We understand that teething can be a stressful time for children, families, and caregivers, as children can get fussier and refuse items that once comforted them. Our goal is to collaborate with you to provide your child comfort while also keeping them safe and healthy. Our policy is guided by various sources, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Dental Association (ADA).
Teething can look different for every child. Some children may have teeth erupt without even noticing, while others may display more noticeable signs and symptoms.
Some symptoms of teething include:
- Swollen, tender gums
- Crying or fussiness beyond what is typical for your child
- Increased temperature, but still below the 100.4 fever threshold
- Increased desire to put items in their mouths (including hands, feet, toys)
- Increased desire to chew on hard foods
- Excess drool which may cause an irritation rash on the face
- Coughing
- Rubbing their cheek or pulling their ear
- Change in eating or sleeping patterns
Symptoms NOT related to teething include:
- Temperature of 100.4 or higher
- Diarrhea
- Rash on the body, excluding the face around the mouth
*Please note: If your child has any of these symptoms while at school, you will be called to pick them up.
If your child is teething, please inform their teacher so they are aware of the situation. Please notify them of any remedies or medicine you have provided for your child to help with their comfort.
Methods we DO recommend:
- Chewing: toys, foods, fingers, clean washcloth
- Cold items: teethers, cold foods
- Massaging the gums
- Pain-relief medication: Acetaminophen or ibuprofen
Methods we DO NOT recommend/allow as suggested by the AAP and ADA:
- Baltic amber teething necklaces as they can be a strangulation hazard
- Medications containing numbing compounds such as benzocaine as they can numb the throat and interfere with swallowing
- Homeopathic remedies including belladonna as they can cause difficulty breathing and carry a seizure risk