Member Help
   |   
Join the Community

DrSears' Blog

Teething Remedies


Just a quick THANKS to all of you who have sent in questions for us docs!  It’s really great to see what things you’re curious about, and the “Ask the Doctors” segments are my favorite part of the show. 

In today’s show, I gave a few tips about teething.  I wanted to reiterate my point about not blaming a high fever on teething.  Sure, teething can make a baby a little fussy and maybe run a slight fever, but teething shouldn’t cause a temperature over 101.  So, if baby has a fever that’s higher than this – something ELSE is probably going on.

Here are a few other common questions that parents often ask me about teething:

•    Does teething cause a runny nose? If a child has a runny nose, it’s usually because of a cold, not teething.  I think parents are confused about this because many kids will have BOTH a cold and be teething at the same time.

•    Will teething cause ear infections?  Nope! Teething can mimic a painful ear, but will not actually cause an ear infection.  Your child might pull on his ears because the nerves from sore teeth go past the ear on their way to the brain. 

•    Can teething cause a rash on baby’s face?  Yes! Teething will cause a lot of extra drooling and all that saliva on baby’s face can be irritating to his skin.  You can help treat or prevent this by applying a clear ointment like Aquaphor, lanolin, or A&D. 

Also, much of the excess drool will be swallowed, which can lead to mildly loose stools and a bit of diaper rash.  This should get better as each period of teething subsides.

Cheers!
- Dr. Jim

Don’t forget to join my Facebook friend list.  My user name is: DrJim Sears

Post Comments

Add Your Comment!

Log in to leave a comment or Create an account

Trophy_small
lisabethk

hi Dr Jim

I was lucky with Evan . He drooled alot while he was teething but was never very fussy. hes quite the little charmer. I sent in a question about a 4 yr old dr appointment. The office said he will be getting 4 shots but they refused to tell me over the phone what the shots were for. They told me they would tell me when we came in. id rather know ahead of time and do my research. I know vaccinations are important but so is my Evan.

You guys are great thanks for having such a Great Show.

 

Lisa

chloe720

Ask THe Doctor's is a good segment.  Lisa, maybe you could write in about night terrors.. Evan.   I like the near death experience one.. to include religous views, it was too short lived.

Trophy_small
lisabethk

hi Norey .

I did write in about it but i didnt hear anything back but now his grampa is in his dreams all the time.

Sinduhrella
Thanks for allowing all of us to interact with you.  I just wanted to let you know, I wish I would have had a doctor, such as you, when I was younger.  I was so afraid of going to the Doctor when I was little (not that it has changed much, now that I'm older), I wouldn't say anything when I really was sick, out of fear of having to go!  My Doctor was a rude, loud, impatient and miserable guy.  The switching of Doctors didn't really make it any better.  The only Doctor I really enjoyed going to see, was the dentist.  (hehe)  He was cute and always told me I had a "Hollywood" smile.  So yeah, anytime the subject of going to the dentist came up, I was all dressed and ready to go.  It truly makes a difference in the experience, and in the life of that child, whether they have someone they feel they can trust!  I admire the type of Doctor you are for your patients.  It's so heart warming to see your soft and gentle nature shine through, as you work with those children.  I enjoy watching you (when I am able to watch the show) and the others banter back and forth.  It shows how laid back you all are, and what great personalities you all have.  I think Travis has a slight crush on you.  (haha, he's always picking on you) 
 
I hope one day I am lucky enough to meet someone with such great qualities.  =) 
 
Take care and God bless!
~Lisa
Sinduhrella
I have a question.. My friend and I were out to lunch and she over heard a lady say something about giving her son "honey".  My friend swiveled around and broke into their conversation... She told the lady it wasn't safe to give a child honey under the age of 2 because it could cause botulism????  I couldn't believe my ears.  I asked my friend if she was sure about that, and she said YES!  Even if it's pasteurized, she said because the temperature doesn't become high enough to kill the spores during the pasteurization process.  If that's true, that's scary that parents out there aren't aware of this.  If it's true, maybe that's something that should be talked about on your show.. if it hasn't been already discussed.
 
Thanks
 
~Lisa
lmholewinski

Dr. Jim,

That's good to know about teething and fevers...I never knew that.  I have a question about my now 16 month old son.  He didn't get his fist tooth until 13 months!!!!  He then got the 4 front teeth within a couple weeks, but nothing since....and no signs of anything coming either.  This scares me a little because he had a bump for almost 2 months before his first tooth finally broke through.  Should I expect that for all the rest?  His pediatrician just kept saying that it was great that it took so long to get teeth, but I don't agree, he had a horribly fussy first year of his life!  I also find this odd that it took so long since his older sister got her first teeth at 4 months and never had to wait long for the next one, and my husband was BORN with 2 teeth.  The only thing he told me to help was to brush his gums to stimulate growth....Any advice?

 

Thanks,

Lisa

» All comments
» Comments RSS
Spinner Loading recent content...