Duration
The duration of the teeth is different from child to child. It is not uncommon for increased saliva and red cheeks to occur over a period of several days to weeks. Afterwards diarrhea is added for a few days.
However, until the teeth are actually visible, some such episodes may occur. Some children have the eruption of their teeth already after a few days, in other children there are phases of diarrhoea during teething lasting several weeks. Typically, babies’ first teeth appear at the age of six to eight months. Then the other teeth follow little by little until the milk teeth are completed at the age of two to three years. The symptoms of teething are typically most pronounced in the first teeth, and they subside over time.
When do I have to go to the pediatrician?
If diarrhea occurs during teething, a visit to the pediatrician is not necessarily necessary at first. However, there are some signs where one should go to the pediatrician. For example, if you have a high fever (over 38.5 to 39°C) while teething, you should see your pediatrician.
Changes in bowel movements (especially color and odor) may also indicate causes other than teething and should therefore be examined. If signs of fluid deficiency occur in the child, care should be taken to ensure that the child drinks enough. However, if the child is unable to reach his or her drinking volume, one should also go to the pediatrician.
The pediatrician is primarily responsible for ruling out other causes of the symptoms of diarrhea when teething. He should first look into the mouth to see if the teeth have already erupted. This could allow a prognosis of the duration of the symptoms.
The pediatrician should also listen to the baby’s stomach and palpate it. If she can hear increased or especially few intestinal noises, this could be an indication of a gastrointestinal infection. The pediatrician may also write down medication such as suppositories or fever juice if symptoms such as fever are present. These do not need to be taken when the temperature is slightly elevated, but can help if the fever rises more sharply. The pediatrician should also check for signs of fluid deficiency.