Teething fact or fallacy
17 May 2012

Teething - fact or fallacy?

3 mins to read
Although occasionally children can be born with a tooth, the developmental milestone known as ‘teething’ generally starts anytime from three months old up to one year of age. Tanya Ryan-Segger


First teeth
The first teeth to appear in children are generally the bottom middle two - known as central incisors, followed by the top two central incisors. Teeth can appear in various sequences, but usually by about age three, a complete set of twenty milk or first teeth has arrived.

Possible symptoms
Sometimes before teeth are visible, bleeding under the skin can occur, giving the appearance of a blood blister known as an eruption cyst. However, often there are few obvious physical signs before a tooth sprouts up. Professional opinion is divided on whether teething causes a range of symptoms such as flushed cheeks, dribbling, nappy rash, poor sleep patterns, loose stools and even fever. Also specialist paediatricians are the least likely to ascribe symptoms to teething.

In her well-read baby care book, Baby Love, Robin Barker takes the somewhat controversial stance that teething causes nothing but teeth by saying:

“The emergence of teeth during the baby years is surrounded by intense fascination, even obsession, which has lead to a lot of myths about growing teeth.

“The term ‘teething’ implies a medical condition and teething is often used as a diagnosis by health professionals for baby behaviour or to account for a whole range of minor illnesses that are common for all babies and toddlers in the first two years.

“I can understand the community at large doing this but I think it’s time health professionals and writers of baby information stopped perpetuating teething myths.”

GlaxoSmithKline, the company that makes Children’s Panadol, agrees that “generally teething does not cause a fever.”

Yet, many parents feel that a child’s health can, and does, suffer due to the onset of teeth. So, perhaps the best defense is to treat health concerns appropriately and if ailments persist, even innocuous symptoms like irritability, make sure a doctor or qualified health professional is consulted.

Teething treatments
There are a wide range of treatments designed to help alleviate symptoms associated with teething, each with benefits and potential risk factors to consider including:

Teething gels – there are many over-the-counter teething gels on the market today. Although this type of treatment is readily accessible and has been around for decades, ingredients used in select products have been the cause of recent concerns. The authors of a paper published last year in the Medical Journal of Australia warn overuse of teething gels containing choline salicylate may have a toxic effect in young children.

Teething rings –rings or teething toys are commonly made from rubber, silicone, latex and plastic. Some products designed for teething can be filled with water and stored in the fridge. The cool temperature is believed to be soothing for the gums when chewed or sucked. Parents should always check that any oral device used by babies meets local safety standards before purchasing it. As recently as last year, a ban on such products containing more than 1% diethylhexyl phthalate, found in some plastics, was put in place in Australia due to potential toxicity risks.

Amber teething necklaces – adornments, usually necklaces or bracelets made of amber to treat the pain and discomfort, believed to be associated with teething, are increasing in popularity. The manufacturers of such products claim the warmth of a baby’s skin releases small amounts of salicylic acid from the amber. Although touted as a natural solution, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission [ACCC] has issued a public warning that such products present potential choking and strangulation risks in children less than three years of age.

Common teething medications – child formulated medications containing paracetomol and ibuprofen are widely used for ailments such as pain and inflammation that may be symptomatic of teething. Although such medications are thought to be safe if used occasionally and as prescribed, overuse should be avoided.

Other toothy facts:

  • Making sure children are getting enough calcium is important for the development of strong teeth
  • Don’t let children suck on bottles, or go to sleep on the breast – it could cause tooth decay
  • Never dip dummies in sweet things as it may lead to tooth decay
  • Get kids into the habit of brushing their teeth as early as possible. Experts generally recommend children brush daily by two years of age
  • Infants are naturally curious and teeth grinding can be explained as a baby’s way of exploring the changes going on inside their mouth, but if your bub’s gnashing fails to relent, seek medical advice

References available upon request

 



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