Get to know teething, the process of growing teeth

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Definition

What is teething?

Teething is the process by which a baby's first teeth (primary teeth, often called “baby teeth” or “baby teeth”) appear sequentially growing through the gums, usually in pairs. Teething usually starts between the ages of six and eight months. This process can take up to several years before all 20 teeth finish growing.

Although the teething process is sometimes referred to as "cutting teeth," when the teeth grow through the gums, they do not cut through the gums, but hormones are released in the body which then causes a number of cells in the gums to die and separate, allowing teeth to emerge.

Teething is a natural part of a baby's growth and development. Because of the pain and discomfort it causes, it is easy for parents to feel anxious about this process. Know that teething symptoms will eventually pass, and that your child will one day have a healthy set of teeth thanks to your efforts to maintain good oral hygiene. Any lingering concern or discomfort should be reported to the pediatrician or family doctor.

How common is teething?

Sometime between 2 and 8 months of age (or older), your baby's teeth will make a big pop which will make your baby grumpy.

Talk to your doctor for more information.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of teething?

Each baby displays a unique mix of teething symptoms. The most common symptoms are irritability and decreased appetite.

Teething can occur with many signs and symptoms, including:

• saliva dripping
• biting solid objects
• crying and irritability
• irritable
• inability to sleep
• loss of appetite
• sore and sensitive gums
• red and swollen gums

When should I see a doctor?

You should seek medical help immediately if your baby develops these symptoms.

If your baby experiences any of the signs or symptoms listed above, or has any questions, please consult a doctor. Everyone's body reacts differently. It is always best to discuss what is best for your situation with your doctor.

Cause

What causes teething?

Babies are born with a complete set of teeth under the gums. During their first year of life, these teeth begin to grow from the gums.

These teeth gradually penetrate the gums. Usually, the lower teeth — often referred to as pegs — appear first, followed by the upper teeth in the middle. From here, another tooth will grow through the gum over a three year period, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Some children may even get their full set of teeth after 2 years.

The following is the usual sequence of primary dentition:

• middle incisors: ages 6-12 months
• side incisors: ages 9-16 months
• canines: ages 16-23 months
• first molars: 13-19 months of age
• second molar: 22-24 months of age

Between the ages of 6 and 12 years, the roots of these 20 "baby" teeth will weaken, allowing their replacement with 32 permanent "adult" teeth. Third molars ("wisdom teeth") do not have the "baby" version that preceded them and will generally develop in the middle to late adolescence. Because of their tendency to squeeze and bend, these third molars are often extracted.

Risk factors

What increases my risk of teething?

Since this is a natural process, there are no risk factors for teething.

Medicines & Medicines

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How is teething diagnosed?

The dentist or health care professional will place your child on a table or make you hold him in your lap for an examination. Then the dentist or medical professional will likely:

• evaluate your child's oral hygiene and overall health
• demonstrate proper cleaning technique
• look for canker sores or lumps on your child's tongue, inside cheeks, and roof of the mouth.
• Evaluate the impact of habits such as pacifier use and thumb sucking

What are the treatments for teething?

Many babies and children have no or only minimal symptoms when they are teething so treatment is not needed.

However, the following may be helpful for those experiencing symptoms:

• General advice

Gently rubbing the affected gum with your clean finger can provide pain relief. Many children find chewing on a clean, cool object relaxing (for example, cold teething teething or a clean, wet, cold flannel). Chewing on cold fruit or vegetables can help. However, biscuits for teething should be avoided because they contain sugar.

• Medicine to relieve pain

If your child is in pain due to teething, then giving paracetamol or ibuprofen can help. It should be administered at the dosage recommended for her age.

There is no evidence that additional treatments provide any benefit for teething — for example, herbal powders for teething.

• Gel teething

There are teething gels that contain local anesthetic or mild antiseptic. The local anesthetic is usually lidocaine. Experts do not recommend using this gel for teething pain. This is because there is not much evidence that this gel is helpful for a long time and there is evidence that it causes damage. There are a number of cases where babies accidentally take too much anesthetic and experience serious consequences, including death. If you choose not to use teething gel, follow the company's instructions carefully to ensure its safety.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be made to treat teething?

If your teething baby seems uncomfortable, consider these simple tips:

• Rub your baby's gums. Use clean fingers or damp gauze to wipe your baby's gums. The pressure will ease your baby's discomfort.
• Keep it cool. A cool washcloth, spoon or teething pacifier can soothe your baby's gums. However, do not provide frozen teething. Contact with extreme cold can be dangerous.
• Try solid foods. If your baby eats solid food, you can offer something edible to chew on — such as cucumber or cold peeled carrots. However, watch your baby closely. Every piece of food can pose a choking hazard.
• Dry the saliva. Excess salivation is part of the teething process. To prevent skin irritation, prepare a clean cloth to dry your baby's chin. Consider applying a moisturizer such as a water-based cream or lotion.
• Try over-the-counter drugs. If your baby is particularly fussy, acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Children's Motrin, others) can help.

And you shouldn't forget that you have wiped a clean, damp washcloth on your baby's gums every day. If not, now is a good time to start. The washcloth can prevent bacteria from building up in your baby's mouth.

When your baby's first teeth appear, switch to a small, soft toothbrush. Before your child learns how to spit — around the age of 3 — use only a small amount of fluoride toothpaste no more than the size of a grain of rice.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor to understand the best solution for you.