• Knowledgebase: Information on Specific Illnesses

    Here you will find discussions of specific illnesses and their management.

    16. Q: What may I do for my daughter's teething? - Top

    Q: What may I do for my daughter's teething?

    A: Teething is a normal process that can cause some discumIcrt. It has been blamed for fever, irritability, diarrhea, diaper rashes and runny noses. None of these are truly related to teething, however these problems are frequent in children between the ages of 3 months and 2 years and this is when children are also getting their teeth. As a new tooth erupts through the gums, it can cause pain and this is where we can help the baby. Simple measures are gentle massage of the sore gum with your finger or something cold (cold tends to have a numbing effect). Also, the baby car chew on firm and cold things to do their own massage. Topical pain relievers for teething do give some relief but the babies are generally drooling so much that this relief is short-lived. Pain relievers much as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can give 4 to 6 hours relief particularly with a baby having trouble sleeping. Remember if a baby is very irritable or running fever, this is probably something else and not teething alone.

    - Updated: March 25, 2001

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    • James L Horwitz, MD

    David C. Thomas, MD

    Barbara Lindberg, PNP