How can I tell if my son is teething?

[charlotte121]

Ds has been dribbling for months now and I have had the suspicion that his teeth would be soon to follow. Yesterday he developed a bit of a temp which i have been controling with calpol. He has also been very grizzley with a bit of a dip in his appertite. He doesnt seem ill, just a little uncomfortable and his cheeks are flushed and pink so im thinking perhaps he's got a tooth coming through. Does this sound familiar to anyone, or should i get him checked out at the doctors just incase???

sorry im a bit of a hypocondriact!!!

Sounds very familiar, but if you are worried trust your instinct and see the doc, they really won't mind.
But yes, it does sound a lot like teething as well. Feel his gums, can you feel any hard lumps just below the surface at the front? The bottom ones usually come through first. Have a look - do the gums look bumpy? When teeth first cut through they look like a little black line on the gum. Try giving him a cold teething ring, or rub your finger on an ice cube and rub it on his gums. If he seems to like it, that also would seem to indicate teething. Is he chewing his fingers or fists a lot? Does he seem to be doing more chomping on things than usual?

However, as I said, if you're not sure DO take him to the doctor just to to make sure, they will be only too happy to check him over and reassure you, they always are with babies.

Is he chewing his fists/fingers? If he does this normally is it more 'frantic' now? To my mind that's probably teething. But IME teething rarely causes a temperature (contentious, I know, and lots of people would disagree) so, if the temp doesn't respond to Calpol, or if it lasts for more than a couple of days, take him to the GP.

Sometimes when they teeth the cheeks can get very hot, so much so that they chap. If this is happening, make sure you rub them with something blandly moisturising to prevent it. Aveeno is very good for this.

BTW, how old is he?

he's perked up again now as i gave him calpol about 40 mins ago. doc is gonna phone me. Im pretty sure it is teething but im going to get it checked just incase. just managed to get a little bit of a sandwhich down him and some water which also seems to have done him the world of good and now he seems his old self again. Although give it an hour or so and the calpol will have worn off and i'll be back to here i started. Thanks for the advice nehow x

im a 1st time mum and i think my daughter is teething wot do i do

this is doormats daughter