teeth
Teething:
myths vs facts
Teething can be uncomfortable, but it’ s often misunderstood. Many symptoms parents blame on teething actually have other causes. Let’ s clear up some common myths and look at what teething really does and doesn’ t cause.
By BabyWombWorld
any of the things we’ ve been told about teething aren’ t actually true. While teething can be tough on babies( and parents), it’ s important to separate fact from fiction. Here’ s what teething really does, and doesn’ t, cause.
Teething causes high fever
Truth: As caregivers, we all know how teething can turn our usually happy little ones into grumpy, clingy bundles of emotion. It’ s completely normal for them to feel uncomfortable – those tiny gums can get sore, and you might even notice a slight rise in their temperature.
But it’ s helpful to remember that teething doesn’ t cause a true fever. If your child’ s temperature goes above 38 ° C, it’ s far more likely to be linked to an infection or another illness rather than the teething itself. Research consistently shows that while teething can be uncomfortable, it isn’ t responsible for high fevers or serious illness.
Teething causes blowouts
Truth: Many parents believe this, but studies show no clear link between teething and diarrhoea. Around the typical teething age( 4 – 12 months), babies start exploring and putting dirty hands or objects in their mouths, increasing the chance of infections that can cause diarrhoea.
Teething lasts for months, non-stop
Truth: Teething doesn’ t cause constant misery for weeks or months on end. Research shows that symptoms are usually mild and short-lived, often peaking in the few days before and after a tooth actually breaks through the gum.
Usually a baby has a few fussy days, settles down, and then a few weeks later another tooth starts moving and the cycle repeats. Because teeth come in waves, it can feel like one long teething season, but it’ s usually on-and-off discomfort rather than continuous pain.
Teething causes systemic illnesses like vomiting, cough, or ear infection.
Truth: There’ s no reliable evidence that teething causes serious systemic symptoms. If your child has prolonged vomiting, ear pain, difficulty breathing, or other significant symptoms, those are signs of something other than teething, and you should seek medical care.
Babies can’ t have teeth before six months
Truth: While most babies do start around six months, it’ s totally normal for teeth to come as early as about four months, and some even have natal teeth at birth. Timing is very individual. �
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