The Art of Cure Truth About Teething: Busting the Myths

When I became a parent it was so terrifying. I wanted a happy healthy baby and I also wanted tool in my toolbelt to help my sons along. With all the joy that it brings, it is coupled with a lot of problem solving that will bring frustration and strife. When the child is crying unceasingly and you are unable to offer it resolve, you want to take away its grief and have it as your own. Parents want to take all the pain away, but as it is impossibility, finding solutions should be your first priority. For any parenting problem, you have to know how to deal with it, because it is your responsibility. 

Myths and theories pepper the world of parenting. The moment you find out you are pregnant, you will suddenly develop paranoia, even if it wasn’t your character before. The baby inside you, calls for you to be extra careful, so you become wary of all warnings. In the case of teething, you are quick to believe everything you hear and read, but be mindful of the following myths:

• Fever and Teething. 

  Here are some symptoms that have been found to be statistically associated with teething:

  • Mild temperature increase
  • Sleep disturbance
  • Salivation
  • Rash
  • Runny nose
  • Appetite loss
  • Irritability

  You’re thinking, “See, I told you it does cause fever!”

  Not so fast.

  First of all, the temperature increase was noted to be 0.12 degrees Fahrenheit on the day that the tooth erupted. I’ll leave it up to you to decide if you think having a temperature of 98.6 vs. 98.72 actually makes a difference…

  Second, the increase in temperature and the rest of the symptoms associated were found to be present on the day the tooth came and the day after. This was not a 2 week (or 2 month) process leading up to the teeth popping through.

  The issue is that all kids teeth. In addition, all kids have occasional sleep disturbances, drool and have runny noses. Trying to determine if the teething causes these symptoms in a particular child is pretty difficult.

• Teething Myth No. 2 - It’s too early for them to cut teeth.

  The average age for the bottom middle teeth to come out is 4-6 months, but some children teeth before or after.

  Some children are born with teeth, called natal teeth. If the teeth are stable in the mouth, nothing needs to be done. There may need to be some extra special care with breastfeeding moms to make sure their latch is not painful, especially during those early feeding days. If the teeth are wiggly, sometimes the pediatrician will pull it or recommend that you see a pediatric dentist to have it pulled.

  Teeth can otherwise erupt any time after birth. But remember that the “symptoms of teething” that occur for two months before a tooth erupts are not likely due to teething at all.

• Teething Myth No. 3 - They are too old to not have any teeth.

  “He still doesn’t have any teeth.” I get this comment all the way from 6 months to 1 year. The right answer, “That’s OK.”

  It is exceedingly rare for children to not have any teeth or to have teeth, but for them to never come out. A handful of babies don’t have teeth at their one year check-up but, I promise, they’re coming.

• Teething and Diaper Rash. This may be closely linked to the myth that teething causes diarrhea. It does not, at least not directly. Teething can never cause it but it causes excessive drooling and as more drool or saliva is taken into than usual, it may cause diarrhea. Another reason for diarrhea may be any change in diet because of teething (and the discomfort related to the phenomenon). Due to diarrhea, you can expect for some diaper rash to develop, or it may totally be something else.

 Keeping a watchful eye on things is good to some extent. Believing warnings and taking on extra precaution is helpful, but before you do anything, pause to investigate on the truth. Do not be afraid to ask questions, especially to your doctor or homeopath @ www.theartofcure.net. It is better to be sure than to live believing what is not true. Got questions? 8186945199