What is Teething

Teething is the process by which teeth become visible. Teething usually starts when a child is 3–6 months old, and it continues until the child is about 3 years old.

Because teething irritates the gums, children who are teething may cry, drool a lot, and want to chew on things. Teething can also affect eating or sleeping habits.

Follow these instructions at home:

Pay attention to any changes in your child’s symptoms. Take these actions to help with discomfort:

• Do not use products that contain benzocaine (including numbing gels) to treat teething or mouth pain in children who are younger than 2 years. These products may cause a rare but serious blood condition.
• Massage your child’s gums firmly with your finger or with an ice cube that is covered with a cloth. Massaging the gums may also make feeding easier if you do it before meals.
• Cool a wet wash cloth or teething ring in the refrigerator. Then let your baby chew on it. Never tie a teething ring around your baby’s neck. It could catch on something and choke your baby.
• If your child is having too much trouble nursing or sucking from a bottle, use a cup to give fluids.
• If your child is eating solid foods, give your child a teething biscuit or frozen banana slices to chew on.
• Give over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your child’s health care provider.
• Apply a numbing gel as told by your child’s health care provider. Numbing gels are usually less helpful in easing discomfort than other methods.

Contact a health care provider if:

• The actions you take to help with your child’s discomfort do not seem to help.
• Your child has a fever.
• Your child has uncontrolled fussiness.
• Your child has red, swollen gums.
• Your child is wetting fewer diapers than normal.