Teething is an unexpectedly controversial topic. The degree of physical pain and symptoms attributed to teething has varied considerably over the last century. In Victorian times it was thought to be the leading cause of infant mortality. New teeth are no longer seen as a cause of severe illness, but paediatricians still disagree on whether teething causes symptoms like fever and diarrhoea, or if they just sometimes occur at the same time. Symptoms that are caused by teething include drooling, gum swelling, biting and fussiness. First teeth can emerge at anywhere from 3 to 12 months, with the final teeth coming in as late as 3 years. Paediatricians say that while timing may vary, teething always follows the same pattern; the first teeth to come in are the four front teeth, followed by side teeth, then molars, and eyeteeth last. Rubber teething rings, clean wet towels, or other gnawable child-safe items can help with teething pain and irritation. Some experts also recommend gum massage.
BabyCenter Australia®
“Developemental Milestones: Teething”
"Cutting teeth isn’t one of those milestones a baby reaches all at once. The move from that gummy grin to a mouthful of gleaming teeth is a rite of passage that can take your child his first three years to complete. " …read the full article
Today’s Parent.com
“Toddler Teething”
"When Mitchell Gendron got his first tooth at five months, his mother hardly noticed. ‘He just drooled a little,’ she remembers, ‘and the next thing I knew, he had four teeth.’ The first four teeth (two top, two bottom) usually arrive somewhere between six and 13 months. But Mitchell is 15 months old now and the teething isn’t over. ‘In fact, it’s much worse now.’" …read the full article
Ask Dr. Sears
“Teething Tips”
"When teeth first appear is as unexpected as the timing of baby’s first steps, but in general, expect the first sharp nubbin around six months; some babies teethe earlier, some later. Heredity plays a part. If you check your own baby book, if grandmother was a tooth-record keeper, your baby’s teething schedule may resemble yours." …read the full article
Dr. Greene
“Teething”
"No topic has gone through wider swings in medical opinion than teething. A little more than a century ago, teething was considered the leading cause of infant death. Most of the serious symptoms of that age group (including seizures and infantile paralysis) were blamed on teething. At the turn of the 21st century, the prevailing opinion has swung in the opposite direction, maintaining that teething probably does not produce any symptoms at all — even pain, crying, or problems sleeping." …read the full article
Children Youth And Women’s Health
“Teething: Development And Teething”
"Teeth are some of your children’s most important possessions. How you look after their teeth from the time they are babies will make a difference to how they grow and how healthy they are. This means not only how you clean them but also how you protect tham from things that can harm teeth. Tooth decay is preventable." …read the full article
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Australian Dental Association
“Tooth Development In Babies And Toddlers”
