Teething in babies can cause symptoms such as irritability, excessive salivation and red gums, and usually occurs around 6 months of age, which is when the first teeth usually begin to emerge.
Generally, the symptoms are mild, not requiring any specific treatment, and to help alleviate the discomfort that may occur, you can massage the gums and give the baby teethers.
However, during the period when the baby’s first teeth are born, it is important to consult a pediatrician if symptoms such as fever or diarrhea occur, because they are not always caused by the teeth and identifying the cause is important to initiate appropriate treatment.
Main symptoms
The main symptoms of the emergence of the first teeth are:
- Agitation and irritability during the day;
- Excess saliva;
- Swollen and red gums;
- Desire to chew every object you find;
- Sucking your fingers;
- Rub the gums;
- Difficulty eating;
- Lack of appetite;
- Difficulty sleeping;
- Increase in body temperature.
However, although other symptoms such as diarrhea, runny nose, red spots on the face or fever may also occur during this period, if they do, it is important to consult a pediatrician for an evaluation because they may indicate illnesses such as colds or gastroenteritis. Know when your baby has a fever and what it could indicate.
When do the first teeth come in?
Baby teeth usually begin to emerge between 6 and 8 months of age and the lower central incisors are usually the first. However, the birth order of teeth can be affected by genetic changes and, in some cases, by the presence of teeth at the baby’s birth. See more details about the birth of the baby’s first teeth.
What to do when your first teeth emerge
The birth of the first teeth is part of the baby’s normal development and the symptoms that may occur during this period are generally mild and do not require any specific treatment.
Therefore, in case of discomfort or irritability, measures such as massaging the gums with your fingertips and giving toys or foods that the baby can bite, such as teethers and carrot sticks, as long as they are properly sanitized, may be recommended. See other measures to alleviate the discomfort of the birth of your first teeth.
Furthermore, if the baby’s chin becomes red and irritated due to drooling, the application of the cream used for diaper rash may be recommended by the pediatrician. However, if symptoms such as fever or diarrhea occur, it is important to consult a pediatrician for an evaluation, as the use of medications such as antipyretics and antibiotics may be necessary.
How to care for your first teeth
As soon as the first teeth begin to emerge, brushing them with a toothpaste containing fluoride suitable for use in children is generally recommended, as it has enough fluoride to ensure the health of the teeth.
Furthermore, it is important to use a soft brush, brushing your teeth with light movements to avoid damaging the gums. Check out more details on how to brush your baby’s teeth.
Bibliography
- BURNS, Dennis A. R. et al. Textbook of Pediatrics of the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics . 4th ed. Barueri, SP: Editora Manole, 2017. 2327-2335.
- MASSIGNAN, Carla et al. Signs and Symptoms of Primary Tooth Eruption: A Meta-analysis. Pediatrics. Vol.137, n.3. 2015-3501, 2016
