How to distinguish a fever from a cold

Teething

Starting at 6 months, infants begin to erupt their first teeth. Some people experience this sooner or later - within a period of three months to a year.

This process can occur unnoticed by parents. But this rarely happens. More often they note the appearance of the following symptoms in the baby:

• Worries.
• Drooling.
• Cough.

When teething, a small child constantly keeps his hands in his mouth. He may also chew on toys and other objects.

Modern dentistry claims that uncomplicated teething is not accompanied by an increase in temperature. But in practice, hyperthermia is observed in many children - from low-grade fever to fever. It is important to distinguish it from that of a cold.

Sometimes this process is also manifested by a runny nose - nasal discharge, nasal congestion. How to distinguish snot on teeth from a common cold?

Etiology of teething

In some cases, the process of teething in children is asymptomatic, but sometimes the baby experiences discomfort and even unpleasant sensations due to pain when teeth move out of the gums. Teething is sometimes accompanied by a number of other symptoms, which may not necessarily appear all together, but their combination indicates quite clearly the cause of the problem:

• swelling and redness of the gums;
• disrupted eating and sleeping patterns;
• sudden changes in mood;
• a pronounced desire to put foreign objects into the mouth;
• slight redness of the ears and cheeks;
• excessive salivation, sometimes leading to coughing;
• occasionally small hematomas on the gums;
• slightly elevated temperature.

Teething often brings serious discomfort to the baby.

Individually, each of these signs may not indicate teething, so if a child has any of the described symptoms, it is necessary to conduct a diagnosis in order to detect others. The primary one is an increase in temperature, which is why it is sometimes difficult to distinguish an erupting thrush from a cold. This also includes spoiled appetite and sleep.

Causes of fever during teething

But first, it’s worth understanding why this happens to those babies who are faced with the first appearance of teeth:

• It turns out that a certain amount of active substances are released in the area of ​​tooth growth that reduce the child’s immunity.
• This is a kind of response of the baby’s body to the occurrence of an inflammatory process in the gums.

Many parents are afraid of this period, as the child becomes restless, anxious, constantly screams and is capricious. However, you should not be afraid of such a phenomenon, because everything will go away on its own. The temperature in such situations stays around 37-38 degrees and lasts no more than 2-3 days, after which it subsides on its own.

It is important to distinguish fever from teeth from colds and other infections that can occur in a small child at any time in his life.

During teething, the temperature may rise due to the inflammatory process occurring in the gums

How long does the temperature last during teething?

The process of teething at any age is not easy, it causes discomfort of varying degrees.

One of the unpleasant factors accompanying this phenomenon may be increased body temperature.

Parents have a huge number of questions about this, the most common of which are questions about how long the temperature lasts and how high it can be.

Such concern is not unfounded, since often, under the guise of a reaction to teething, a certain virus or other disease begins to develop, which managed to worsen during the time during which parents attributed all the symptoms to a natural reaction of the body. Therefore, it is worth understanding in more detail what is considered the norm, and in what cases it is worth taking urgent action.

Causes

The process of tooth eruption begins long before the moment when the enamel appears from under the gums. Growth begins in the bone tissue of the jaw, gradually moves into the gums, and then the tooth emerges to the surface.

This causes local inflammation and pain.

At the same time, the body begins to produce a large amount of active substances, and during the reaction to an atypical increase in their concentration, a protective reaction occurs.

Swelling, inflammation and local redness cause the same consequences as any other inflammation in human organs and tissues - an increase in temperature to suppress the source of inflammation. This requires a lot of resources and energy, which in turn affects the child’s immune system.

In addition to the main factors, side factors may also affect:

• partial immaturity of the basic life support systems for the baby, which causes failures under any provoking factor;
• violation of thermoregulation due to excessive activity of the immune system;
• temporary suppression of immune processes in the oral mucosa and physiological transformations of the nasopharyngeal area;
• violation of the frequency of feeding, periods of sleep and wakefulness and other factors leading to weakening of the child.

All this creates ideal conditions for the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms within the oral cavity. This is facilitated by the characteristic tendency of young children to taste all objects and things, since itchy gums often force one to want to drown out this feeling by biting everything that comes to hand.

In order to prevent possible dangers and infections, hyperthermia appears, which is a compensation mechanism that in itself does not pose a threat and is even useful to some extent. The main thing is that against this background various complications do not arise.

How much does the temperature rise

It is definitely difficult to answer this question. The fact is that each child is unique, so reactions to teething depend primarily on individual characteristics. Statistics show that the majority of children's temperature during this period fluctuates between 37.0-37.7°C. Another large group experienced an increase to 38.5-39.0°C without complications.

Children may react differently to this. Some babies, even with a slight increase, begin to be capricious, and sometimes cry without stopping, may refuse to eat, become lethargic or irritable. Others, even with large excesses, continue to actively play without showing signs of discomfort.

In any case, elevated temperature is a stress for the immune system and the entire body, so even if it is tolerated very easily and unnoticed, it is necessary to limit activity, ensure a gentle regimen with enough sleep and a diet with a full range of nutrients.

How to react

It is recommended to monitor body temperature during teething periodically at intervals of an hour, since the picture can change significantly in a short time. This happens especially often in the evening. It is convenient to use remote thermometers for this purpose, which simply need to be pointed at the skin to obtain current values ​​within a few seconds.

Experts urge not to lower the temperature to 38.5°C, since at these values ​​the immune system works most actively. But in cases where pain is clearly visible, you can use Nurofen, Efferalgan and other drugs that alleviate conditions with fever. Sometimes distracting procedures, such as wiping the body, help.

How long does the temperature last?

This largely depends on at what stage the increase appeared. For some, it appears at the time of gum eruption, while for others it occurs already at the stage of the tooth emerging from the jawbone, so it persists much longer.

In average cases, the picture persists for three days. Under some circumstances, hyperthermia lasts much longer and is characterized by very high values:

• The eruption of several teeth at the same time, which aggravates all symptoms.
• Pathogenic microorganisms develop in the gum tissue, causing severe inflammation. For this reason, complications such as swelling of the oral cavity, hemorrhages of the mucous membrane, etc. may develop. Infection most often results from injuries to the mucous membrane, which are often observed at the stage of teething.
• Progression of any disease not related to teething. Rhinitis, stomatitis, bronchitis and other pathologies are often attributed to teeth.

If hyperthermia lasts longer than three days, then parents should consult a pediatrician to prevent possible illnesses.

High temperature during teething is dangerous with the likelihood of developing seizures, especially high risk in children with a neurological status. When seizures occur, emergency measures are needed: taking an antipyretic and urgently seeking medical help or calling an ambulance.

When do you need a doctor?

In some cases, you cannot do without consulting a pediatrician. A visit to a children's clinic or family doctor is necessary if:

• antipyretic drugs do not help lower the temperature or lower it only by a few tenths of a degree;
• on the thermometer 39.0°C and above;
• dangerous signs have appeared - excessive lethargy of the baby, complete refusal of food or water for a couple of days, bluish skin, cold extremities, incessant crying;
• presence of cough, vomiting, diarrhea, diarrhea, etc.

Often parents fear that the symptoms are not caused by the future appearance of teeth, but by a viral or bacterial disease. When the pediatrician suspects that the cause of hyperthermia is not teething, but pathology, he prescribes a blood test to determine ESR. If this parameter does not correspond to the age norm, other examinations will follow to establish the real cause.

Teething is a complex process, which is the first step on the path to adulthood. The reward for possible discomfort will be a beautiful set of teeth, with the help of which the baby will be able to actively eat adult food.

Hyperthermia after removal

Temperature occurs not only during the eruption of baby teeth, but also after their removal. When removing an element of the dentition, the dentist in any case damages a small amount of gingival tissue, to which the body can react within half an hour. The more damage, the stronger the immune system response may be.

This picture may also be a sign of the development of an inflammatory process. To prevent unpleasant consequences, you should show the child to the dentist who performed the removal.

Source: https://zuby-desny.ru/skolko-derzhitsya-temperatura-pri-prorezyvanii-zubov/

Symptoms that are similar

So, how can you understand why your temperature has risen - due to illness or due to teething? The child will not tell you about his feelings, so you will have to act on your own or contact an experienced specialist.

But initially you should consider the symptoms that can occur in both cases:

1. The thermometer readings reach 38 degrees. These numbers last for several days.
2. Increased salivation. Another symptom that can be observed both during a cold and during teething.
3. Runny nose. Yes, yes, it’s a runny nose, it can appear even when teeth are being cut. This is due to increased mucus secretion, but there are still some differences here, for example, with ARVI there will be nasal congestion and the appearance of purulent streaks.
4. Mild cough. It can also occur in both cases, so do not rush to draw conclusions as to why the child’s body temperature has increased.

It is recommended to carefully study all the existing symptoms to determine exactly what is happening to your child. This is extremely important as you will then take further measures to reduce the temperature.

Symptoms of teething and colds are very similar

Symptoms

The level of pain a baby feels will be different for each baby. Some babies may suffer more than others when they are teething.

Soreness and swelling of the gums before the tooth emerges are the cause of the discomfort the baby experiences during this change.

These symptoms usually begin approximately three to five days before the tooth emerges, and they disappear when the tooth breaks through the gum.

Signs of teething:

1. Salivation. A teething baby tends to drool more than at other times as tooth advancement and pain force him to hold his mouth open for longer periods of time. You will end up drooling more than usual. A mild rash may develop due to irritation of the skin around the mouth caused by excessive drooling. If you notice that your baby's clothes are constantly damp, attach a baby bib and gently wipe his chin throughout the day.
2. Biting. The pressure of teeth pushing under the gums leads to severe discomfort, which can be relieved by applying pressure from the opposite side (chewing and biting). Teething babies will chew on anything they find, from special toys and rattles to their mother's nipples when breastfeeding and fingers.
3. Irritation. Sore gums and teething cause discomfort and you will find that your baby gets irritated too easily and is fussy most of the time.
4. Swelling of the gums. When teeth cut, they usually cut through the gums, causing them to swell. If a baby's gums are swollen and painful, this is a sign that a new tooth will soon grow.
5. Grabbing ears. Another sign of pain; the pain in the mouth radiates throughout the child's head, so they pull their ears, assuming that this will lead to relief.
6. Crying, restless sleep at night and mild fever are also associated with teething. Babies may even refuse to eat due to pain.
7. Teeth visible inside the gums. The most obvious sign that babies are teething is when they appear along the bottom of the jaw.

Symptoms usually resolve on their own, but your doctor should be notified if they worsen or persist. Teething may cause symptoms in the mouth and gums, but the process does not cause problems in other parts of the body.

The type and severity of these manifestations varies greatly from one child to another - for example, for one, teething brings great pain and tears, while another can survive the process without complaint. But you can probably see at least some, and possibly many, of the symptoms listed above.

This is likely an illness if your child:

• is overly fussy that you can't calm him down. The phrase "teething" makes you think that the baby will have unbearable pain, but it is quite mild. A little extra fuss is okay. But, if your child cries so much that he cannot sleep or calm down, consult a doctor;
• has a high temperature. A fever of 38°C or higher likely indicates an infection.

A child with a cutting tooth constantly puts his hands in his mouth, as a result of which an infection can enter the body, causing a disease;

• refuses any food (solids and liquids). Some children avoid hard foods when a new tooth emerges. But if your baby also refuses to breastfeed or put a bottle in his mouth, talk to your pediatrician;
• has a runny nose, cough, vomiting or diarrhea. There is no evidence that teething causes any of these problems. Most likely, these manifestations indicate that the child is sick;
• has a rash not only on the face. Often excessive drooling results in a rash around the mouth, but if the rash spreads to the torso, arms or legs, it may be due to illness;
• symptoms last more than a few days. Irritability, swollen gums and a slightly elevated temperature can be caused by teething, but only in the days before and after the tooth appears.

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So if your child feels unwell for several days in a row and you still can't see the tooth, something else is probably bothering your baby.

Research shows that runny nose, vomiting, diarrhea, and high fever (over 38.9°C) are not associated with teething. One study found that these manifestations were not significantly associated with the appearance of teeth. Additionally, no single set of symptoms was found to accurately predict the onset of eruption.

Pediatricians explain that the child’s passive immunity from maternal antibodies disappears at this time, and the baby is exposed to a wide range of pathogens. Thus, it is likely that the child's vomiting or diarrhea has a different etiology.

How to understand that the temperature is on the teeth?

Now it’s worth considering in detail each of the reasons for this phenomenon in order to figure out what exactly you are dealing with at the moment.

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First, the heat that comes with teething. The most common symptoms are:

• the desire to put everything in your mouth and try it on your teeth;
• excessive salivation;
• a slight increase in temperature, sometimes there is a sharp increase and decrease in temperature several times a day;
• refusal of food;
• lethargic state of the baby, apathy;
• insomnia;
• constant crying.

It is quite difficult to distinguish a fever from a cold, however, this can be done if you take a close look at the child’s condition, his experiences and emotions. As a rule, experienced mothers quickly determine what is happening with their children, as a result of which they take the necessary measures to eliminate unwanted symptoms.

When teething, the baby often cries, suffers from insomnia, and refuses to eat.

How to distinguish a temperature on the teeth from a Komarovsky cold?

Young children are susceptible to many diseases and ailments, which are sometimes difficult to understand even for the most experienced pediatrician.
Unlike an adult, a baby cannot explain what exactly is bothering him or which area of ​​the body needs attention, so young parents often confuse one problem of his well-being with another. For example, there are regularly cases when a baby is brought in for examination complaining of a cold, when in fact he was worried about the eruption of baby teeth. But how to distinguish one from the other?

Etiology of teething

In some cases, the process of teething in children is asymptomatic, but sometimes the baby experiences discomfort and even unpleasant sensations due to pain when teeth move out of the gums. Teething is sometimes accompanied by a number of other symptoms, which may not necessarily appear all together, but their combination indicates quite clearly the cause of the problem:

• swelling and redness of the gums;
• disrupted eating and sleeping patterns;
• sudden changes in mood;
• a pronounced desire to put foreign objects into the mouth;
• slight redness of the ears and cheeks;
• excessive salivation, sometimes leading to coughing;
• occasionally small hematomas on the gums;
• slightly elevated temperature.

Teething often brings serious discomfort to the baby.

Individually, each of these signs may not indicate teething, so if a child has any of the described symptoms, it is necessary to conduct a diagnosis in order to detect others. The primary one is an increase in temperature, which is why it is sometimes difficult to distinguish an erupting thrush from a cold. This also includes spoiled appetite and sleep.

Etiology of the common cold

From a medical point of view, a cold should be called directly only the cooling of the body, which led to one of the probable diseases, but in colloquial speech a number of diseases are called a cold. And although they all have a different nature of occurrence, based on such a provocative factor as hypothermia, they are usually combined into a common group:

All these diseases have a different clinical picture with some common symptoms, and although in some ways they may resemble the symptoms of a malaise in which the baby is teething, there should be no problems with how to distinguish one from the other.

Differences from rhinitis

There are more differences than similarities between rhinitis and the teething condition.

In the acute course of this disease, the nasal mucosa becomes inflamed, which is accompanied by active sneezing, tearfulness and general malaise.

When entering the chronic stage, rhinitis provokes, on the contrary, nasal congestion with obvious swelling, as well as regular mucopurulent discharge.

The only common feature is an increase in temperature.

Important! Rhinitis, unlike teething, can cause headaches, but it is impossible to diagnose it in the case of infants without special equipment.

Differences from ARVI

ARVI (acute respiratory viral infection) is what doctors call inflammatory diseases caused by pneumotropic viruses. This list includes pathogens such as:

• influenza and parainfluenza;
• adenoviruses;
• rhinoviruses;
• respiratory syncytial virus;
• reoviruses;
• coronaviruses;
• herpes simplex;
• enteroviruses;
• mycoplasma;
• pathogenic bacteria.

In general, this is a very broad group of diseases, the most common of which in terms of colds are influenza and herpes simplex. The first of them cannot be confirmed without laboratory tests, since influenza in its symptoms is very similar to any other disease from the list of acute respiratory viral infections.

But even with mild forms of this disease, doctors note a sharp rise in body temperature to 38 - 40 degrees, which is completely different from teething.

Moreover, the flu is accompanied by chills and weakness, as well as a dry and tense cough: a baby with cutting milk mucus cannot have all of this (except for a cough, but even that is not dry, but very wet, since the baby coughs up excess saliva).

Note! Only in people with strong immunity does the flu go smoothly within a few days, while in people at risk (including infants) it often provokes pulmonary or extrapulmonary complications. In severe forms of the disease, vascular collapse and cerebral edema are possible.

Even with mild forms of this disease, doctors note a sharp rise in body temperature to 38 - 40 degrees, which is completely different from teething.

As for herpes simplex, its distinctive feature is the appearance of characteristic blisters on the skin and mucous membranes. It is sometimes called a “cold on the lips” because of the visible symptoms, but this disease has little in common with the common cold. It is very difficult to confuse herpes with signs of teething.

Difference from pharyngitis

Pharyngitis can also act as a concomitant disease with ARVI, but being an independent disease, it is, first of all, an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the mouth and throat. In its acute form, this disease is characterized by a sore throat, pain and a dry, painful cough.

A child with pharyngitis may also suffer from a slight (low-grade) fever, but it is the presence of a cough against the background of obvious redness of the throat that makes it easy to distinguish such a disease from the symptoms that characterize erupting baby teeth.

Difference from laryngitis

Laryngitis in its clinical picture is very similar to pharyngitis, while the main difference between them is the localization of the inflammatory process.

Laryngitis affects the larynx, not the mucous membrane of the pharynx.

Otherwise, the symptoms are similar: dryness and sore throat, dry cough (which then changes its character due to phlegm), headache and a relatively low temperature - up to 37.5 degrees.

A distinctive feature of laryngitis is the appearance of hoarseness or hoarseness in the voice, up to its loss, which is directly related to inflammation of the larynx. Obviously, baby teeth cannot erupt with such a set of symptoms, so this disease can easily be crossed off the list of probable causes of a child’s illness.

Treatment

Obviously, the main reasons why parents confuse teething with colds are the child’s slightly elevated temperature and disturbances in nutrition and behavior. However, the temperature itself can indicate dozens of different ailments, as well as disruptions in the baby’s daily routine.

An experienced doctor, without much doubt, will be able to very quickly identify all the key symptoms and combine them into a general diagnosis, although parents are also able to first conduct a correct analysis of the clinical picture that they observe in their child. And yet, the best decision if you suspect a disease would be to visit a clinic in order to prevent possible complications.

As for the treatment necessary for teething in a baby, it is, as a rule, if required, then only symptomatic. The fact is that the process of teeth appearing is natural for a baby, and it would be wrong to try to somehow stop it because the child is feeling negatively.

There is no need to reduce the temperature with medication, as it will subside naturally soon. You should also remember that only the first few teeth are the hardest to erupt, and the body can cope better with the eruption of the rest.

Additional information : in the first months of their life, young children almost never get sick from ARVI, since they have innate immunity inherited from the mother transplacentally (if she also had immunity to viral diseases). However, over the next couple of years, babies can catch the virus up to 10 times a year for a number of objective reasons.

Colds and more

Source: https://stomatologia-nn.ru/lechenie-zubov/kak-otlichit-temperaturu-na-zuby-ot-prostudy-komarovskij.html

The main signs of teething in babies

The first signs of teething in babies appear after about three months , when colic subsides and parents are just beginning to get used to good nights. However, not all signs can indicate teething; in some cases, the child’s restless behavior indicates viral diseases and it is better to call a doctor so that he can explain for sure the reason for the baby’s unusual behavior.

So, the most common signs of rapid teething include:

1. general malaise of the baby, fatigue;
2. poor sleep, desire to sleep only in your arms;
3. crying and anxiety, irritability;
4. thumb sucking;
5. increased salivation;
6. temperature rise to 37 degrees and above;
7. digestive system disorders: vomiting, regurgitation, diarrhea;
8. unpleasant odor in the mouth;
9. refusal of food.

Naturally, the eruption of a child’s first teeth is associated with enormous stress . It is very important at this time to be close to him and constantly take care of him: carry him in your arms, sing a lullaby, and reassure him in every possible way.

Saliva begins to be actively produced, as a rule, after five months. At first, salivation is very profuse, it is advisable to put a bib on the child at this time, and then they become less profuse.

When the tooth comes to the surface, the body temperature rises to the maximum, the pain intensifies, it is advisable that at this time the child consumes the maximum amount of liquid.

It is very important that teething is not accompanied by an infection, which often appears during teething; as a rule, it causes gastric upsets and an unpleasant odor in the baby’s mouth.

Symptoms of teething in children

The symptoms characteristic of the eruption of the first teeth in a child do not differ from the signs. However, signs do not always indicate eruption, and symptoms accompany the eruption process itself.

Active teething occurs in a period of four to eight months, however, these periods are quite arbitrary. The most common symptoms associated with teething are:

1. inflammation of the gums;
2. itching;
3. searching for hard objects and the desire to chew them;
4. sleep disorder;
5. rash on the body;
6. vomit;
7. cough;
8. colds and characteristic cold symptoms;
9. temperature up to 39.5 degrees.

You can help your child by giving him more fluids to drink and preparing safe objects for him to use to scratch his painful gum. For this purpose, it is best to use special teethers filled with liquid and pre-cooled.

Under no circumstances should you lower your child’s temperature with an antipyretic during teething, unless it is accompanied by a real cold. For this purpose, it is better to call a doctor to determine what exactly caused the high temperature.

Typically, the temperature during teething in a child can remain high for several days, and then drop sharply.

How to distinguish teething from other ailments

As mentioned earlier, some signs and symptoms of teething are absolutely the same as the symptoms of various diseases, in particular colds, digestive, infectious and others. Therefore, it is very important to learn to distinguish them from each other on your own in order to take appropriate measures if your child is unwell in a timely manner.

Be sure to carefully monitor whether the baby begins to ask for the breast more often or less often than he usually did. See if the way he sucks on the breast, or bottles if the baby is bottle-fed, has changed.

If a child, when grabbing a bottle or mother’s breast, immediately throws it away, then look to see if red bumps : these are the places where the child’s teeth will soon appear.

Also, if he sucks the breast much more intensely than usual and even bites it often, this suggests that perhaps in this way the baby is trying to relieve the itching in the gums that is characteristic of teething.

So, what measures can parents take to ease the pain and suffering of their baby during teething? In the early months of life, the best way to do this is a rubber teether , as we mentioned earlier. The most effective is filled with water and pre-chilled in the refrigerator. And for a child six months and older, a cracker, a raw apple or a carrot will help ease the pain of teething. However, the intake of such food in children under one year of age should be carried out under the full supervision of the parents, so that the baby does not choke on small pieces of food. In addition, if the child is too nervous, you can use special gum gels to relieve pain.

Differences between symptoms of stomach diseases and teething symptoms

Very often, teething is accompanied by problems with nutrition, as well as vomiting and loose stools . To make sure that these symptoms are only a consequence of teething and not an infectious disease, carefully examine the baby’s tummy. It should not be swollen or make a “gurgling” sound. You can lightly press on the tummy, if the child does not cry, then he does not have gastric problems. If he reacts to the slightest pressure, it’s not just a matter of teething.

If you observe vomiting in a child, be sure to monitor this process : pay attention to its frequency, conditions, quantity and appearance. As a rule, vomiting as an independent sign of teething is extremely rare. If so, then it should not occur more than twice a day. Vomiting is often an accompanying symptom of teething at high temperatures of 38 degrees and above.

If vomiting occurs against the background of other symptoms and occurs more than twice a day, then it indicates problems with the child’s stomach or the presence of an infection, so you should immediately consult a doctor.

If we talk about stomach upset as a sign of teething, then the baby’s stool will not be too runny. In addition, the number of disorders should not exceed six times a day . The feces should be medium liquid and free of blood and mucus.

If the baby diarrhea is too frequent, with admixtures of blood and mucus, then this indicates that he has an acute infection or another serious illness.

A runny nose can vary

Often the appearance of mucous discharge from the nose (snot) is perceived by parents as a symptom of some disease, and such an opinion is often not without foundation. If the runny nose during teething is severe, this may indicate the presence of a viral or infectious disease. The baby needs to be shown to a doctor.

You should also visit a specialist when the baby’s nose is stuffy, breathing is difficult, and instead of mucus, only liquid is released. It is important not to waste time and not put off visiting a doctor, since this condition must be treated.

When teeth appear, a slight discharge of watery, clear fluid from the baby’s nose is considered normal, lasting about 3-5 days. It is important to pay attention to the color of the discharge, since a yellowish or greenish tint indicates the presence of infection.

The duration of nasal congestion is also important, and if this condition lasts longer than 5 days, you should consult a doctor for help.

Symptoms accompanying a runny nose can be different, for example:

• temperature rise, both minor and quite serious;
• the appearance of increased salivation;
• swelling and redness of the gums;
• the baby’s desire to constantly chew or gnaw something;
• sleep disorders;
• anxiety;
• decreased appetite;
• cough;
• disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.

An increase in temperature is usually caused by the fact that during teething and their growth, the body produces a large amount of biologically active substances. During this period, the baby’s temperature may rise to 38-39 degrees, but this condition should not last longer than two days.

Cough is a frequent accompaniment of a runny nose during this period, since mucus, produced in excess in the nasal cavity, penetrates the oropharynx.

The baby spends most of the day in a lying position, so mucus freely enters the throat on its back wall and causes irritation, leading to the appearance of a normal reflex cough.

But there is no need to attribute a runny nose, cough and other symptoms to teething and not attach much importance to them. If such signs appear, first of all you should make sure that the baby does not have a cold or a more serious viral (infectious) disease. It is important to remember that cough in children during the period of teething can only be rare, reflexive and wet.

Sequence of appearance of teeth

Most children begin teething between 6 and 12 months. They appear in babies in pairs.

The lower front teeth come in first, and the upper front teeth usually take a couple of months to emerge.

Then the lower and upper lateral incisors emerge, followed by the first molars (the teeth behind the canines), the canines, and the second molars. So, by the age of three, the child will have a set of 20 primary teeth.

This is a general dental growth chart, but not all babies will follow it. Some will be ahead of him, while others will be behind him.

The average age for teething to begin is about six months. The appearance of teeth before six months is considered early. If a baby has no teeth before 13 months, this is considered a delay.

Don't worry if teething is delayed; it varies from one child to another. As long as your baby's hair, skin and bones are in good condition, there is nothing to worry about. Delayed teething does not indicate any problem in the overall development of the child.

The appearance of teeth may be delayed due to:

• hereditary factor;
• poor nutrition;
• hypothyroidism (thyroid disease);
• premature birth.

However, if you believe that there is no hereditary cause and the child is receiving adequate nutrition and teeth are not appearing, then you should consult a doctor. But first, pay attention to the signs that will tell you when a tooth might appear.

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What should I do and should I treat it?

If a runny nose is the result of teething in a child, treatment is usually not required because it usually goes away on its own. But during this period it is necessary to maintain the correct air temperature in the room (it should not exceed 20 degrees), as well as the humidity level (about 75%). Such measures significantly alleviate the baby’s condition and help fight this problem.

No strong medications should be used to alleviate the condition. To help your baby, you can additionally moisturize the mucous membranes of his nose, rinse the nasal cavity, and use gentle drops to remove accumulated mucus, since it can dry out and form crusts that interfere with the baby’s normal breathing.

Snot on teeth - what is their peculiarity, what are they like?

So, as we have already found out, a common symptom of teething in the first two years of a baby’s life is snot. In order not to confuse such discharge with a cold, you need to know what its nature is.

At the very peak of eruption, transparent discharge is observed, more like water rather than mucus. Such snot does not cause any discomfort at all, except that it flows constantly. At the same time, strong salivation may occur, which occurs due to increased blood circulation.

The period of teething is characterized by:

• mild nasal discharge, having a non-viscous structure, transparent color;
• discharge begins and ends independently;
• nasal congestion caused by swelling of the mucous membrane due to increased blood flow;
• The snot flows out on its own, the baby does not need to blow his nose.

If the snot becomes viscous and turns green and stops flowing spontaneously from the nose, then most likely an infection is developing in the body that needs to be treated.

What does Dr. Komarovsky think about the snot that flows like a river during teething:

Other symptoms characteristic of the “cutting” period

In addition to the fact that the baby may have a runny nose during teething, other unpleasant symptoms may be observed at this time, including the following:

• the appearance of copious saliva;
• the child puts everything in his mouth;
• restless sleep;
• swelling of the gums;
• refusal to eat;
• tearfulness;
• bowel dysfunction (diarrhea, constipation);
• cough;
• elevated body temperature.

If the baby develops an elevated body temperature, it is necessary to ensure that it does not exceed 39 degrees and does not last more than 2 days. This condition is due to the fact that during this period of time a sufficiently large amount of biologically active substances is released into the body.

In most cases, a runny nose can be accompanied by a cough. This is due to the fact that mucus flows into the throat, causing irritation. The cough must be wet and infrequent, otherwise it may be a manifestation of a cold.

The duration of a runny nose during teeth growth should not exceed 5 days. If such a symptom is observed for quite a long time, and the discharge changes color and consistency, then it is necessary to show the baby to a doctor.

The nature of the appearance of a runny nose during teething

Parents and pediatricians always play it safe as soon as they discover any abnormalities in the baby’s condition. Therefore, even a slight runny nose is often treated like ARVI. This is correct, because babies do not yet know how to blow their nose normally, and sputum flows down the trachea into the bronchi. This can subsequently lead to complications such as bronchitis or even pneumonia.

However, it is not always necessary to rely on vasoconstrictor drugs. A runny nose during teething occurs:

• non-infectious nature. The problem of snot during the period of teeth growth in a baby is explained by physiological reasons. The anatomical structure of the nasopharynx is as follows: the blood supply to the gums and mucous membranes of the nasal passages is carried out through a network of vessels that are closely interconnected due to their close location. During teething, the blood supply to the gums increases, so the mucous membranes begin to work more actively - saliva is produced abundantly in the oral cavity, and nasal mucus ;
• against the background of a respiratory infection. When a baby is teething, his local immunity suffers a slight disruption. Resistance to colds decreases, so the child easily picks up any virus.

If a runny nose is caused by physiology, snot on the teeth may not go away for weeks, which is not typical for ARVI.

As for nasal congestion due to a respiratory infection, excessive mucus production is not the only symptom. Other catarrhal phenomena and changes in the baby’s well-being will not be long in coming.

Main differences

I don’t want to stuff my baby with medications one more time. Therefore, one can understand the desire of parents to understand when a runny nose on the teeth is normal, and when it is a manifestation of an illness. You can distinguish snot on your teeth from a cold by the signs given in the table below.

Interesting fact! A fever in a child’s teeth may appear for 5-7 days, whereas with ARVI it does not last more than 3-4 days in a row from the moment the first symptoms appear. You can also distinguish a fever from a cold by the marks on the thermometer. If it rises sharply and falls heavily throughout the day, this is a manifestation of teething. If it easily becomes confused and disappears completely by the evening, but the tooth does not appear, then we are talking about ARVI.

We invite you to read Why do doctors prescribe Nurofen for children for toothache?

Sometimes the symptoms of the disease overlap with the natural signs of teething, so you should contact your pediatrician in any case!

The appearance of a new tooth against the background of ARVI

If the baby has picked up some kind of infection, then all of the above symptoms will be accompanied by the following:

• elevated temperature up to 38.5C;
• profuse runny nose - the snot is initially transparent, then white or yellow;
• red throat and inflamed tonsils;
• dry cough (usual coughing is normal with a runny nose, we are talking about a deep cough);
• general lethargy and weakness;
• tearfulness.

These are signs of a typical respiratory infection, which often occurs due to a decrease in the baby's immune system during the period of the appearance of a new tooth.

How to determine that a runny nose and snot are a reaction to teeth and not a cold

To determine whether a baby's incisors are cutting or his body is fighting an infection, you need to pay attention to body temperature. When teething, it should not exceed 37.5 °C, and according to Dr. Komarovsky, a temperature of 38 °C is also acceptable.

It is also important to determine how long the elevated temperature lasts. With the growth of dental units, it should not last more than 2–3 days; infectious diseases are characterized by an increase in temperature from 37 to 40 ° C and its duration over 3 days.

The nature of the cough is also different. During the teething process, the cough is wet and rare, in case of infection it is dry and frequent.

You can determine that snot appears due to the growth of teeth, both by their appearance and by the duration of the runny nose:

SignEruption processInfection

Parents should focus on how long a runny nose lasts during teething, since the symptoms of infectious rhinitis in the initial stages are similar to the signs of inflammation of the nasal mucosa for physiological reasons.

How to distinguish teething from a cold Komarovsky

The appearance of the first incisors in babies is a new stage in their development, which mothers and fathers look forward to. However, many parents find themselves unprepared for teething problems.

Most often, they are bothered by snot that appears during teething, since a runny nose makes it difficult for a child to breathe and can be perceived as a sign of a cold.

In order to determine the course of treatment, it is first necessary to establish the true cause of nasal congestion.

Causes of “tooth rhinitis”

Some parents believe that teething snot can appear in babies solely due to a viral disease. However, this assumption is erroneous - in the first year of life, the nose becomes blocked mainly for physiological reasons.

Anatomically, the oral and nasal cavities are located close to each other and have a common innervation. At the time when a tooth erupts, blood circulation in the gums and the entire oral cavity increases, which promotes blood flow to the nasal mucosa and stimulates the work of goblet cells, which produce mucus.

The addition of an infection also causes a runny nose during teething; this process is caused by a decrease in the body’s defenses. In the sixth month after birth, the antibodies that the newborn received in the womb and through breast milk disappear. This period coincides with the age when the first teeth are cut.

The simultaneous decrease in immunity and the appearance of additional stress on the body in the form of the formation of the masticatory apparatus increases the risk of contracting an infection. As a result, infants may not only have a stuffy nose, but also experience lethargy, persistent fever, and a cough.

If the baby’s temperature exceeds 38 °C and lasts more than 2 days, the baby refuses to eat and cannot breathe freely through the nose, it is necessary to urgently consult a doctor.

Signs of teething

Each baby experiences the process of teeth growth in its own way: some experience severe pain, while for others the teething process may not cause discomfort. However, in most cases, with active tooth growth, the baby’s behavior changes noticeably:

In addition to behavioral signs, parents may observe increased salivation, redness and swelling of the gums, coughing, frequent bowel movements, hyperthermia, sneezing and runny nose. Symptoms usually last as long as the tooth erupts.

When trying to understand what is bothering your baby - tooth growth or an additional infection - you should pay attention to the nature of the symptoms.

The cough, fever, and sniffles that occur as teeth grow are different from the symptoms that occur with an infection or cold. If the child does not have a fever, you can go to the dentist.

The dentist will not only determine whether the incisors are starting to come out, but will also tell you the approximate time after which they should be expected and recommend suitable painkillers.

How to determine that a runny nose and snot are a reaction to teeth and not a cold

To determine whether a baby's incisors are cutting or his body is fighting an infection, you need to pay attention to body temperature. When teething, it should not exceed 37.5 °C, and according to Dr. Komarovsky, a temperature of 38 °C is also acceptable.

It is also important to determine how long the elevated temperature lasts. With the growth of dental units, it should not last more than 2–3 days; infectious diseases are characterized by an increase in temperature from 37 to 40 ° C and its duration over 3 days.

The nature of the cough is also different. During the teething process, the cough is wet and rare, in case of infection it is dry and frequent.

SignEruption processInfection

Parents should focus on how long a runny nose lasts during teething, since the symptoms of infectious rhinitis in the initial stages are similar to the signs of inflammation of the nasal mucosa for physiological reasons.

How and what to treat a runny nose and snot in a teething baby

A runny nose that occurs in children when teeth appear most often does not require drug treatment. To help babies survive the teething process more easily, you need to:

• Periodically clear the nasal cavity of mucus using an aspirator. This should be done as snot accumulates in the nose.
• Rinse the nose with herbal decoctions or saline solutions.
• Monitor the child's water balance - the baby should drink a lot of warm water.
• Humidify the air in the room. This can be done either with a humidifier or with improvised means (a bowl of water, damp laundry).
• Ventilate the room at least 4 times a day for 15 minutes.
• Make sure your baby stays in bed.

The following folk remedies help get rid of nasal congestion:

• steam inhalations with medicinal herbs, salt or soda solution;
• instillation of diluted aloe juice into the nasal cavity;
• mustard foot baths.

Dr. Komarovsky claims that when teething and snot appear, it is first necessary to treat swollen gums. To do this, you can use a chilled teether, anti-inflammatory gels and antiseptics.

If nasal congestion is severe and makes breathing difficult, and “tooth snot” is green in color, the use of nasal drops is acceptable.

Many parents try to cure such a runny nose with vasoconstrictors, but their use can result in the body getting used to them and constant swelling of the nose.

Therefore, only a doctor should decide how and with what to treat snot during teething.

Prevention of infectious rhinitis

During the first year of life, infants grow approximately 8–10 dental units. This tendency often leads to a weakened immune system and the constant occurrence of infectious rhinitis. Therefore, it is better to prevent a runny nose in a child during teething than to treat it and other symptoms that arise from complications.

To strengthen your baby's immunity, you need to take him for walks in the fresh air often. Dr. Komarovsky believes that a month-old baby and older children should be outside or on an open balcony throughout the day, excluding time for eating.

A balanced diet for your baby also helps prevent rhinitis. If the baby is breastfed during teething, it is not recommended to wean him off the breast. It is advised not to transfer a bottle-fed baby to complementary feeding until 6 months of age.

Preventive measures such as:

• hardening;
• ventilation and maintaining cleanliness in the room;
• humidifying the air in the room;
• strict adherence to the daily routine.

Compliance with preventive rules will help not only strengthen the baby’s immune system, but also facilitate the process of teething.

Source: https://orvi.yarfotograf.ru/kak-otlichit-prorezyvanie-zubov-ot-prostudy-komarovskij/

How to help a child

If at an appointment with a pediatrician it becomes clear that the baby has an acute respiratory viral infection due to teething, the doctor will immediately prescribe treatment. To be sure, you can take a blood test, which will show you what needs to be dealt with. Usually the baby is prescribed:

• vasoconstrictor droplets according to age;
• cough syrup with ambroxol to prevent sputum from stagnating;
• cough tablets - usually Septefril or Lizobact in the permitted dosage;
• saline solution for rinsing the nasal passages;
• antipyretic drugs, for example, Analdim suppositories or suspensions - Panadol, Nurofen.

All medications are prescribed by a doctor - self-medication in this case is unacceptable!

If we are not talking about ARVI, but about a normal reaction to teeth, then when the temperature rises, the baby is given antipyretics, and the nose is washed with saline solution. If the baby is too restless, the gums are smeared with a special anesthetic gel.

Snot on your teeth can be either normal or a sign of infection. It is not difficult to determine their nature - there are many signs that signal that a child has become infected with ARVI. If it is an infection, the mother’s task is to follow the pediatrician’s instructions and do the maximum to ensure that he recovers. To prevent the baby from becoming infected with the virus during the teething period, it is necessary to visit crowded places less (especially during epidemics), wash his toys more often, avoid overheating and hypothermia, and rinse his nose.

How to distinguish snot from a cold during teething?

All parents eagerly await the appearance of their baby's first tooth. But for the child himself, this can cause a lot of unpleasant symptoms and deterioration in well-being. A runny nose is also a common occurrence during teething.

What are the main differences?

If difficulties arise in terms of how to distinguish a viral runny nose from a bacterial one, it is necessary to pay attention to a number of criteria that will allow you to unambiguously determine the type of disease. Bacterial and viral runny nose have the following differences:

• speed of onset of symptoms - viral is characterized by copious clear discharge, and bacterial by thick yellowish snot;
• body temperature - the virus always leads to a significant increase in body temperature, which does not happen with a bacterial infection;
• smell of discharge - with bacterial rhinitis, the discharge has an unpleasant odor, which is not observed with a viral infection;
• well-being - a viral disease is associated with a feeling of “breaking” of the body; with a bacterial disease, a person is able to maintain normal performance for a long time.

See also

Causes and treatment of red eyes and snot in a child

Read

Correct determination of the nature of the disease and the speed of measures taken largely determine the duration and nature of the course of the disease. The principles of treating runny noses of different natures differ radically.

Causes of rhinitis during tooth growth

Why does a child suffer from a runny nose when teething? Doctors explain this as follows:

1. Decreased immunity. The appearance of the first teeth requires a large amount of resources, which weaken the body’s defenses. In this state, exposure to any pathogenic bacteria can provoke the development of the disease; during this period, it is necessary to especially carefully monitor the diet, it must contain the required amount of vitamins and minerals. They are found in fruits, vegetables and dairy products.
2. The proximity of the gums and nose, which are enriched by a common network of blood vessels. During inflammation of the gums, the blood supply increases, and the effect also affects the nasal mucosa. The main function of which is to protect and cleanse the nose with the help of secretions; as a result of increased blood flow, cells are stimulated and mucus is released abundantly.

A runny nose does not pose a threat to health, but difficulties are created by the lack of skill in blowing the nose in a child under one year old, and narrow nasal passages worsen the situation. The mucus does not flow out, begins to accumulate in the nose, and then leads to difficulty breathing. In this case, it is necessary to provide assistance to the baby and remove the discharge mechanically.