Teething is the process by which an infant’s baby teeth first emerge from the gums. Typically starting between 6 and 10 months of age, teething can be unpleasant for both parents and child alike, when swelling in the gums as teeth emerge (often in pairs) often cause pain and discomfort.  

With that in mind, it’s no surprise that there are many myths and misconceptions around teething. As any parent knows, for every infant cough, cry or sniffle there are a hundred folk remedies, myths and misconceptions about how to help – and this goes double for when teeth are involved. It makes sense – nobody wants their little one to be in pain – but unfortunately many of these “cures” range anywhere from largely ineffective to actively dangerous.

That’s why, in this week’s Ask a Dentist blog post, we wanted to dispel some of the many myths about teething, conveniently packaged in a top five list:

1. Teething causes fever

While teething may cause a very slight increase in body temperature, it won’t cause a fever on its own. If a child is experiencing a fever while teething, it would be due to an unrelated secondary cause (like a cold or flu).

2. Teething causes diarrhea

Despite how common this myth is, the truth is that teething won’t directly cause diarrhea in infants. There are, however, other factors – like the introduction of solid foods into a child’s diet – that occur at a similar time to teething that may contribute to the misunderstanding.

3. Teething gels are the best way to treat a fussy baby (banned in Canada)

Gently massaging your baby’s gums might help them with the discomfort that comes with teething, but topical anesthetics like Orajel or other teething gels are not the answer to reducing pain. In fact, these medications have been banned in Canada due to the risk of causing methemoglobinemia, a potentially fatal condition.

4. Teething causes ear infections

Both teething and ear infections have certain symptoms, like pain and discomfort, but research shows that one doesn’t cause the other. Ear infections are caused by bacteria in the inner ear, typically occurring after recovering from a viral infection when the immune system is already weakened.  

5. Children don’t need to see the dentist until they’re done teething

This myth isn’t specifically about teething, but it is related. Many believe that a child doesn’t need to see their dentist until they have all of their teeth, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. The Canadian Dental Association recommends all toddlers visit the dentist within the first six months of getting their first tooth. This way, any potential issues with tooth alignment or oral hygiene can be caught before they become big problems. It also helps to teach your child that going to the dentist isn’t a scary experience!

If you have a teething child, make sure to book their first appointment as soon as possible – just use the orange Book Online button on our website to schedule a check-up. Plus, the first visit under three is free!