New parents encounter several challenges as their baby grows, and teething is one of their toughest.
They become fussy and start acting up and crying as the teeth erupt. It causes chaos and pain for both the infants and the new parents.
Though it is a natural part of growth, many parents are caught off guard during this process despite all the information available online.
Teeth need to erupt from the gums, which do not have an opening. As they push through, it becomes painful for the baby.
Can teething cause swollen lymph nodes? Many new parents have many such questions as they get through this phase with their toddlers.
Here is the answer to this and many other concerns related to this issue.
Can Teething Cause Swollen Lymph Nodes?
Usually, the growing teeth naturally push through the gums within a few days, and that tiny little white eruption adds sparkle to their cute smile.
That should end pretty quickly if things go this smooth. The first teeth above and below are most painful as they break through the skin.
The sensitive gums cause inconsolable pain and make them swollen. However, kids having thick gums take longer than expected for the teeth to erupt.
Also, their lymph nodes can swell in a few cases, and they can run a mild fever.
However, if the symptoms are pronounced and the baby runs a high fever, it is best to check with your doctor.
The gums become sore, irritating, and painful during this process, making the baby fussy.
So, if your baby is about 4 to 7 months old, drooling more than usual, and is interested in chewing things, check for more teething signs.
1. Teething Signs In Babies
The first tell-tale sign of teething is the baby’s behavior. For most babies, it is their first time experiencing long-term pain.
The discomfort does not seem to go away as it does with a bruise or a simple injury, and they get anxious about it.
Teething makes them uncomfortable as it disrupts their sleep and changes their eating patterns.
They become cranky and might also experience brief periods of irritability.
If they have swollen gums, temperature below 101 F˚, they are all common signs of teething.
Few other symptoms include pulling on the ears and rubbing the face.
Diarrhea, rash on the face, swollen lymph nodes, and blood blisters on gums is also found often during this stage.
2. Helping Your Baby Through The Teething Process
When you run your finger along the upper edge of their gums, you can feel the teeth under them.
They can soon peek out with little help if they are that far.
- Rubbing the gums by putting gentle pressure can help alleviate their pain. It also makes it easier for the teeth to make their way out.
- Cool the teething ring in the refrigerator and allow them to chew on it to comfort their gums.
- Even ice creams and cold fruit can help numb their pain temporarily.
- A new toy might help distract them from their pain.
- Playing with parents gives them a mood boost and might help them deal with the pain.
You need to remember a couple of precautions: not to use liquid-filled tooting rings as they can burst, and make sure that whatever you hand them is not a choking hazard.
3. Few Tips To Get Through The Teething Phase Efficiently
- The rash on the face occurs due to the excessive drooling that stays on the baby’s skin for a long time. If you wipe it out from time to time, you can avoid that.
- Sometimes the baby swallows the excess saliva leading to diarrhea. So, see that the saliva does not pool in their mouth and encourage them to get it out.
- Having plenty of bibs on hand will keep you from spoiling the whole outfit of your baby when they drool. You can simply change the bibs once they get wet.
- Cool water in the sipping cup can keep them hydrated and soothed simultaneously.
- Cuddling the kids can comfort a few of them.
- Even changes in surroundings can keep them engaged on tough days, such as going to a park where they can watch many interesting things.
Summary
From “can teething cause swollen lymph nodes” to “are these symptoms related to teething” we covered everything that can help you get through this tough phase.
Even if it is the second or third child, the parents still need help as teething is different in different babies.
It is not readily visible that teething is the culprit in many instances, but as the cues progress, most parents understand that.
However, after reading this article, you are well equipped to understand them quickly and deal with them more efficiently.
See more on teething: Can Teething Cause Baby to Refuse Bottle
Frequently asked questions
How To Identify If Your Baby Is Showing Teething Symptoms Or Has Other Health Concerns?
Teething can seem like many other illnesses, and many other illnesses can mimic teething.
So, it is tough for parents to understand if it is a cause for concern.
There is a subtle difference in the symptoms, and you can identify them when you know the following.
- If the fever is above 101 F˚
- Rashes are present in other parts of the body than only the face
- Is coughing or vomiting
How Many Days Do The Teething Symptoms Last?
The babies start gnawing on things as the soreness sets in just before teething.
When you check their gums, they will be sore and continue to be so till the teeth erupt.
Usually, the teeth show up within 3 to 5 days after this trouble starts.
They settle down once the teeth show up but resurface once the next teeth are ready.
However, the good news is that they get less bad or adapt well to the situation as they get habituated to the condition and handle it better.
What Causes The Excess Drooling In Teething Infants?
It is hard to say why babies drool when teething, but scientists have a theory.
According to it, the babies start chewing and biting with irritated gums, and as it mimics eating action, the salivary glands stimulate saliva production.
They smear this saliva in their face as they start rubbing it, and it drips to their neck, chin, and chest causing infection.
So, keep patting them clean to prevent any infections.
Iesha is a loving mother of 2 beautiful children. She’s an active parent who enjoys indoor and outdoor adventures with her family. Her mission is to share practical and realistic parenting advice to help the parenting community becoming stronger.
