How to prepare for a video visit about Teething (Guidance)

Audience: pediatric

Teething is a natural process when a baby's first teeth start to come through the gums. It often causes discomfort, fussiness, and sometimes mild symptoms like drooling or chewing on objects. Preparing for a video visit about teething helps you share important information with your healthcare provider and get advice on how to comfort your child. During the visit, you can discuss your baby's symptoms, feeding, and behavior. Telemedicine can help you get guidance without leaving home, but it cannot replace in-person exams if your child has serious symptoms. This guide explains how to prepare for the video visit, what telemedicine can and cannot do for teething concerns, and when to seek urgent care. It also includes common questions parents ask and tips to support your baby through teething.

Red flags — go in person / ER

• High fever (above 38°C or 100.4°F) lasting more than 24 hours — seek urgent medical care.
• Difficulty breathing, swallowing, or excessive drooling — get emergency help immediately.
• Severe diarrhea, vomiting, or signs of dehydration (few wet diapers, dry mouth) — contact healthcare provider promptly.

What telemedicine can do

• Assess common teething symptoms through history and visual inspection.
• Provide advice on comfort measures and feeding during teething.
• Help determine if in-person evaluation is needed.

What telemedicine cannot do

• Diagnose or treat serious infections or other illnesses mimicking teething.
• Manage emergency conditions such as breathing difficulties or dehydration.
• Perform physical exams beyond video capability.

What is Teething and Common Signs

Teething is when your baby's first teeth, called "baby teeth" or "primary teeth," begin to break through the gums. This usually starts around 6 months of age but can vary. Common signs include:

These signs often come and go and usually do not cause a high fever or severe illness.

How to Prepare for Your Video Visit

Before your telemedicine appointment, gather helpful information to share with the healthcare provider:

Being ready helps the visit go smoothly and makes sure you get the best advice.

What Telemedicine Can and Cannot Do for Teething

Telemedicine can:

Telemedicine cannot:

If your baby has severe symptoms, an in-person visit is important.

Comfort Tips for Your Baby During Teething

You can help soothe your baby’s discomfort with these safe methods:

Always supervise your baby with teething toys to prevent choking.

When to Seek Urgent Care

While teething can cause mild symptoms, certain signs mean your baby needs prompt medical attention:

If you notice these, seek emergency care immediately rather than relying on telemedicine.

How to prepare for your tele-visit

• Note your baby's age and any medical history.
• Observe and write down your baby's symptoms and their timing.
• Prepare a list of questions or concerns to discuss.
• Set up a quiet, well-lit space for the video call.
• Ensure your device is charged and has a stable internet connection.
• Have your baby nearby for visual examination if needed.

After your tele-visit

• Follow the healthcare provider's advice on soothing your baby.
• Monitor your baby's symptoms and note any changes.
• Use recommended comfort measures safely.
• Seek in-person care if symptoms worsen or red flags appear.
• Schedule follow-up appointments if advised.

FAQs

Is drooling a normal part of teething?

Yes, increased drooling is a common sign of teething. It happens because your baby's mouth produces more saliva as the teeth come in.

Can teething cause a fever?

Teething may cause a slight increase in temperature, but a high fever is not typical. If your baby has a fever above 38°C (100.4°F), it may be due to another illness and should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.

What can I give my baby to relieve teething pain?

Safe options include chilled (not frozen) teething rings or a cool, damp washcloth to chew on. Avoid teething gels or medications unless recommended by your healthcare provider.

When should I worry about my baby's teething symptoms?

Seek urgent care if your baby has a high fever lasting more than a day, difficulty breathing or swallowing, severe diarrhea or vomiting, signs of dehydration, or excessive bleeding or swelling in the mouth.

Can a video visit replace an in-person exam for teething?

Telemedicine can help assess common teething symptoms and provide advice, but it cannot replace a full physical exam. If your baby has serious symptoms, an in-person visit is important.

Sources

1. Teething — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine / National Institutes of Health.
2. Teething: Symptoms and Remedies — Mayo Clinic.
3. Caring for Your Baby: Teething — American Academy of Pediatrics.
4. Teething and Oral Health — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

This telemedicine guidance is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for in-person medical care. If your child has serious or worsening symptoms, seek prompt medical attention from a healthcare professional.