“How do I know that my baby is teething?”

One of the questions we hear quite often from our young patients’ parents. Below are some of the useful information  you should know.

You can expect baby teething can start as early as two to three month, but usually around six month. That is when the low front baby teeth (low central incisors) will usually emerge.
Every child is unique. So your child may get through teething with no noticeable discomfort. But she may experience some discomfort since her gums around the erupting teeth may become tender and swollen. Below are some of the most likely signs that indicate that your child my have
• Crying or fussiness
• Drooling (which can cause a facial rash)
• Swollen, sensitive gums
• Gnawing or chewing behavior
• Refusing to eat
• Trouble sleeping
You can help your baby feel better by giving her some firm objects to chew on, such as a chilled teething ring. Gently rubbing over her sore gum with a clean finger can also ease the pain.
If these methods don’t work, and the symptoms are getting worse, please contact your pediatrician for advice. Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter pain relievers, such as infants’ acetaminophen or ibuprofen (for babies 6 months and older).
A note of caution is about your child having fever while teething. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that teething may cause a baby’s body temperature to increase slightly, a true fever (rectal temperature of 100.4 degrees F or higher) and diarrhea aren’t normal symptoms. In that case, please contact her doctor to rule out anything more serious.