gums when the baby is 6-9 months old. When the teeth grow, special chemicals are released by the body, which makes part of the gums to separate and so allows the teeth to grow through. The teeth grow throughout the gums in stages. Mostly the lower front teeth come out first, followed by the middle teeth at the top. The other teeth follow over in the following months. A child’s age is  usually around 2½ or 3 when they have their full set of first teeth.

Teething is one of many milestones every baby will go through at some point in their young lives. Because teething cause pain, many babies drool or chew to relieve the pain of teething symptoms. Symptoms of teething often occur a few days (or even weeks) before the tooth comes through the gum. Common symptoms of teething include:

• Red and swollen gums.
• Red flushed cheek or face.
• Rubbing their ears on the side from where the tooth is coming through.
• Dribbling more than usual.
• Waking at night and generally being very unsettled.
• Inconsistent feeding.
• Rubbing their gums, chewing, biting  or sucking more.

There is little evidence that fever and mild diarrhoea are caused by teething. Teething should not make your child to become unwell. If your child is in pain with his/her teething, then we may give paracetamol or ibuprofen. These should be given according to the recommended doses for their age.

The side effects of teething occur as a result of the teething process. Teething causes gum and tooth discomfort, and its side effects usually occur as a result of this discomfort. Some of the possible side effects of teething include:

• Excessive drooling
• Irritability/crankiness
• Hand biting
• Biting or chewing on anything
• Night wakening
• Ear pulling
• Gum rubbing
• Hardening of the lower gum line
• Facial rash (drool rash)
• Low-grade fever (below 100.4ºF or 38ºC)
• Sensitive and painful gums
• Feeding difficulties

Babies are known for being fussy and cranky while teething. Irritability and fussiness symptoms usually come and go throughout the teething process. The baby may be restless throughout the night and refuse to eat. Babies may often put their hands in their mouths or bite their hands. When molars are coming out, teething babies often rub their cheeks or ears. Teething can cause babies to develop a low-grade fever of no more than 100.4°F (38°C). Fevers higher than this are generally not a side effect of teething. Massaging your teething baby's gums is a great way to relieve the pain of teething. There are teething gels available which contain a local anaesthetic or mild antiseptic. These are thought to be safe to use in children and may provide some relief.