Teething

Teething is a process in which an infant's teeth sequentially appear by breaking through the gums. Teething may start as early as three months or as late, in some cases, as twelve months. The first teeth typically appear between six and nine months. It can take several years for all 20 teeth to complete the tooth eruption. Though the process of teething is sometimes referred to as "cutting teeth", when teeth emerge through the gums they do not cut through the flesh. Instead, hormones are released within the body that cause some cells in the gums to die and separate, allowing the teeth to come through.

Symptoms

Teething can cause a number of symptoms, which can vary greatly from child to child. Some common symptoms include:

• Slight increase in temperature
• Increased salivation
• Restlessness or decreased sleeping due to gum discomfort
• Refusal of food due to soreness of the gum region
• Fussiness that comes and goes

Management

The management of teething often involves trying to relieve the discomfort and distress it can cause. Some methods include:

• Using a teething ring, a device made of rubber or plastic that can be chewed on by a teething child.
• Rubbing the gums with a clean finger.
• Using over-the-counter remedies, such as topical anesthetics.

See also

• Dentition
• Pediatric dentistry
• Child development

References

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