Teething and Vomiting: Is This Normal?

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Posted by Master, Doctor Mai Vien Phuong - Department of Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital

Every baby experiences different symptoms when teething. The most common symptoms are irritability, drooling, and loss of appetite.
Some babies have more severe symptoms of teething such as vomiting, fever and diarrhea. Whether vomiting is really due to teething is still controversial. However, there are no studies that prove a link between vomiting and teething. Most experts agree that although local soreness can occur, teething does not cause other symptoms in the body.
Consult your family doctor or pediatrician if the child vomits or has any other serious symptoms. Your doctor will determine if something else is causing the vomiting.

1. When does teething start?

Babies start teething when they are 4-7 months old. The bottom teeth, called the pins, usually come first, followed by the top middle teeth. By the time a child is 3 years old, he or she will have about 20 teeth.

2. Other teething symptoms

Some teeth will come in without pain or discomfort. Others cause pain and redness of the gums. Usually, children are irritable and do not want to eat.
Newborns can also show some symptoms after teething starts:
Chewing Drooling Decreased feeding Crying Irritability Can't sleep Eating loss of appetite Red, tender and swollen gums Parents should be concerned understand when their child is upset, fussy. They want an explanation for any symptoms their child has. But according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, none of the following symptoms accurately and consistently predicts the onset of teething:
Cough Sleep disturbances Decreased appetite for liquids Vomiting Diarrhea or increased Stool Rash High fever

3. Why might my baby spit up when teething?

The American Academy of Pediatrics explains that during this time, infants have passive immunity from fades antibodies from their mothers and infants are exposed to a wide range of diseases, including viruses and bacteria. Therefore, it is likely that the baby's vomiting has another cause.
In the past, before babies started teething, people would try to treat teething with unproven methods, which are often very dangerous. This even includes cutting the gums to relieve pressure. This dangerous method will often lead to infection and other serious problems. If you are concerned about your child's symptoms, you should consult your doctor.

4. Can teething symptoms be managed?

To reduce discomfort and soft gums, you can massage or rub the gums with your fingers or have your child wear a cool teething ring or clean towel for them to chew on. If your child is chewing, you can offer him healthy things to chew, such as raw fruits and vegetables - as long as you're sure the pieces don't break off and cause choking. You should also stay close in case they choke.
Do not give your child pain relievers or medicines that you rub on their gums, like viscous lidocaine or products containing benzocaine. These medicines can harm your baby if swallowed. The FDA warns against using these medications during teething due to the risk of overdose.
Symptoms of overdose include:
Cheerfulness Confusion Vomiting Convulsions If your child spits up, it's probably not teething. Consult your pediatrician.

5. When to see a doctor

Normal teething can be treated at home. However, if your baby has a high fever or any other symptoms unrelated to teething, see your doctor.
You should also see a doctor if your child has frequent vomiting, diarrhea, or seems particularly irritable. Some symptoms, such as vomiting, should not be attributed to teething, as they may have a more serious underlying cause. Your doctor may want to run some tests to rule out other causes of your baby's symptoms.
“Studies have not shown any specific symptoms to be caused by teething. If your baby has persistent or recurrent vomiting, or seems sick, don't assume it's due to teething. Please check with your doctor instead”. - Karen Gill, pediatrician in San Francisco

Conclusion
When your baby gets their first tooth usually says nothing about their development - as with most things for babies, there are many things that are completely fine. Most babies have all their baby teeth by the time they turn 3, regardless of when they cut their first tooth.
But if your child hasn't had a tooth by 18 months, talk to the dentist. Ideally, you've taken your child to a pediatric dentist before age 1, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (and the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics).
So if you haven't seen your dentist yet, this would be a good time to check your pet's mouth and gums. While going to the dentist for the first time can sound intimidating, remember two things: Your child hasn't had a negative dental experience to create fear, and pediatric dentists are the best at it. make the visit comfortable - it can even be fun .
After your child has a tooth or two, be sure to take care to clean the surrounding area each day with a cool, damp washcloth or soft-bristled toothbrush.
Department of Endoscopy - Gastroenterology is one of the key specialties at Vinmec International General Hospital. For timely examination, advice and treatment of digestive diseases, you can contact Vinmec Health System nationwide or book an appointment on the website for service.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

References
Do Teething Babies Need Medicine on Their Gums? No. (2014, June 26) fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm385817.htm Macknin, M., Piedmonte, M., Jacobs, J., & Skibinski, C. (2000). Symptoms Associated With Infant Teething: A Prospective Study [Abstract]. Pediatrics , 105 (4), 747-752 pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/105/4/747?sso=1&sso_redirect_count=1&nfstatus=401&nftoken=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000&nfstatusdescription=ERROR%3a+No+local+ token Markman, L. (2009). Teething: Facts and Fiction. Pediatrics in Review , 30 , e59-e64 faculty.ksu.edu.sa/16796/Pediatric%20Gastroenterology%20resources/Teething%20facts%20and%20%20fictions.pdf Mayo Clinic Staff. (2015, January 29). Teething: Tips for soothing sore gums mayoclinic.com/health/teething/FL00102 Teething. (n.d.) ada.org/en/Home-MouthHealthy/az-topics/t/teething Teething: 4 to 7 months. (2015, November 21) healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/teething-tooth-care/Pages/Teething-4-to-7-Months.aspx Teething care and anticipatory guidance. (n.d.) Teething symptoms and how babies' teeth emerge. (2014, February 10) nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/teething-and-tooth-care.aspx