Prevalence of Teething Symptoms in Primary Teeth and Associated Factors: Cross-Sectional Study in Children aged 12-23 months in Pelotas, Brazil

Abstract

Objective: To identify the main teething symptoms reported by mothers and associated factors. Material and Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted with mothers of children aged 12-23 months visiting 12 public health care centers during National Children Vaccination day in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, in 2011. Mothers were interviewed and information on teething symptoms and socioeconomic (family structure, income, maternal schooling and child skin color) and demographic variables (maternal age and child sex) was collected. Chi-square, Fisher exact test and Poisson regression analyses were performed (P<0.05). Results: A total of 188 mother-child pairs were interviewed. Teething symptoms were reported by 91.93% mothers. Symptoms most frequently reported were excessive salivation (67.7%), irritability (65.2%), fever (44.1%), feeding difficulty (34.2%) and sleep disturbance (31.7%). Teething symptoms were not associated with socioeconomic and demographic variables investigated (p>0.05). Conclusion: Most mothers linked children symptoms with primary teeth eruption. Excessive salivation and irritability were the symptoms most reported by mothers. Socioeconomic and demographic variables were not statistically associated with maternal report of teething symptoms in their children. Dentists should provide adequate orientation to mothers and follow up their children. Dentists should refer to medical care services if symptoms persist, once these symptoms can be attributed to other causes.

Teething symptoms in children with congenital Zika syndrome: A 2‐year follow‐up

“…Increased salivation and irritation were the most commonly reported signs, corroborating previous findings, evidencing that the manifestations perceived in children with congenital Zika syndrome are similar to those identified in children who did not present a general health condition that demanded special care.…”

“…In addition, mothers were questioned about the presence of changes (gingival itching, irritation, coryza, fever, increased salivation, diarrhoea, and restless sleep) during the eruption phase of the child's teeth. A positive response to any of the symptoms was considered; thus, assessing the frequency of occurrence of all reported symptom forms, number of symptoms, use of medications to relieve symptomatology, and type of medication used were also investigated.…”

“…The investigation of the occurrence of local and systemic manifestations related to the period of dental eruption has been conducted over a wide period of time through studies of sectional and longitudinal nature, involving both primary caregivers and health professionals, such as paediatricians…”

“…2 In this sense, the American Academy of Pediatrics reports in the guideline that addresses children's oral health care that whereas many children have no apparent difficulties, teething can lead to localized areas of discomfort, irritability, and excessive salivation. 3 The investigation of the occurrence of local and systemic manifestations related to the period of dental eruption has been conducted over a wide period of time through studies of sectional 4 and longitudinal nature, 5,6 involving both primary caregivers 4,5 and health professionals, such as paediatricians. 1 The dental literature lacks scientific evidence on the development of primary dentition in children with congenital Zika syndrome, as well as a description of the main events related to this outcome.…”

Teething Beliefs, Misconceptions, and Practices Among Mothers Attending a Tertiary Hospital in Nigeria: Implications for Child Health and Clinical Practice

“…[15][16][17]22,24 Diarrhoea and fever were the leading symptoms among respondents in various studies in different developing countries. 1,12,16,25 These misconceptions have grave consequences for the health of children. For example, mothers could erroneously believe that these symptoms are innocuous and therefore, fail to seek or delay medical interventions for their wards.…”