Teething Revisited

Department of Pediatric Dentistry

St Joseph Hospital

Resident’s Name: Derek Banks Date: March 20, 2009

Article title: Teething Revisited

Author(s): D King

Journal: Ped. Dent

Volume (number): 16:3

Month, Year: 1994

Major topic: Eruption

Minor topic: Teething

Type of Article: Historical rant

Main Purpose: Discuss the perception (past and present) medical professionals have of conditions attributed to teething sequelae

Overview of method of research: Literature review

Findings: Historically, physicians and dentists have attributed many different symptoms and conditions to teething. From fevers to irritability, convulsions, and even death. Even in the late 1800's and early 1900's, many infant deaths were attributed to teething. Many remedies were used to treat the teething condition from lancing the gingiva, to leeches, to tinctures of lead or mercury. Even currently many pediatricians and dentists attribute symptoms such as fever and irritability to teething. Evidence has shown, however, that there is usually another underlying explanation for the symptoms of irritability, fever and gingival irritation. The author speculates, based on a preliminary study that many times what is attributed to teething may actually be a primary HSV infection, and notes that teething occurrs concomitantly with the natural loss of maternal antibodies.

Key points/Summary: More symptoms are attributed to teething than may, in reality be associated with eruption of primary teeth.

Assessment of article: Interesting