Parent’s Guide: Teething

It is scary to hear your child struggle to breathe. This guide will help you distinguish between a simple stuffy nose (which is noisy but safe) and “Respiratory Distress” (which requires medical help).

🔎“Real” Symptoms vs. “False” Symptoms

It is crucial to distinguish between what teething actually causes and what it doesn’t. Blaming high fevers on teething can delay treatment for real infections like earaches or UTIs.

✅ Proven Teething Symptoms:

Drooling: Increased spit, which may cause a rash on the chin/face.
Chewing: The baby wants to gnaw on everything (fingers, toys, crib rails).
Mild Fussiness: The baby may be irritable, but it should not cause severe crying or sleep issues.
Gum Pain: Mild inflammation where the tooth is breaking through.

❌ False Symptoms (Do NOT ignore these):

Fever: Teething does not cause a true fever.
Diarrhea: Teething does not affect the bowels.
Runny Nose: This is usually a sign of a cold.
Severe Crying: If the baby is inconsolable, look for another cause of pain (like an ear infection).

🏠Immediate Home Care (Soothing the Gums)

If your child is fussy from gum pain, simple home remedies work best.

Gum Massage (Best Method):

Use a clean finger to rub the swollen gum for 2-3 minutes. The pressure reduces pain effectively.

Cold (Not Frozen):

Offer a teething ring, pacifier, or wet washcloth that has been chilled in the fridge.

Do not use the freezer (frozen items can cause “frostbite” on the gums or be too hard).

Pain Medicine:

If massage doesn’t work, you can use Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Ibuprofen (Advil, if 6mo+) for 1 to 2 days. Do not use long-term.

Feeding Changes:

If the baby refuses the bottle due to suction pain, try spoon-feeding or using a cup for a short time.

🚨 When to Get Help

Call Doctor Now or Go to ER

The child looks or acts very sick.
The child is crying excessively or cannot be soothed.

Contact in 24hrs

Fever: Your child has a fever (since teething doesn’t cause this).
You are unsure if the symptoms are teething or an illness.

⚠️Safety Warnings: What NOT to use

Many “traditional” remedies are now considered dangerous by the FDA.

🚫 No Teething Gels: Avoid gels containing Benzocaine. They are not approved by the FDA for children and can cause serious blood oxygen problems (turning skin blue) or choking.
🚫 No Teething Necklaces: Amber or wood necklaces pose a high risk of strangulation and choking. They are not medically proven to help.
🚫 No Hard Foods: Do not give raw carrots or frozen foods to chew on, as they are choking hazards.

🕑Timing

Timeline: Teething discomfort is temporary. Once the tooth breaks through, the pain usually resolves within 2 to 3 days.

Teeth eruption: Infants typically get their first tooth between 6-9 months. Toddlers typically get their molars between 13 -19 months. A child will have a total of 20 teeth by age 3.