Teething Process in Babies

Teething Process in Babies

Teething, which occurs in every baby and can present with similar symptoms in each baby, is a period that involuntarily causes concern for mothers and fathers. Although the teething process is a condition that every baby experiences, what is known about this period and its symptoms may be very limited. In particular, parents may not have sufficient knowledge about managing the symptoms. For example, during the eruption of baby teeth, symptoms such as sleep disturbance, frequent crying, dry cough, gum inflammation and drooling may occur. In addition, although less common than other symptoms, diarrhea and fever may also occur in babies during teething. When babies begin teething, pain may also appear in some of them. For this reason, where appropriate, consulting a doctor so that the pain during this process can be prevented with medication for the baby may be an option. During the teething process, parents should act by trying to understand the problems that occur in their babies and should be informed accordingly.

When Does Teething Start in Babies?

The timing of teething may vary individually depending on the baby and the baby’s family. Genetic characteristics and thyroid hormone may be seen as the key factors in tooth development. For this reason, in a healthy baby, the age of eruption of the first tooth may be delayed up to 16 months. This period is determined as 6 months in most babies. The teeth that erupt at around 6 months in most babies may be completed as 20 teeth by 30 months of age. In particular, when baby teeth begin to erupt, they are seen to come through in sequence in the mouth. The period during which baby teeth erupt is also called the “primary dentition period.” In babies, the sequence of tooth eruption is most commonly known to be from front to back and from bottom to top.

What Are the Symptoms of Teething in Babies?

According to Hippocrates, many disorders such as diarrhea, convulsions (seizures) and fever may be seen during the eruption of baby teeth. Although parents may regard teething as a health problem, it should be noted that these symptoms exist only temporarily as long as attention is paid. The teething process can be laborious and may be worrying for parents, but the appearance of symptoms during this period is considered a normal condition for every baby. In a 3-month-old baby, saliva production may increase. This indicates that the baby teeth have begun to push through the gums and are preparing to erupt. During the eruption of baby teeth, gum inflammation, fussiness, drooling, dry cough and sleep disturbance are very commonly seen symptoms. In addition, symptoms such as fever and diarrhea are also among the symptoms that may be present, although they are not as common as the others. During the eruption of the first tooth, there may be an increase in the baby’s drooling, and pain at the site where the tooth is erupting may occur, although the likelihood is low. These symptoms may not be seen in most babies. The most common disorders can be listed as follows:

Loss of appetite

Refusing solid foods

Increased saliva

Urge to bite/chew

Fever

Itching and redness of the gums

Diarrhea

Short sleep duration

Restlessness

What Are the Helpful Aids During the Teething Process in Babies?

Although the teething process is a painful period for mothers and fathers, they should try to understand their children during this period and act accordingly. Gum pain that begins with the teething period can be reduced by using a washed, damp cloth, cold teething rings, or by massaging the gums with a clean finger. Mothers and fathers may need to massage their baby’s gums with a clean, cold cloth and apply teething gels to the gums before feeding the baby. Providing teethers or cold foods for the baby to chew, so that they can massage their gums, may reduce the baby’s pain and restlessness and help them get through this process more calmly and comfortably.

According to the book “A Look at Child Psychiatry in Ibn-i Sina,” tremors seen during the teething process in babies are normal and natural, and it is written that during this process the baby’s body should be massaged with narcissus and shebboy oil to soothe the baby. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends the use of chilled teething rings and oral analgesics (pain relievers taken by mouth) on the baby’s gums to treat the symptoms. Using topical anesthetic medications, including over-the-counter teething gels, to eliminate the problem may be risky because of their high rate of harm. The use of medications containing acetaminophen and ibuprofen helps to relieve teething pain. Gels containing benzocaine, however, may not be suitable for babies due to the risk of methemoglobinemia (a condition in which hypoxia occurs as a result of impaired oxygen transport to the tissues). For this reason, consulting a specialist physician before using any medication may be advisable.

Medical (homeopathic) treatments and natural treatments are widely used and are said to help eliminate the restlessness that occurs during the teething process in babies; however, there are not enough results to confirm that the effect of this treatment is definite. Amber may be preferred as a natural and traditional treatment method used during the teething period. Since amber is a natural pain reliever and releases a small amount of oil when used on the baby, it may eliminate the discomfort symptoms during the teething process. For this reason, it may also be worn on the baby as jewelry (necklace, bracelet, anklet, etc.).

What Are the Stages of Teething in Babies?

The eruption of the first tooth in babies is seen as a milestone. In particular, the eruption of a baby’s first tooth creates new excitement for those around the baby, especially for parents. Baby teeth are known to number 20, and these baby teeth generally begin to erupt between 4 and 10 months of age or later. Completion of the teeth is also most commonly seen between 30 and 36 months. The eruption of teeth can be listed as front to back and bottom to top.

What Are the Causes of Delayed Teething in Babies?

After babies are born, the gums may contain most of the teeth. The period in which the first tooth erupts may vary depending on the baby’s genetic condition. There is a possibility that teeth may erupt late due to health problems such as the baby being premature (born early) or having a developmental problem. In addition, conditions such as poor eating habits that contribute to the baby’s developmental process, or vitamin deficiency, may also cause teeth to erupt late. For this reason, attention should be paid to the developmental process of a newborn from the first month onward, and action may even need to be taken on the advice of a specialist physician. If a 13-month-old baby has not yet started teething, parents should consult a specialist physician. Especially in conditions such as Down syndrome, medical follow-up should be ensured. Since babies begin eating foods other than milk after a certain month (on average after 6 months), late-erupting teeth may delay this, and problems may arise in the baby’s eating habits and development.

Frequently Asked Questions

There is no definitive answer as to how many days teething will last in babies, but the eruption process of a single tooth may last on average more than 8 days. It is also possible for it to erupt in a shorter time. Signs that a baby is teething generally vary depending on the baby’s genetic structure. Restlessness, reduced sleep, loss of appetite, and itching, redness and swelling of the gums are seen in most babies. In addition, fever, diarrhea and drooling may also be seen in some babies. There is no fixed period regarding the order and months in which babies’ teeth erupt. The teeth that can be seen in most babies and erupt during certain periods can be listed as follows:

Front teeth: 6-10 months

Lateral Teeth 9-10 months

Canine teeth: 15-21 months

First molars: 13-18 months

Second molars: 24-33 months

Diarrhea, one of the symptoms that occur during the teething process, is a condition that lasts for several days but usually does not continue beyond 3 days. During this time, parents should not simply attribute it to teething, but should consult a doctor beforehand to confirm whether there is another illness that could cause diarrhea. Although there is no research that has reached a definitive conclusion about how long it takes for the first tooth to erupt, the eruption of the first tooth may be indicated by certain signs. In particular, the first tooth may appear within a few days after redness, itching and swelling of the gums, that is, on average after 4 days. Babies may experience pain during the teething process. To relieve this pain and soothe the baby, the following methods may be applied:

A finger confirmed to be clean may be used to massage the area where the teeth will erupt.

Cold application may be applied inside the mouth.

Teething gels may be used, or cold and hard foods may be given to the baby.

Pain relievers that a specialist doctor may recommend may be used.

You can arrange a consultation with a specialist doctor to make your baby’s teething process more informed and comfortable.