Teething: Signs and Symptoms
Teething is the completely normal process of your child’s primary (baby) teeth erupting (breaking) through their gums. Your child will typically begin to teeth around six months of age, and the process should continue until they’re about two to three years old.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, you should expect four teeth to erupt every six months during this period. The first teeth to come in are typically the front teeth on the bottom and top, followed by pairs spread between opposite sides of your child’s mouth.
Teething is accompanied by some completely expected symptoms, while others should be a cause of concern. Fortunately, your pediatrician is specially trained to recognize and treat any symptoms your child might encounter.
Normal symptoms of teething may include:
- Increased drooling
- Reduced appetite
- Crankiness
- Rash
- Swollen or red gums
- Enhanced desire to chew or bite on objects
You should seek out the advice of your pediatrician if your child experiences unusual symptoms, including:
- Diarrhea
- A fever of 101 Fahrenheit or greater
- High levels of mucous
- Crying and is unable to be consoled
- Refuses to drink
- Frequent vomiting
These symptoms are cause for some more attention from your doctor, but is fever actually caused by teething? What’s the connection? We'll discuss more below.