Signs and symptoms of teething - Soreness and swelling of the gums - Symptoms appear 3-5 days before the tooth emerges - Drooling or dribbling - Increased chewing - Mood changes and irritability

Sequence of tooth appearance - Teeth emerge in pairs - Lower central incisors appear at around 6 months - Upper central incisors appear at around 8 months - Upper lateral incisors appear at around 10 months - Lower lateral incisors appear at around 10 months

Misdiagnosis as teething - Teething does not cause fever or diarrhea - Belief that teething causes fever is common - Some studies show a mild temperature elevation during teething - Fever during teething may actually be due to illness or infection - Herpes virus infection can mimic teething symptoms

Treatment options for teething - Chewing on objects can aid in teething - Teething rings and toys designed with textures can provide relief - Some infants find relief from chewing on cold objects - Avoid teething necklaces or bracelets as they can be dangerous - Freezing small chunks of fruits or vegetables in teething nets may help

Medication for teething pain relief - Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be used for pain relief - Child-safe pain-relief treatments containing benzocaine, lidocaine, or choline salicylate may be recommended - Benzocaine should be used cautiously due to the risk of methemoglobinemia - Choline salicylate is related to aspirin and may cause Reyes syndrome - Lidocaine gel can provide numbing effect for a short duration