Symptoms:
The baby's gums become swollen and tender, and he becomes irritable and restless.

Cause:
An infant's teeth begin developing months before birth. In fact, the buds begin appearing in the fetus by the fifth or sixth week of pregnancy!

All 20 teeth will begin coming through over two and a half years following birth, beginning about 4-8 months of age.

Treatment:
• Massage the baby's gums, beginning before the teeth appear. Wrap a piece of clean gauze around your finger, and rub the gums gently. This removes bacteria and gets him used to having your finger in his mouth.

• Place teething rings in the refrigerator and then, when cold, give them to him to mouth. This feels good on the gums. If the baby is 6 months or more old, a clean, cold, washcloth does well.

• Wrap a piece of cold apple in a wet child-size washcloth, and let the infant mash on it to help his gums.