Pediatrix

Teething

Children’s teeth begin forming before birth, early in the fetal stage. Your diet during pregnancy provided the essential nutrients for your baby’s tooth development. Most children begin teething at four to six months of age. Indicators include drooling, biting and chewing.

The first to appear are usually the front teeth, or incisors on the lower jaw. They’re normally followed by the four upper central and lateral incisors. Then the lower lateral incisors and the molars appear. Before the child’s second birthday, the pointed teeth known as canines usually come through. After age two, the remaining molars erupt.

Teething can cause many symptoms including low grade fever, irritability, waking up at night. But at Pediatrix we hesitate to attribute symptoms to teething until other possible causes have been ruled out.

To soothe a teething child, try having him chew on something cold such as wet wash cloth which has been placed in the freezer for a few minutes. Tylenol can be effective in relieving symptoms. Solutions placed directly on the gums don’t last long enough to be very effective, but may help.

Brushing should begin as soon as the teeth come in. Remember that bottles in bed cause rotting of the teeth. No bottles in bed is a good rule to follow.