Teething
Teething is an unexpectedly controversial topic. The degree of physical pain and symptoms attributed to teething has varied considerably over the last century. In Victorian times it was thought to be the leading cause of infant mortality. New teeth are no longer seen as a cause of severe illness, but pediatricians still disagree on whether teething causes symptoms like fever and diarrhea, or if they just sometimes occur at the same time. Symptoms that are caused by teething include drooling, gum swelling, biting and fussiness.
Babycenter® says toddlers rarely have painful teething, while Today's Parent says toddler teething can be more painful than infant teething. The onset of teething tends to vary from baby to baby, experts say. First teeth can emerge at anywhere from 3 to 12 months, with the final teeth coming in as late as at 3 years. Pediatricians say that while timing may vary, teething always follows the same pattern; the first teeth to come in are the four front teeth, followed by side teeth, then molars, and eyeteeth last. Rubber teething rings, clean wet towels, or other gnawable child-safe items can help with teething pain and irritation. Some experts also recommend gum massage.
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