From the age of six to nine months, a baby starts teething when the first milk teeth push through the gums. All complaints that occur in connection with this development are referred to as teething problems or teething problems, regardless of their severity.
What are teething problems in babies and toddlers?
All complaints in connection with the eruption of the teeth are summarized under the term teething problems and can be considered normal. For meanings of hepatorenal syndrome, please visit polyhobbies.com.
If teething does not occur in the normal time frame, starting in the sixth to ninth month of life, the teeth will not erupt in the usual pattern. After first the incisors, then the molars and later the canines, or if the deciduous teeth are not fully developed at the age of three, there is a teething problem that is not uncommon and initially not a cause for concern. One speaks of delayed or premature teething.
More complicated and painful are erupting cysts over the coming teeth, teething ulcers and what is known as dentitio difficilis, where the gums around the tip of the erupting tooth become inflamed and can fester.
Causes
Basically, it can be said that the cause of teething problems can be found in the mouth: teeth come out of the jaw and break through the oral mucosa, which can lead to pain and teething-typical, mostly uncomplicated symptoms.
Premature or late teething can be traced back to hereditary causes or the length of pregnancy. Since the hard tooth substance is still formed in the womb and its development takes a certain period of time, premature births often lead to late teething. Erupting cysts are accumulations of fluid on the tooth sac surrounding each milk tooth, the cause of which is unknown.
Dentists suspect an allergic cause as the trigger for the erupting tooth ulcers. These occur after the eruption of the lower central incisors on the frenum of the tongue and the floor of the mouth of the oral mucosa.
Symptoms, Ailments & Signs
Teething problems can show up both through changes in the behavior of the affected children and through physical signs. Many children whose teeth shoot in are very tearful. Even if they are not yet able to verbally express this clearly, they seem to have diffuse pain.
It is also not uncommon for children to point to their stomach when asked about the location of the pain. Children are often very clingy during this time and very restless, especially at night, and want to be carried and rocked. The pain caused by teeth breaking in the jaw seems to be worse for many when lying down.
For some, appetite is reduced and soft foods are intuitively preferred. It is striking that teething problems are often accompanied by red, hot cheeks. Some children also develop a fever during teething . However, there is no medically plausible reason for fever associated with teeth shooting.
If the fever lasts longer, is very high and occurs without any other recognizable infection, the pediatrician should always be consulted. Signs in the oral cavity itself are often red, soft gums in the affected areas. Salivation can also increase during teething, which in turn attacks the skin.
Diagnosis & History
Since teething problems occur in children aged six to nine months, who can only show their symptoms by screaming and crying, it is difficult for parents to recognize teething problems that require treatment.
If a teething child cries an unusual amount, the parents should speak to their pediatrician or dentist. He will examine your mouth and jaw and, if necessary, take an X-ray to find out the cause of the teething problems.
Unfortunately, little can be said about the course of teething problems, as they occur differently from person to person. Some children only have minor teething problems, others suffer from severe symptoms. In any case, the teething problems should be over by the age of three. Now a first visit to the dentist is necessary to ensure the health of the teeth.
Complications
Teething problems can occur in different degrees of severity, so that the associated complications are also very diverse. The most common teething problems are also caused by tooth decay. Tooth decay is caused by bacteria and poor oral hygiene. In this connection, severe headaches are possible, as well as severe inflammation and pus formation.
Anyone who refrains from treatment at this point must expect a significant deterioration in their general condition. If there is an open wound in the mouth, this can also lead to significant tooth problems. Because toothache is usually caused by poor oral hygiene, there can also be complications associated with an open wound.
The existing wound can become inflamed and swelling develops. Bleeding gums can also be a complication that can arise. If medical and drug treatment is completely dispensed with at this point, a timely improvement cannot be expected. Individual symptoms will actually get worse, making a visit to the doctor essential.
When should you go to the doctor?
Most teething problems are not a reason to see a doctor. Although the various ailments cause discomfort to the child, they are more likely to be seen as a process of child development. If the child cries occasionally or tries to relieve the pain and itching by biting hard objects, there is no reason to see a doctor. The same applies to the increased salivation or increased irritability at this time.
A doctor should only be consulted if the symptoms are long-lasting and lead to severe rashes, prolonged loss of appetite or permanent pain. The suspicion then arises that the teething problems are not the reason, but that there is an infectious disease. If in doubt, this should be clarified by a doctor, since the symptoms of teething problems are similar to those of various diseases.
If symptoms such as fever or diarrhea also occur, these can usually no longer be explained by the teeth. Here, too, only a medical assessment can help, and the child ‘s pediatrician should be consulted.
If the pain is severe, for example due to gum infections or other irritations in the mouth, a doctor can also be consulted. For example, pain-relieving measures can be found out.
Treatment & Therapy
Parents cannot take the pain away from their child, but they can alleviate the symptoms. Herbal tinctures, especially camomile, relieve the pain and chilled teething rings weaken the chewing pressure that builds up and alleviate some of the pain by cooling.
Perforated cysts usually do not require treatment because they usually drain spontaneously on their own and heal quickly. If teething problems persist and severe pain is suspected, medical advice should be sought to enable the child to receive adequate therapy.
The doctor can have little influence on delayed or premature teething. If there is a danger to the child or mother when a tooth breaks through shortly after birth, the removal of the tooth must be considered and usually proceeds without complications. If not all milk teeth have erupted by kindergarten age, the dentist must use an X-ray to examine whether the permanent teeth have formed and decide how this problem can be treated if necessary.
Inflammation of the gums or ulcers are assessed by the dentist in terms of their severity and treated accordingly. The surgical opening of the ulcer can be useful to allow the pus to drain. This therapy is usually supported with the administration of antibiotics.
Prevention
Unfortunately, teething problems cannot be prevented because there are currently no preventive measures. Parents can only try to intervene with soothing measures in the event of severe symptoms. It is advisable to keep teething rings and chamomile tinctures ready from an appropriate age so that you are not helplessly surprised by seemingly sudden symptoms.
Aftercare
Affected people with teething problems usually only have very limited options for direct aftercare. Therefore, a doctor should be consulted as early as possible with this disease, so that other complications or symptoms do not occur in the further course.
In many cases, the symptoms themselves can be alleviated relatively well with the help of medicines and homeopathic remedies. However, it is always important to ensure that it is taken regularly and that the correct dosage is used. If you have any side effects or questions, you should always consult a doctor first. The child’s teeth should also be checked and examined regularly so that there are no further problems.
When taking antibiotics, it should be noted that they must not be taken together with alcohol. Further aftercare measures are usually no longer necessary. The life expectancy of those affected is not reduced or otherwise restricted by the teething problems. There are no other complications either.
You can do that yourself
Teething problems can be relieved with a few self-help measures and effective home remedies.
Painkilling gels or ointments from the pharmacy help when teething. In consultation with the pediatrician, natural remedies can be tried. Violet roots as well as chamomile and sage teas have proven themselves. If necessary, globules such as Calcium carbonicum or Chamomilla can also help. The jaw and palate can be cooled with a cold spoon or teething ring that has been placed in the refrigerator for a few minutes. A cool washcloth or cool fruit can also be used to relieve the pain. The tips of the baby’s toes can also be massaged because there are nerves there that are directly connected to the teeth.
The offspring should be carefully observed so that they do not choke on the teething toys. Some babies experience abdominal pain or diarrhea during teething. These symptoms can be alleviated by well-known home remedies such as rusks or soothing teas. A gentle abdominal massage relieves stomach pain and improves well-being. Sore spots around the mouth are treated with a pain-relieving cream.
If symptoms persist, it is advisable to talk to your pediatrician. Parents should allow themselves enough rest periods, as the child’s teething problems can be associated with a lot of stress.
