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Baby Teething

Babies are born with 20 teeth, called primary or baby teeth, hiding under the surface of their gums. The first baby tooth usually erupts anywhere from 6 to 10 months of age. It's not unusual though for a baby not to have their first tooth until they are over a year old. Teething is also thought to be hereditary, so if you or your spouse was an early teether, your baby might be an early teether as well.

When Should My Baby Start Teething?

Baby teeth usually erupt in a specific order, but don't be surprised though if their teeth decide to follow a different pattern. Each baby is different, so the following is just a general guideline to help you know when and where to look for those tiny white spots that signal a new tooth.

Lower central incisors (6-10 months)
Upper central incisors (8-12 months)
Upper lateral incisors (9-13 months)
Lower lateral incisors (10-16 months)
Upper first molars (13-19 months)
Lower first molars (14-18 months)
Upper canines (16-22 months)
Lower canines (17-23 months)
Lower second molars (23-31)
Upper second molars (25-33)

Signs That Your Baby Is Teething

Now that you know the general idea of how these teeth will develop, how do you know if your child is actually teething or if they are suffering from any other ailment. Signs of teething may include...

Excessive drooling and/or rash around the mouth from the drool
Chewing fingers/hands
Chewing a bottle or biting down when nursing
General fussiness, crying or acting clingy
Suddenly waking up at night after successfully sleeping through the night for a while
Loss of interest in eating, taking a bottle or nursing - it simply hurts for them to eat.
Pulling at their ears - the pain from teething can spread along the jawline to their ears. If they have a fever though, it could be an ear infection and not related to teething.

There are also a couple other symptoms that may or may not be a sign of teething. Most doctors will tell you that they are not symptoms of teething, while many parents have noticed that their children experience them around the same time a tooth is erupting.

Diarrhea - It's possible that it can be caused by the excessive drool, which is then swallowed and causes loose stools. Diarrhea can be associated with many other childhood illnesses so if in doubt, be sure to have it checked out
Low Grade Fevers - Some parents are convinced that this is a sign, but it could also be a symptom of many other things. High fevers are not associated with teething. If your child has a high fever they should be seen by a pediatrician.

What Can I Do To Ease The Pain?

Some babies might be very tolerant of their teeth growing, while others may have a hard time coping with the discomfort. Usually molars will cause the greatest discomfort because of the surface area that these teeth need to break through the skin. Some babies are unfortunate to have a bunch of teeth erupt at the same time, which can be quite painful for them. There are many products out there though that can help alleviate some of this pain, therefore making it easier on everyone. You may need to try a couple different methods of pain relief to see which one works best for your child. Be sure to follow all directions carefully and use only in moderation and when necessary.

Teething gels - when placed on the gums, it helps numb the spot for a short period of time
Teething tablets - used the same way as teething gels, but come in a tablet form that you will need to crush and mix with water before applying.
Pain medicine such as Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen
Teething rings - Ones that can be frozen work really well to numb the gums. Chewing also helps the tooth break through the skin, which then helps alleviate the pain
Frozen washcloth - Just wet down a clean washcloth (make sure there are no loose strings), place it into a plastic bag or container and put it in the freezer. Let the baby chew on the washcloth and wash/refreeze for the next use.

Teething can be a stressful time for baby and parents, but with a little comfort it doesn't have to be. Before you know it these teeth will be falling out and a whole new set of teeth will be on their way!