How Long Can Teething Episodes Last?

Updated on March 09, 2009
P.S. asks from Farmington, NM
11 answers

It's been several days now of teething symptoms and the little buggers haven't popped out yet! He's a drool monster which is irritating the skin around his mouth, he's fussy when he's usually not, he's had a slight increase in temperature and there's some ear-pulling which we're treating as a separate issue from teething in case the two problems aren't related. I can't find any advice about how long these episodes can last until the teeth come in. Has anyone had their baby doing this for days and days until the first tooth came in? (I have the Hyland teething tablets, so I'm not so concerned about caring for him as I am wondering how long WE HAVE TO WAIT!).

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C.T.

answers from Albuquerque on

My son has b een teething for abut two weeks now. The tooth has finally popped through tht skin a little bit but I can tell he is still in pain. To be honest it has een closer to about one and a half months since his first tooth started to come in. The botton two pushed up together. About two weeks later I could see that the top teeth were starting. One pushed through after about a week. The other one took twice as long and is just now coming in. The botton teeth next to the two that came in are now starting and they are taking forever too. One is almost through the other is not yet. It is stressful but it does end eventually.

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R.C.

answers from Phoenix on

Dear P.,
Teething can be a long process troubling babies (and their parents) for days to weeks. It seems to take forever from the time you see that red lump on the gum or the signs of teething until you finally feel that sharp little edge of the tooth above the gum. Also the ear pulling may be an indication that he has referred pain to his ear from where his tooth is trying to emerge. A word of caution about Hylands Teething Tablets. Although many claim they work wonderfully, I invite you to check out the ingredients of those tiny little tablets. They contain belladonna, a powerful herb(acting as a sedative) which could in large doses be very hazardous or even fatal. Because Hylands is a homeopathic company, their products do not go through the rigorous testing of the FDA. THerefore, one can never be sure exactly how much of this powerful sedative each tablet contains. I choose not to use this product because i have a healthy respect for belladonna as a medical professional. There are other ways to relieve your son's discomfort such as cold teethers, wet cool wash cloths, and cool foods. I know it's tough on you and your husband, but this too will pass. My son just got another tooth yesterday and it took at least 3 weeks of fussiness before it came through. R., nurse-midwife and mom of 2.

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A.D.

answers from Phoenix on

We felt the EXACT same way when my son started getting his first bottom teeth....we thought it couldn't possibly get any worse and then it did! His teething episodes last for a few months at a time, but the really bad fussiness and not sleeping, etc only lasted for a couple of weeks...good luck :)

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E.D.

answers from Tucson on

each child is different. one of my kiddos would go weeks, meaning 3-5 weeks before it would come through. and nothing would help, just love.

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S.T.

answers from Phoenix on

The fever is from him teething, but with the pulling of the ears at that age usually means an ear infection I dealt with alot of that when my son was 4mnths old that when he started teething and he got two at a time, so they tend to get fussy.

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A.B.

answers from Phoenix on

Both of my boys teeth forever. My 20 month old has his canines coming in and they have been swollen for weeks and nothing has popped through yet. Eventually they will and it is all about making them comfortable in the meantime. My 3 1/2 year old stopped teething around 2 or 2 1/2 I think..It just depends on the kid, no two are alike. The teething tablets help, motrin too can be a lifesaver on the really bad days. For the drooling to help him not get a rash, put aquaphor around his mouth, we use it for both of ours because they drool a lot and my 3 1/2 year old always has his finger in his mouth lately and was getting drool on his chin but the aquaphor creates a barrier and makes it so the drool does not irritate the skin, just glides right over it. Hope this helps.

T.C.

answers from Albuquerque on

Hi P.,
My first would teethe for 4 or 5 days at a time. My second has been teething for 14 months straight now, I think - lol. His gums bulge, and nothing comes out!

Also, as an aside, I asked my pediatrician about the ear-pulling thing. He says they've done studies, (I'M big into studies) and there's no direct connection between ear-pulling behaviors and illnesses. (Just to rest your mind a little :)
t

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J.V.

answers from Phoenix on

My son starting having symptoms at 3 months and didn't get a tooth until 10 1/2

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C.S.

answers from Albuquerque on

Unfortunately, it can take months; sometimes they will even come out and go back in. Usually when it takes so long in my experience, they will have "symptoms" for a few days and then be fine for a few days, it isn't constant. Good luck to you. On really bad days, now that the whether is warmer, popsicles really help. You can even make your own, so as not to have too much sugar. Those teeth will come in and the others seem to come in faster without as much pain.

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J.P.

answers from Phoenix on

It all depends on the child. My son had major teething issues for 7 months before his tooth finally broke through the skin. The doctor and dentist all confirmed it was definitely teething. The gums were so swollen they appeared to be connected to the cheek. We were told to give him cammomile tea (Cammomile is a natural pain reliever) Also, we gave him frozen mashed pears (to help numb the gums) frozen baby carrots to chew on (until they got too soft) You can even soak a washcloth in the tea and freeze it and then let your child teeth on that too. (That really helped).

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S.S.

answers from Phoenix on

Oh goodness, it could be months before they come through!!!
Please look into this. We received an amber teething necklace as a gift (not to bite on, read on the site how it works), ever since we put it on her, the next 6 teeth came through w/o ANY pain, the drooling cut down by 90% & teething has been NO BIG DEAL. She sleeps w/o any teething pain issues & I have told 20 people about them who ahve ALL had the same results.
Way worth $9.99 for something natural that works!! And it cute on them =) The lighter the amber, the better it works. (The natural acids in the tree resin melt into the skin, like a natural pain killer) our Naturopathic Dr recommended it also & its has been AMAZING!!!
heres the one we got..if you get it, please let me know what you think! (also works for arthritis)
http://hyenacart.com/inspiredbyfinn/index.php?c=56&p=...

S.

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