When will my toddler get all of his teeth?
Teething patterns vary greatly from child to child — some don't have any teeth at their first birthday, while others are sporting a mouthful by then. The vast majority of babies sprout their first teeth between 4 and 7 months of age. (If your child still doesn't have any teeth by 15 to 18 months, schedule a visit with a pediatric dentist.)
Teeth generally appear one at a time over a period of months, and often — but not always — in this order: First the bottom two middle teeth, then the top two middle ones, then the ones along the sides and back. (They may not all come in straight, but don't worry — they usually straighten out over time.) Your toddler's first molars, the wider teeth in the back of the mouth, will probably start to appear by the time he turns 1.
The last teeth to appear (the second molars, found in the very back of the mouth on the top and bottom) are usually all in place by a child's second birthday. By age 3, your child should have a full set of 20 baby teeth, which shouldn't fall out until his permanent teeth are ready to start coming in, around age 6.
What teething symptoms will my toddler experience?
Because your child's molars are bigger and more blunt than the middle teeth that came in first, you might expect their eruption to cause more pain. Actually, it�s likely that that your child's final teeth will come in practically unnoticed. Laura Grunbaum, a pediatrician in San Leandro, California, says few parents complain to her about their toddler's teething, either because they know what to do by now or their child simply isn't in much pain.
In fact, experts disagree about whether teething causes symptoms — like fussiness, diarrhea,and fever — or whether these common symptoms are not related to teething at all and just coincidentally appear at the same time as emerging teeth. Regardless, many parents maintain that their teething children do suffer discomfort (though some children get through the process with no problems at all). If your toddler does have teething trouble, here are the symptoms he's most likely to experience:
• Drooling (which can lead to a facial rash)
• Gum swelling and sensitivity
• Irritability or fussiness
• Biting behavior
• Refusing food
• Sleep problems
Though many parents report that their children have loose stools, runny noses, or a fever just before a new tooth arrives, most experts don't think teething is to blame for these symptoms. One who does is William Sears, pediatrician and author of The Baby Book. Sears believes that teething can cause diarrhea and a mild diaper rash because your child's excessive saliva ends up in his gut and loosens his stools. Inflammation in the gums, he thinks, may cause a low fever (under 101 degrees Fahrenheit).
On the other hand, child development experts such as Penelope Leach assert that teething cannot cause fever, diarrhea, vomiting, or loss of appetite and that these are signs of illness that should be checked out. Noted pediatrician T. Berry Brazelton says such symptoms are probably due to an infection unrelated to teething, but that the stress associated with teething could make your child more vulnerable to infection right before a new tooth appears.
The one thing experts agree on is that you should call your child's doctor if your toddler has symptoms that worry you or a rectal temperature of 102 degrees F or higher. The doctor can help determine whether your child is showing signs of a problem that needs medical attention, like an ear infection. If your toddler has loose stools — but not diarrhea — don't worry. The condition will clear up on its own.
What can I do to ease my toddler's discomfort?
The same tactics you used when he was younger may help your child now. Your teething toddler will probably continue to want to chew on things to ease the soreness in his gums. Offer him a rubber teething ring or a cold washcloth to gnaw on. Hard-baked toast, apple slices, or a frozen bagel are also a good bet. Not only are these foods soothing, but chewing them is good practice for his developing jaw. He may also get some relief from eating cold foods such as applesauce or yogurt.
If these methods aren't working, some doctors recommend giving a teething child a small dose of pain reliever such as children's acetaminophen — but check with your doctor before giving your toddler any medication. (Never give your toddler aspirin or even rub it on his gums to ease the pain. The use of aspirin in children is associated with Reye's syndrome, a rare but potentially life-threatening condition.)
Rubbing the gums with a topical pain relief gel is also an option, but you may want to ask your toddler's doctor before trying it. If you use too much, it can numb the back of your child's throat and weaken his gag reflex (which helps prevent him from choking on his saliva). The gels are generally safe to use, but in rare cases can cause an allergic reaction.
If drool causes a rash on your child's face, wipe, but don't rub, the drool away with a soft cotton cloth. You can also smooth petroleum jelly on his chin before a nap or bedtime to protect the skin from further irritation.
For advice from other parents specific to your toddler's teething woes, visit our Surviving teething bulletin board.
source from http://www.babycenter.com
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