Teething—Is It Painful?
A reader writes, regarding the article on Dental Problems in the August issue of Pediatrics in Review (1994; 15:311-318), "... do teething babies really experience pain?"
Dr. Shusterman responds:
Clearly, the process of tooth emergence irritates the oral mucosa, since there is, no doubt, pressure exerted on the tissue and a resultant remodeling of the cellular architecture. Many reliable observers (parents) report an increase in salivation and transient negative effects on personality. The process, however, is unlikely to cause a febrile state, and poor mastication or temporary dietary change may account for loose stools.
I have concluded that there is intermittent discomfort as a result of this process, but it is not the explanation for any concurrent severe metabolic disturbance or elevated fever.
There is no specific treatment for teething symptoms, aside from the pallaiative of allowing the child to chew on hard or cold food. Topical anesthetic preparations are sold over-the-counter, but these may be ingested, and alcohol, either in these preparations or alone, is inappropriate. Specific proprietary remedies should not be encouraged.
