Most babies begin getting teeth by the time they are 6 months old, with a variety of accompanying symptoms, according to Mayo Clinic's website. The first teeth to appear are usually two on the front of the bottom gums, with the two front teeth on the top gums coming next. Drooling and other common teething signs can happen for other reasons, Drooling may not mean your baby is getting teeth yet.
Symptoms
Drool is a common teething symptom, with excess saliva visibly dripping out of the baby's mouth. A teething baby may also act cranky, have swollen gums and chew on toys or other objects. Other symptoms include loss of appetite and sleeping problems. Babies can drool, get irritable, stay awake for long periods and stop eating for other reasons, so these signs do not definitely mean the child is teething. Diarrhea and fever are anecdotally linked to teething, but Mayo Clinic advises that they are not linked because tooth eruption only causes effects in the mouth, not the rest of the body.
Other Causes
Babies drool naturally, as well as when they are teething; excess saliva is also linked to digestion. Dr. Ari Brown, co-writer of the book, "Baby 411," advises that babies drool because of enzymes produced by their bodies as they start to eat and digest solid foods. This drooling is natural and harmless. Look for other teething signs, like bulging areas on the gums where new teeth are ready to erupt, to differentiate between drooling linked to teething or to other causes. Talk to your baby's doctor if you are worried or the drooling is linked to other symptoms.
Effects
Excessive drool from teething and other causes sometimes results in a rash, according to Dr. Bill Sears of AskDrSears.com. This skin problem appears as a raised, red rash usually located on the baby's chin, lips, neck and chest. Wash the affected areas in warm water, pat them dry with a soft towel, and apply lanolin ointment. Minimize rashes from drooling by wiping your baby's face frequently and placing a clean cloth under the child's head at sleeping times; this prevents moisture from soaking in the sheets.
Treatment
Drooling caused by teething is treated by alleviating the baby's discomfort. Give the baby a chilled teething ring or wipe down the gums with a washcloth soaked in cold water. Give youngsters who eat solid foods soothing items like chilled applesauce or yogurt. Appropriate medications include ibuprofen or acetaminophen; over-the-counter numbing gels for teething babies are readily available in stores.
