What is teething?
Teething is a process of tooth eruption in infancy and early childhood. It is commonly associated with discomfort and pain.
When do we know the child may be teething?
Teething may cause :
- excessive salivation
- disturbed eating and sleeping patterns
- desire to chew
- extreme irritability
- slight increase in body temperature
Teething is never the cause of more severe disturbances such as high fever and diarrhoea. If the child appears to be very ill, the parent should bring him to see a paediatrician immediately.
What can you do to relieve the symptoms?
Give hard and safe objects for the child to bite on such as water-filled teething ring. You may also rub some teething gel over the affected gums.
Caution
Be careful of teething gel as the child may swallow with excessive use.
Sequence of eruption
The following is a general guide for eruption dates of milk teeth.
Upper central incisor
Upper lateral incisor
Upper canine
Upper first molar
Upper first molar
| Teeth | Eruption date (months) |
|---|---|
| Incisors | 6 – 9 |
| First molars | 12 – 15 |
| Canines | 18 – 20 |
| Second molars | 24 – 36 |
| Last reviewed | : | 20 April 2012 |
| Writer | : | Dr. Che Noor Aini bt. Che Omar |
| Accreditor | : | Dr. Chew Yoke Yuen |
| Reviewer | : | Dr. Laila bt. Abdul Jalil |
