Tooth eruption and symptomatology: Are the symptoms assumed to be related to the tooth eruption really associated with teeth?

Despite little evidence, many various complaints might be associated with teething in children. Symptoms related with teething mostly result in delay diagnosis of underlying disease. In this study we explore the relationship between teething and symptoms commonly seen in pediatric clinics. Children less than 36 months of age, who came to Medipol University Faculty of Medicine, between October 2013 and May 2014 for routine well-child visit, were recruited in the study. At visit time 318 infants (60.5%) had one or more visible tooth eruption. Participants were divided in five subgroups according to their age. Parents of infants (mean age 11.5 months) completed questionnaires. The most commonly reported symptom was irritability in 12-18 months (74%), 24-30 months (57%) and 30-36 (44%) months’ periods, drooling in 6-12 months (87%), loss of appetite in 18-24 months (64%). Irritability was statistically significant in all groups except 18-24 month. (p=0.54). Febrile fever was only statistically significant in 6-12 and 12-18 months groups. Increase in biting was become statistically significant after 12 months. Although rates vary according to age group, many mild symptoms previously thought to be associated with teething were found temporally correlated with teething. Before parents/caregivers attribute these symptoms to tooth eruption other possible causes must be ruled out.