Teething is an exciting milestone. It can also be a stressful time for your baby, and for you. You may wonder whether your baby's discomfort comes from his teething, or from an illness. Fortunately, there are some specific signs to watch for that can help you evaluate your child's needs.
Teething Process
According to ABC Pediatrics member Joe Matusic, MD, teething follows a set pattern in infants. The front two bottom teeth always appear first, followed by the upper front four, then one top and bottom molar on each side. Your baby's first tooth will likely make an appearance when he is between 5 months and 8 months old, although it may show up as early as 3 months, or as late as 10 months.
Teething Symptoms
The arrival of your baby's first teeth may bring some unpleasant side effects. One of these is ear pain. Ear pain in teething happens when pain caused by an emerging tooth travels through nerves up the jaw and into the ear. In addition to this pain, your baby may fuss and drool far more than usual. She may also run a low-grade fever, and her bowel movements may be slightly loose.
Identification
Ear pain and other teething symptoms are most commonly confused with ear infections. However, there are notable differences. According to Dr. Matusic, ear infections are rare in infants under 6 months of age. During teething, pain comes and goes. In an ear infection, pain stays constant and increases in intensity over several days. In addition, because of fluid buildup in the ear, ear infections sometimes cause temporary hearing loss, while teething doesn't. Ninety-five percent of ear infections develop after a few days of a cold, and are often accompanied by nasal congestion and production of thick yellow discharge. The discharge produced from teething comes from your baby's mouth, and is clear saliva.
Treatment
If your baby is teething and has related gum and ear pain, there are several ways to ease her discomfort. Dr. Matusic notes that appropriate doses of ibuprofen can both relieve gum swelling and diminish pain. Consult your doctor to find out an appropriate dosage. Allowing your baby to chew cold objects or applying topical ointments such as Oragel can relieve gum pain at the source.
Only your pediatrician can conclusively diagnose an ear infection. According to Dr. Matusic, 60 percent of ear infections heal on their own. However, untreated ear infections can lead to complications. If your pediatrician feels your baby's infection warrants treatment, she will usually prescribe a course of antibiotics. She may also recommend an appropriate over-the-counter pain reliever.
Caution
AskDr.Sears.com, the official website of William Sears, MD and Martha Sears, RN., offers warnings about common teething remedies. First, never give your baby an item to teethe on that could break into pieces and cause him to choke. Also, never rub brandy on your baby's gums, as even small amounts of alcohol can be dangerous to his health. Remember that your observations and intuition are important, but shouldn't be relied on alone. If your child seems to be ill or in pain, call or visit your pediatrician.
