Is the baby having a teething fever? Many mothers worry that teething fever affects their baby's health and makes them extremely uncomfortable. This article helps mothers recognize the signs of teething and how to take care of their teeth to reduce discomfort for your baby.
Most children will start teething around 6 months old . Your baby is about 6 teeth at 12 months and up to 24 months will have a full set of baby teeth with 20 teeth, 10 in the upper jaw and 10 in the lower jaw. Some babies take up to 15-18 months to teething, depending on the growth rate of each baby.
The American Dental Association recommends that mothers give their babies a dental check-up when they are 1 year old. The dentist will give mom many useful tips about your baby's oral health.
What is the cause of teething fever?
According to theory, when teething, the baby's body temperature increases slightly, and it is used to call it "teething fever".
One of the causes of that condition is inflammation of the gums during teething.
Gingivitis occurs when a baby's gums are swollen and when teeth come out of the gum surface. This pain and fever may last for several days. However, in each child, the time of teething is different. And the fever can repeat every time a new tooth comes in.
It seems that "teething fever" lasts forever. Fortunately, the next teething, the fever should subside. When the baby teeth fill the teeth, the associated fevers are gone.
"Teething fever" is usually a mild fever. If your baby's temperature is over 38 ° C or has diarrhea, he or she is more likely to have another condition that is not related to teething. In this case, the mother should bring the baby to the doctor to get an accurate diagnosis.
Parents should have a thermometer at home to monitor their child's temperature in order to promptly handle the child's temperature rise.
Signs your baby is teething & common symptoms
The severity of symptoms varies from child to child. There are babies who become "difficult" while some other parents do not show any signs when the child grows a new tooth. Some common signs of teething babies include:
- Drooling. Some parents find that their children drool more when teething. Drooling is also normal in early childhood development. This may not be a reliable predictor of teething.
Rashes around the mouth. If your baby drool when teething, drooling can cause a erythema around the chin and mouth.
- Gag reflexes and coughs. Excessive salivation can trigger a cough or gag reflex in a newborn.
- Bite: Some babies seem to notice a decrease in teething pressure when chewing and biting.
- Irritability: Some teething babies feel uncomfortable due to gingivitis. Parents often describe this as "difficult" behavior.
- Gingival bleeding: Occasionally, baby gums bleed because teeth are emerging. The gums may be swollen, turning purple or red. This phenomenon will go away when the teeth erupt.
Common diseases in children have similar signs
Some common childhood illnesses also have symptoms similar to teething fever. So I need to pay attention to not be confused. Some common signs of the disease:
Your child has a runny or stuffy nose
High fever
There is a rash on the body
The child is vomiting or has diarrhea
If you see any of these symptoms or are not sure if your baby is sick, don't hesitate to seek the help of your pediatrician.
How to help your baby relieve the pain of teething?
Give your baby something to chew on. The act of chewing creates antagonistic pressure to help relieve the pain caused by the tooth being pushed upwards. Did you help your baby by giving him something safe to chew on, such as a silicone teething ring? Many teething babies also enjoy chewing on refrigerated items.
Gums massage. You can also relieve your baby's pain by rubbing her fingers or a soft washcloth on her gums.
Avoid toys or tools that are square to sharp edges that can affect your baby's gums.
Do not use pain relievers because they can contain ingredients that are harmful to infants and young children. The amber ring is also not recommended by doctors because its effects have not been verified.
When should I take my child to see a doctor?
Besides, mothers still need to pay attention to oral hygiene for the baby. After feeding or breastfeeding, use a wet washcloth or soft gauze wrapped around the finger to clean the baby's gums. If your baby has a high fever of over 38 degrees, it is better for the mother to take her to the doctor early to avoid complications that may occur. A high fever can lead to seizures, and lack of oxygen in the brain is dangerous.
See other articles
Is slow teething due to lack of Vitamin D?
Teething calendar and dental care for children
Teething calendar and dental care for children