While your baby’s first tooth coming in can be exciting, teething and its associated symptoms can often be a source of stress for parents. The symptoms children can exhibit with teething can vary significantly, but there are some common themes that apply to most children. Here are some tips to think about when your child is teething.

Normal tooth development

Baby teeth usually start to come in between 6 and 10 months of age. The first teeth to appear are the lower front teeth, known as incisors. If your baby shows teething signs but you don’t see or feel these teeth coming in, it may just be part of their normal development.

Especially in the early months, determining if your infant’s symptoms are caused by teething can be tricky. When babies reach 4 months, they naturally explore their world by putting things in their mouths and chewing on them. This can lead to more drooling, which can often look like a sign of teething.

By 30 months, the last teeth, the second set of molars, will appear. It’s normal for babies to get their teeth at different times, so if your baby’s teeth don’t come in when you expect, it’s usually not a problem.

Symptoms of teething

Teething symptoms can vary from child to child. Some common signs include a slight increase in temperature, drooling, increased chewing on objects or hands, and increased fussiness. However, these symptoms don’t always indicate teething.

It can be challenging to tell which symptoms are from teething since many children have frequent viral illnesses at this age. This is especially true for children in daycare, who often go from one illness to the next. When teething, young children will often pull at their ears. Pinpointing their area of discomfort can be a challenge at that age, so it can be tough to know if they’re teething, having pain somewhere else, or simply pulling on their ears for fun.

How to ease teething discomfort

There are several ways to help your child feel better during teething.

• Over-the-counter medicines like acetaminophen and ibuprofen can be helpful, especially if teething is making it hard for your child to sleep.
• Teething rings or chewable toys can help. Cooling them in the refrigerator can help soothe your child’s gums.

Avoid using numbing gels. There is no evidence that they improve symptoms, and some, especially those containing benzocaine, can be dangerous for children.

When to seek help

Although teething can cause a slight increase in temperature, it shouldn’t cause a high fever. If your child has a temperature of 100.4 or higher, this could be a sign that something else is going on, instead of or in addition to teething.

Telling the difference between teething and ear infections without checking your child’s ears is difficult. If your child is prone to getting ear infections, it’s a good idea to have them seen by your pediatrician.

As always, your pediatrician is your best source for reliable information. If you have concerns about excessive fussiness or if pain relievers don’t help, don’t hesitate to contact your child’s primary care provider.