Teething is an unpleasant part of babyhood and one that is also surrounded by a number of myths. Below are three common myths associated with teething and the truths behind them.
1. My Child's Only 3 Months, It's Too Early for Them to Teethe
While the average age that teething begins is 6 months, teething can start as early as 3 months of age.
Infants develop at different speeds, and dental development is just one more way in which children vary among themselves. If your child has begun to show signs of fussiness, it could be any number of things, but if other common teething symptoms are present, such as excess drooling and constant hand chewing, it's possible that your infant has begun, even if you think they're too young.
2. Something's Wrong With My Child Because They Still Don't Have Teeth at 12 Months
It's important to remember that the ages you read about and that are given to you by your child's pediatrician are simply averages. This means that children fall on either side of the number. Some children will develop earlier, some on time, and some still will develop later.
If your child is 12 months old and still has no signs of teeth, you have no reason to be alarmed. If your child is happy, healthy, and otherwise developing alongside their peers, later-than-average dental development isn't an indication of a health issue. Even without teeth, however, it's still important that you're using a wash cloth to gently cleanse their gums and that your child has their first dental visit scheduled by the age of one.
3. It's Normal for My Teething Baby to Run a Fever
While an increase in temperature has been associated with teething, it's important to keep an eye on any temperature increase and be sure to see a doctor if it gets to be over 102 degrees F.
A study performed in 2000 found that runny stools, fevers of 102 degreesF and greater, and other unpleasant symptoms usually linked to teething were more likely associated with an unrelated illness. If your child is experiencing any of the above symptoms, it's better to be safe and consult with your child's pediatrician, even if you suspect that your infant is currently teething. While teething can be unpleasant for your child, a sudden spike in temperature is not normal and should be treated as an unrelated phenomena.
To learn more about teething, consult with your child's pediatrician and pediatric dentist.
My name is Shawna Banks and this is a blog that focuses on health issues that affect women. I became interested in women's health when my sister began having medical problems. After her condition worsened, she went to see a doctor. After her diagnosis and successful treatment, I helped her research the different kinds of health conditions that are common in women. By becoming knowledgeable about these types of problems, we can keep ourselves healthier. I hope that when you read this blog, it will help you to identify symptoms that shouldn't be ignored. If necessary, you can schedule an appointment with your physician as soon as possible.