Babies are born with a full set of 20 primary teeth (10 in the upper jaw, 10 in the lower jaw) hiding under the gums. These Primary teeth are also known as baby teeth. These teeth will usually break out over the next 2-3 years of their life. Between the ages of about 5 and 7 years, the primary teeth start to shed to give room for  permanent teeth  to come through. This eruption process is known as Teething.

Discomfort from teething can start a few days before the tooth breaks through and continue till a few days after. The not so great news is that your baby will go through this process 20 times! Generally, the average child has their full set of 20 primary teeth by the age of 3 years.

This article will cover teething symptoms, popular myths believed to be teething symptoms and simple things to do at home to relieve teething pain and discomfort.

Teething can begin as early as 3 months in some babies. However, you’ll most likely see the first tooth erupt between 4-7 months of age. In some rare cases, babies are born with visible tooth/teeth or have the first tooth break through the gums in the early weeks of life. While this is possible, it’s not a common occurrence. The first two teeth your baby will most likely have will be the center bottom.

Teething Signs

While some babies don’t show any teething signs and it feels like the tooth appeared overnight, most babies usually do if you know the signs to look out for.

1. Eruption Cyst: This is a small , harmless, fluid-filled bubble that appears on the gum (in some babies) when teething. It usually disappears once the tooth erupts.
2. Gum pain/Itchy Gum: You may notice your baby constantly trying to rub the gums, put toys in his mouth or fist in mouth to soothe the gum pain. This is a typical teething sign because it’s very easy to spot.
3. Fussiness: With teething comes irritability, crankiness or fussiness. Teething can be uncomfortable and borderline painful for babies and can be very unsettling for them.
4. Change in Appetite: A baby with sore gums will avoid chewing and may refuse any food that requires stressing their gums. They may prefer fluid like meals and purees. Hard food will cause more pressure and discomfort to their gums.
5. Change in sleep pattern: What effect does teething have on sleep. While teething doesn’t affect how some babies sleep, the discomfort that comes with it affects others making their sleep and naps shorter than usual. 
6. Constant Chewing on Things: From toys, pacifiers, teethers and even your nipples, your baby might try to chew on everything to soothe the itchy gums.
7. Increased Drooling: Drooling in babies can start as early as 8_12 weeks. However, this isn’t a sign of teething. It’s just a sign that your baby is now producing saliva. Increased drooling can be a sign of teething though which is as a result of chewing on things.
8. Drool Rash: With increased drooling  of saliva comes drool or dribble rash. Drool rash is a common irritation found around the mouth, chin, and cheeks of babies and toddlers as a result of excess secretion of saliva. To avoid drool rash, keep a soft burp cloth nearby at all times to gently wipe away any drool. The most effective treatment for drool rash is to keep your baby’s skin clean and dry. Wipe your baby’s face and neck folds on a regular basis, especially after feedings. To avoid irritating your baby’s skin, apply gentle pressure in a dabbing motion.

Teething doesn’t cause fever or diarrhea.

If your baby is experiencing any of these two symptoms, it’s not as a result of teething itself. It can be as a result of your baby putting dirty items in their mouth due to the itchy gums, but not teething in itself. It can also be caused by an infection so ensure to check with your baby’s doctor.

How to relieve Teething Pain and Discomfort in Babies

1. Gum Massage:

Sore gums can be itchy and uncomfortable, a gentle gum massage. Putting pressure on sore gums during massage can help alleviate the pain and discomfort.  Clean your finger and gently rub the gums. Do this multiple times a day, especially when your baby becomes cranky.

2. Offer Pacifiers and Teethers:

Smooth and hard toys and objects can have the same soothing effect your finger will have on the swollen gums. If your baby isn’t comfortable with your finger in his mouth, offer a teething toy. Extra comfort can be from chilling the toy in the fridge before offering it to the baby. No, it won’t give your baby flu. Rather, it will relieve the discomfort.

3. Cold Washcloth:

Wet a clean washcloth with clean water and put in the fridge to get it cold before offering it to your baby. Don’t freeze it to avoid freezer burn or frostbite (Frostbite is an injury caused by freezing of the skin and underlying tissues when they put it in their mouth. It just needs to be cold to have the desired effect. Roll up the wash cloth into a thin long one, wet one side of it and put in the fridge or knot one side of it and put into cold water. This is the side your baby will put in his mouth while he can easily hold the other side.

4. Teething Biscuits

Only offer teething biscuits if your baby is eating solids already. There are several teething biscuit recipes you can try.

If the teething pain and discomfort totally affects your baby’s sleep and appetite, then you can consider medication. No, not teething powder. Talk to your baby’s doctor for options you can explore.

Things No Longer Recommended for Teething Babies

1. Teething Powder and Gels (Drug abuse and misuse as it wears out very fast, could also cause serious side effects such as seizures, difficulty breathing, lethargy, excessive sleepiness, muscle weakness, skin flushing, constipation, difficulty urinating, or agitation)

2. Teething Necklace (it can lead to strangulation or even choking if the necklace breaks in the baby’s mouth and gets swallowed).