At around 6 months of age, the first tooth begins to erupt. Your child might get fussy around this period. You might notice increased finger sucking, drooling, loss of appetite, and sleep disturbances. You should bring your child to a doctor if they have fever and other symptoms such as diarrhea which are not related to teething.
Biting on a cold teething toy and gentle massaging of the gums will help to reduce teething discomfort. The cold and pressure help to alleviate teething pain. There are several over-the-counter topical teething gels that are available, however parents should seek professional advise prior to using them due to potential for toxicity.
Contributed by Dr. Sim CJ, updated 28th July 2015