Teething Syndrome

**Semantic type:** Disease or Syndrome

**Definition:** An expected condition experienced by children during the emergence of deciduous teeth. Though a full set of 20 primary teeth takes more than two years to emerge, teething syndrome may be variably noted from the first paired eruption (usually at the sixth month) until the last. Characteristically, irritability, inflamed gingivae, drooling and chewing on solid objects may be seen several days prior to the eruption with rapid resolution. Typically, the lower central incisors appear first followed by the upper central incisors. Molars and canine teeth are the last to erupt. Anecdotal associations with fever and diarrhea are misattributed.