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Chapter 1 Index
A. General Information
about the well child examination B. Nutrition Issues
C. Sleep Issues
D. Dental Issues |
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Teething
Introduction: There is no subject about which mothers and
grandmothers feel more strongly. They know that symptoms are caused by
teething, and there is no amount of rational discussion that will persuade
them otherwise. Since teething is a process that goes on from 6 months to 5
years, it is difficult to know what people mean by the term.
Actual proven symptoms of teething: pain of gums when teeth
are erupting with concomitant increased fussiness. Drooling can increase as
well.
Symptoms that are ascribed to teething:
- Salivation. Salivary glands start functioning about 4 months of age
and drooling starts then. There is no relationship between the beginning
of drooling and eruption of teeth.
- Fever. A number of controlled studies over the last 30 years have
shown no increased fever in children whose teeth are erupting. (Most
recent: December 2000: Pediatrics).
- Diarrhea. Many parents are convinced that diarrhea is caused by
teething. As in fever, gastroenteritis occurs most often after six months
of age, the time of tooth eruption. Of course, this is also the time of
changing foods. There is no cause-effect relationship. Despite this, a
1995 study found that 35% of pediatricians in Florida thought there was a
cause-effect relationship.
- Facial rashes. Drooling itself can cause atopic rashes, and since
drooling does increase at the time of tooth eruption, this rash could be
an indirect effect of teething.
- Susceptibility to infection. No evidence for this being true.
Recommended treatment for teething:
- Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen at the time of tooth eruption to treat
irritability.
- Cold “teething ring” to soothe sore gums. -- Remember cold
panniculitis.
Other treatments frequently used by parents (not recommended by
most doctors):
| Name of “Teething
Treatment” |
Comments |
| Chamomilla |
Patients using
homeopathy will use this a lot; many other homeopathy meds available |
| Viscous Lidocaine |
Seizures have been
reported |
| Teething Powders
(contained mercury) |
Pink disease |
| Paregoric |
Sedation, Intestinal
paralysis, death |
Benzocaine containing
gel
- Orajel/Numbs-it |
Methemoglobinemia
reported |
| Whiskey on pacifier or
just po |
This goes back many
generations; often used |
| Honey on pacifier |
Botulism |
| Sugar on pacifier |
Can be soothing |
| Phenobarbital
containing medications |
Sedation |
Conclusion: Try and minimize dangerous treatments for
teething. Otherwise, it is better to put your efforts elsewhere.
Combinations of mothers/grandmothers/nurses/etc are hard to beat.
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