Many parents think that at the tender age of 3 or 4 Months, when the baby starts drooling, it means they are going to see white pearls coming out. Not so soon. Drooling is another milestone your little ones are going to accomplish way before they get their first tooth. So do not hang on to your cameras just yet because for most babies there would still be several months before they get that first tooth. As your little one starts drooling it is normal for them to start placing anything and everything in their little mouths. This process is called mouthing. This is an exploration stage and while it can be really frustrating as a Mom, it really is a very normal growth pattern for the little ones. Most children start really mouthing things around age 5-6 months. This is when teething for most babies start. So there is so much more to teething than just drooling. Once your babies start putting everything in their mouth, rubs their gums, is fussy and cranky then you have some reasons to believe that your child may be teething.
Most pediatricians believe that teething myths are well just "myths." They do not believe children become fussy or irritable or that they may have any other symptoms. As a dentist, I know there is no direct correlation between teething and some of these symptoms. However, experts do show some connection between the two. I happen to believe that some children do experience these symptoms and here is the reason why they do.
Gum and Ear rubbing: The pain from gums and teeth can travel to the ear area, so it is not that uncommon for them to keep rubbing their gums and pulling their ear. Adults get referred ear pain all the time, so it is not that hard to believe that children can get them too. Sometimes children due to the extra saliva getting stuck in their nose-throat passage can end up with an ear infection. So if ear pulling is accompanied with high fever then check with the doctor for possible ear infection.
Putting everything in their mouth: this is just your baby's way of trying to comfort the itchy gums. Also it could be that they are just experiencing something new in their mouth and are trying to explore it a bit more.
Irritability: mainly because as the sharp teeth get closer to the surface of the gum, they create soreness and discomfort and cause your baby to be fussy. Pain and discomfort is the main source of irritability.
Decreased appetite for solid food: It just may be too painful to eat solids. The extra saliva usually causes infants to feel like they are chocking when they eat solids. It is hard for them to manipulate the food and the saliva all at the same time.
Low grade fever: really there is no link between teething and fever. It is generally agreed though, that some low grade fever is not that uncommon. Any fever over 101 degree should be checked with the Doctor.
Waking up at night: when babies are relaxed and not busy, they notice the discomfort more.
Sometimes it can also accompany skin rash and or diarrhea: Again, most experts do not see an association between teething and diarrhea or rash. However, an Australian study has shown an association between looser bowl movement and teething. It is possible that the extra saliva swallowed during the drooling period can cause looser bowls in infants. The rash can be due to excess saliva as well. This can be prevented if you gently and periodically wipe your baby's mouth.
Does Teething really cause Fever?
Low grade fever may or may not accompany teething, however most experts will tell you that teething does not cause fever. The stress on your baby due to teething allows some opportunistic infections to surface and cause fever. If your child has high fever, be assured that it is not caused by teething and make sure proper treatment and care is provided for. Teething has been used as an umbrella to cover many issues that happen to the baby between 6 to 24 months.
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