Kids

Can a baby get pink eye? Get insights on the causes of pink eye in kids, home remedies and how to treat the condition.

What Causes Pink Eye in Babies

Also called conjunctivitis, pink eye is a common condition where your conjunctiva part of the eye is inflamed. The conjunctiva is a transparent membrane that forms a white lining on your eye. When inflamed, you may see some blood vessels which are easily visible on the conjunctiva making your eye to look pinkish or reddish in color.
Inflammation of your conjunctiva can be caused by many issues including infections, allergy, irritation and many more that we will discuss below. Usually, if pink eye is caused by bacterial and viral infection, it is very contagious.

Pink eye in babies’ symptoms

• When your baby’s one or both of the eye’s white part and the lower rim of both or either of the eyelids are red, there is a high chance that he is suffering from pink eye. Usually, when the baby’s immune system tries to fight the infection, the eyes may be filled with tears or become crusty or goopy.
• You should visit your doctor as soon as possible if you realize that he is showing some symptoms that may be related to pinkeye. If the germs are left untreated, they are likely to spread to the other eye or other people since the condition is very highly contagious.
• When your new-born has slight swelling of the eyes and redness on the conjunctiva is normal and may disappear after a short period of time. This usually is a short-lived conjunctivitis that results from reaction to eyedrops that they are given after they are born.

What are the causes of pinkeye in babies?

There are several conditions that cause pink eye in children. It is important for a mother to know the exact condition that has exposed her child to this problem. In that case, if you are not sure, don’t just try some medicines on your baby. You should visit your pediatrician who will carefully examine your baby to make sure treatment prescribed is helpful. The following are some of the reasons why your baby has pink eye:

1. Viral infection

Pink eye caused by viral infection is the most common type of conjunctivitis that affects toddlers. The condition is caused by a virus referred to as adenovirus, which also affects the respiratory system. Also, the herpes virus can as well result in pink eye in babies. This type of pink eye is very contagious but it usually clear away without treatment after undergoing its course which normally takes around 5-7 days. The said virus is very contagious to the fact that it can spread even by just sneezing or coughing.
This condition in most cases usually affect both of the eyes with symptoms including; swelling and reddening of the eyes, watery, burning and itchy eyes, and sensitiveness to much light.

2. Bacterial infection

This is a type of pink eye in babies caused by bacterial infection caused by a staphylococcus aureus, streptococcus pneumoniae and haemophilus influenza. The infection may affect both of your child’s eyes causing a discharge of thick eye mucus or pus in severe cases. This type of pink eye can be contagious as well but not as compared to the one caused by viral infection.

3. Allergic conjunctivitis in babies

This is a form of pink eye condition that results from allergic reaction triggered by animal dander, pollen, dust or mites. Some allergic pink eyes are seasonal while others occur when the allergens are facilitated to cause the condition.
This type of pink eye is not contagious and it may affect both eyes. In most cases it is usually associated with running nose and stuffiness. Other symptoms associated with allergic pink eye include; burning sensation and itchiness, watery eyes, sensitiveness to much light. The condition of your child may improve when the allergen is removed from his presence.

4. Pink eye from newborn eyedrops

Usually, while a baby is born, there are eyedrops that are put in his eyes to prevent bacterial infection and the eye-drops can sometime cause irritation to the eyes. This type of pink eye is sometime referred to as chemical conjunctivitis. The condition may be seen by your baby’s eyes swelling and the white part of the eye may become slightly red. This should not cause worry as the condition will resolve after some few days.

5. Blocked tear ducts

Sources have it that at least 20% of babies are both with either one or both of the tear ducts blocked or partially closed every year. This condition makes it hard for the eye to lubricate itself and there by resulting into pink eye in babies. Other conjunctivitis-like symptoms may include a white or yellowish discharge from the affected eye or both if all are affected, and a full brownish eye color. You may visit your doctor to find out what you should do for this case.

6. Irritation to the eye

Babies are usually very vulnerable and any kind of irritation can result into an issue. For example, if your baby is exposed to a light smoke he may end up developing pink eyes. Therefore you are supposed to make sure that your kid is not exposed to any kind of irritation.

7. Injury or trauma.

Your child’s eyes are very delicate and any slight pressure applied on them may result in tearing which may be associated with pink eye. Your child may accidentally put a finger in the eye since he is not even aware of what is going own. In that case, make sure your baby’s hands are covered well always to avoid this, and also, try to carefully cut short his nails.

Can a Baby get Pink Eye?

Just as a grown up person, when your baby is exposed to conditions that lead to pink eye, be sure he won’t be exempted from the problem. Usually a baby is placed under keen care and that usually tries to make it hard to be infected.
Usually, pink eye in babies may be itchy, a gooey-like discharge, with eye reddening and also you may notice your child trying to rub eyes due to a burning sensation. Those who have ever had the problem may describe it as a sandy feeling involved with irritation in the eye.
There are no specific tests that are used to determine the presence of pink eye in your child. Your doctor will diagnose will diagnose this condition by examining the symptoms.
Is pink eye common in babies?

• Sources have it that newborns are more susceptible to pink eye as compared to older kids because, their immune system is usually weak and therefore they cannot protect themselves from any kind of attack of such kind. In some cases, as we said above, a child may be born with blocked tear ducts and this is a direct condition that will expose him to the pink eye.
• Your child may have as well contacted the pink eye at birth if it happens the mother has sexual disease such as herpes simplex virus. However, you should not be worried if your baby is born with condition as it will clear off after it’s though with its course which may take about a week.

How pink eye in babies may be contracted
This condition is very contagious especially if it is caused by infections such as bacteria or virus. Weave said just by coughing or sneezing, your baby may receive this infection from people around him. If your child spend much of his time in a day care where he may happen to meet another child who has pink eye, there is possibility that he can get it. However do not isolate your kid from others, you can talk to your day care taker so that you people find a way of making your kids comfortable harmoniously.

Breast Milk for Pink Eye

If you usually spend some time with breast feeding mothers, by now you should be aware that breast milk can be used to treat pink eye in babies or even grownups. This is not just a myth but you can go ahead and try it as well.  Sources suggest that the most common medicine for eye infection is breast milk. This is not a new thing since people used breast milk to treat eye infections since in the 18^th century.
Some sources describe human breast milk as an emollient and cool when it comes to curing red eye immediately. Some studies reveal that conditions that cause pink eye in babies such as blocked tear ducts and cold usually disappear on their own with no treatments. However, for bacteria pink eye, results show that likelihood of mother’s breast milk treating this is very minimal.
What you should do immediately your child is born with pink eye is to let them be evaluated by your doctor because you may be dealing with a problem that may not be reversed if left unattended to.
What studies have on breast milk for pink eye
Verd in 2007: the writer published that he used to treat issues such as blocked tear ducts in babies with antibiotic eye drops and also with mother’s milk drops. The research suggests using mother’s milk on babies pink eye as a safe way. However, blocked tear ducts usually get well without medical intervention.
British journal ophthalmology:  suggests that effects of fresh breast milk can work against some common ocular pathogens. They found that donated milk has 100 percent samples of bacteria.

How long is Pink Eye contagious for Babies

Pink eye in babies remain to be contagious so long as the baby is undergoing tearing associated b with matted eyes. However, symptoms of this condition will get better after a short period of time around 3 to 7 days. Sources have it that the most contagious type of pink eye is the one that result from viral infection. It is then followed by an infection that results from bacterial infection as we have talked above.
Other issues that may lead to pink eye in babies are not considered to be contagious. When there are no more symptoms being identified, your child may have healed from the condition since it usually doesn’t take long, and it may go away without medical intervention.
However, if the pink eye is caused by bacteria, your doctor may prescribe some antibiotic eye drops or ointments which may help to speed up the healing.

Pink Eye in babies Home Remedies

Not unless your baby is suffering from pink eye caused by bacterial infection, medication is not necessarily important for this case. You may use some home treatment which may relieve your child’s pain and heal the condition as well. Here are some of the home remedies that have proved to be successful for pink eye in babies.

1. Mother’s breast milk

This is a home remedy that has been used for long time, even since the 18^th century to treat pink eye in babies. Several studies have been done for breast milk treatment to pink eye and many have confirmed that this is the way to go at home. The antibody in the breast milk prevents the bacteria from getting attached to the mucosal surface of the eye therefore limiting its growth.

2. Natural organic honey for pink eye in babies

Honey is another well-known home remedy that performs good work when it comes to treating pink eye. Natural honey contains anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that help to fight bacterial infection and calm down the inflammation brought about by pink eye. You just need to smear some honey on your baby’s eye and wash it off after some time with warm water and a cotton swab.

3. Colloidal Silver

This is highly effective remedy against highly infectious bacteria that cause infection on eyes of your infant. The remedy can be used both internally and externally and additionally it is suitable for people of all age groups and has no any side effect. It can be used to act as an eye wash for a soothing and calming your eyes for short time as possible.

4. Chamomile Tea for pink eye in babies

This is very helpful for kids who can drink tea on their own. This herbal tea helps in compressing pain and swelling. The tea is known to contain anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties which are very helpful in soothing irritation, reducing swelling and curing your red eye.

Baby Eye Infection yellow Discharge

Usually a newborn baby may have a condition whereby there is some discharge from the eyes. This condition may be due to infection or not. Often, the discharge may be yellowish and may appear some few days or weeks after birth. In some babies, the yellow discharge may clear and in this case it does not need any medical intervention.
There are some conditions that may call for doctor’s evaluation since infections can be involved as a cause of the discharge. Knowing the reason behind the yellow discharge is usually important while determining the correct treatment for the condition.
Neonatal conjunctivitis
During delivery via vagina, a baby may have exposure to bacteria or viruses that may be present in the birth canal. This may therefore result to eye infection known as neonatal conjunctivitis. The infection may result in a yellow discharge in company of redness and swollen eyelids.
This does not necessarily happen due to a mother having active virus or bacteria in her vagina. If it happens that a mother has a condition such as chlamydia that may cause problem to the baby, the doctor may recommend for a Caesarean section so that a baby’s exposure to the disease is reduced.
As we have shared above, blocked tear ducts can as well lead to discharge of yellowish pus from your baby’s eyes. This is not an infection and the condition usually clears on its own. However you may visit your doctor for more advice.

Pink Eye in Toddlers Treatment

Treatment for pink eye in babies will depend on what is the underlying condition to the problem. In most cases, there are conditions that will not require treatment but you can just find out which medication you can use to speed up the healing process of your child’s conjunctivitis.

1. Treatment for viral pink eye

In this case, there is no specific treatment recommended here as the condition will resolve after its course which last for about a week. You may gently clean the eye by use of a cotton ball by soaking it in lurk warm water to remove the gooey-like discharge. While cleaning, you should swab in one direction for both eyes and some time the child will feel batter.
Use each eye with its own cotton ball, if possible two to avoid transfer of germs. After cleaning you should dispose the cotton balls very well far from reach of someone else since the condition is contagious.

2. Treatment for bacterial conjunctivitis

Here your doctor may advise you to use some antibiotic eye drops and some creams to speed up the healing process. Also make sure to clean the eyes very well with clean lurk warm water each time you realize a discharge or pus accumulated around the eyes. Treatment should be done to both eyes even if it is one eye that is affected in this case.

3. Treatment for allergic conjunctivitis

If your child’s eyes are inflamed due to allergic reaction, your doctor may advise on treatment that is also used in treating conditions such as hay fever, such as antihistamines. However, you need to remove allergens or your baby from thing that cause allergy to his eyes. You may know thing is that caused allergy if you remove your baby from a certain environment. This may result in quick relief after some time.

When to see your doctor

• If your baby keeps own crying due to severe pain
• If your child have problems with vision
• When eye have increased swelling, itchiness, redness and tenderness around the eyes
• if you have a symptom of fever

More references

1. Pink eye in babies: https://www.babycenter.com/0_pinkeye-conjunctivitis-in-babies_10875.bc
2. Pink eye in toddlers- the bump: https://www.thebump.com/a/pinkeye-baby
3. Conjunctivitis: http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/eye-health-conjunctivitis#1
4. Breast milk as a medicine for pinkeye: https://www.lllc.ca/thursdays-tip-breastmilk-medicine
5. How long is pink eye contagious: http://www.allaboutvision.com/faq/pinkeye-contagious.htm

The one milestone many parents wish they could delay or at least skip to the end immediately, it is teething. Your kid will look adorable when he smiles and shows those two tiny bottom teeth, but the process of getting them is not easy for your baby or for you. The good news is, all the suffering isn’t for nothing. Teething, like crawling, walking and talking, is an important step that shows your child is on the right track developmentally, according to Tanny Josen, D.D.S., a pediatric dentist at Kid Island Dental in Long Island, New York.

When do Babies Start Teething?

A number of babies’ teeth begin to erupt between the ages of 4 to 6 months, though for some it may be earlier or later, as Dr. Josen says. And no matter what Grandma says, when your child’s first tooth pops in, it has nothing to do with smarts.
The age the baby cuts his or her first tooth depends on family history of teething and nothing more. So, if you got your teeth early, your child probably will too. Same thing if you were late.
Typically, the two bottom front teeth (central incisors) are the first to erupt, followed by the four upper front teeth (central and lateral incisors). But variations in the order may occur and doesn’t warrant any concern, Dr. Josen says. Your child should have a full set of primary (baby) teeth by the time he’s almost three.
Teething Milestones Parents Should Expect
Not all babies have teething symptoms. But for babies who aren’t as lucky, the arrival of those tiny teeth can cause a whole lot of misery. “Symptoms a child may have when teething are drooling, which can cause a rash on the chin or face; gum swelling and sensitivity; irritability; biting; or sleep problems,” Dr. Josen says.
Your baby may also rub her face, tug on her ears, or even refuse to eat and drink. Some parents report that their babies suffer from a mild fever, diarrhea, or runny nose, but Dr. Lasky says teething doesn’t cause these symptoms. “Instead, the tiny open wounds in the gums that result from the teeth erupting makes it more likely for the baby to catch a little bug,” she explains.
You can do quite a few things to help your teething baby. Cold will help numb the gums naturally. “I recommend chilling not freezing, a wet washcloth or a toy that you feel comfortable having your baby chew on,” Dr. Lasky says. Make sure the toy is age-appropriate, BPA-free, and nontoxic. If you choose to use a washcloth, chill a few in a plastic food-storage bag so they’ll be on hand when your child needs one.
Rubbing his gums with a clean finger or giving him cold food (like applesauce or pureed fruit) or drinks may also reduce the pain. If nothing is helping, check with your pediatrician, who may recommend that you use an over-the-counter pain reliever for babies, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Aspirin is off-limits for children because it is associated with Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious and life-threatening condition.
A couple of pain relief methods you shouldn’t turn to are teethers (also known as teething rings) and topical teething gels. “The teeth could puncture the teether and your baby could ingest the substance inside,” Dr. Lasky says. The FDA warns against using over-the-counter topical numbing preparations because they can be toxic to babies. Symptoms of teething usually disappear when the tooth breaks through the gum.

Signs of Teething

As we have discussed above, teething usually begins around 6 months of age. But it is normal for teething to start at any time between 3 months and 12 months of age. By the time your child is about 3 years old, he or she will have all 20 primary teeth. The lower front teeth usually come in first. Upper front teeth usually come in 1 to 2 months after the lower front teeth.
What are the symptoms?
Some babies are fussier than usual when they are teething. This may be because of soreness and swelling in the gums before a tooth comes through. These symptoms usually begin about 3 to 5 days before the tooth shows, and they disappear as soon as the tooth breaks the skin. Many babies don’t seem to be affected by teething.
Babies may bite on their fingers or toys to help relieve the pressure in their gums. They may also refuse to eat and drink because their mouths hurt. Many babies drool during teething, which can cause a rash on the chin, face, or chest.
Some of the symptoms of teething can be attributed to the dental follicle (sac containing the developing tooth) and the release of inflammatory agents during the tooth eruption.
Teething may cause the following symptoms and signs:

• Increased drooling
• Restlessness or decreased sleeping due to gum discomfort
• Refusal of food due to soreness of the gum region
• Fussiness that comes and goes
• Bringing the hands to the mouth
• Mild rasharound the mouth due to skin irritation secondary to excessive drooling
• Rubbing the cheek or ear region as a consequence of referred pain during eruption of the molars

Teething has not been shown to cause the following:

• High fever(especially over 101 degrees)
• Diarrhea, runny nose, and cough
• Prolonged fussiness
• Rashes on the body

How to help your baby be more comfortable while teething
Here are some tips to help your baby feel better while teething:

• Use a clean finger (or cold teething ring) to gently rub your baby’s gum for about 2 minutes at a time. Many babies find this soothing, although they may protest at first.
• Provide safe objects for your baby to chew on, such as teething rings.
• If needed, give your baby an over-the-counter pain reliever that is labeled for his or her specific age. Read and follow all instructions.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warn against using teething gel on a baby’s gums to reduce pain. The gel can make a baby’s throat numb. This may cause difficulty swallowing. The medicine in the gel may also harm a baby.

Teething Fever

Baby teething is a rite of passage for every little one and involves the movement of teeth in and then through the gums. Therefore, it’s no surprise that it can be very painful with some fever for them and, in turn, stressful for you.
But while you are waiting for those white peels to appear, it sometimes feels like every symptom can easily be put down to teething. To help this situation, here is a quick guide of what to expect from a little teether and when it might be a sign that something else is up. Not all babies will have all teething symptoms, and complications.
Increase in your baby’s temperature
A classic symptom of teething is a slightly raised temperature. You may find yourself with a baby thermometer glued to your hand, but it shouldn’t reach 100°F. Excessive dribbling is common, as the gums produce extra saliva to help those teeth come through.
Red in the face
You may find your baby sporting facial rashes and hot little cheeks as a result of all that extra saliva and action going on in their mouths.
Red in the mouth
If you are allowed even a tiny peek in there, you may see signs of sore gums in your baby’s mouth. There may perhaps even be tiny blisters or light bleeding where they have been rubbing to try to ease the pain. It’s thought that loose bowels occur during teething because there’s more saliva passing through their tummies than usual. It is also more acidic than usual, so can result in a very sore bottom.
Chewing everything they can get
Your little one cramming anything they can into their mouth – toy, spoon, and fist? Chewing can temporarily ease the pain of teething, so it’s not surprising. Save your fingers and your car keys with a good teether.  It’s likely your baby will go off their food for a while. Just keep their fluids up with lots of water and see if you can tempt them with a nice cold treat, like an ice pop, to soothe those throbbing gums.
Cranky pants
Irritable, grumpy and restless and who can blame them? You may find you feel the same, as everyone gets less sleep and your child demands more of you.
As much as the well-meaning around you will put everything down to teething, the next few symptoms can also be a sign of a more serious problem. So, keep your eyes out, trust your instinct and consult a medical professional if you are unsure of any of the following:
Vomiting and diarrhea
This can be an undesirable but natural side effect of all that dribbling, but equally it may be a sign of a stomach infection. If your baby keeps being sick, then consult your doctor.
Earache
If your baby keeps grabbing their ear in pain, it could be down to all that movement going on in the jaw. If it carries on, gets worse or seems to affect their hearing though, then your baby may have an ear infection. You’ll need to see your doctor if so.
Fever
A temperature of 100°F or above indicates a fever. While a slight rise in temperature is normal as a baby teething symptom, a fever is usually a symptom of another condition so you’ll want to get them checked out by your doctor.
Coughing
Whilst very common during teething, due to all that excess dribble and mucus running down baby’s throat, if the cough is persistent and accompanied by other symptoms such as a high temperature, you should contact your doctor.

Can a 2 month old baby be teething?

Teething can begin in infants as young as 2 months of age, even though the first tooth usually does not appear until about 6 months of age. Some dentists have noted a family pattern of early, average, or late teethers. Children who have not gotten the first tooth by 18 months should be evaluated by the child’s doctor.
Usually, the first tooth to erupt is one of the lower, central incisors. Some children will have a pattern of serial eruption of their teeth. Others will have multiple dental eruptions at the same time. As the tooth penetrates the gums, the area may appear slightly red or swollen over the tooth. Sometimes a fluid-filled area similar to a blood blister may be seen over the erupting tooth.
Some teeth may be more sensitive than others when they erupt. The first tooth to erupt may be the most sensitive. Sometimes, the larger molars cause more discomfort due to their larger surface area that can’t slice through the gum tissue as an erupting incisor is capable of doing. Most children have a complete set of 20 deciduous teeth (known as baby teeth or milk teeth) by 30 months of age.

Can my baby be teething at 3 months?

Most babies cut their first teeth at about six months; only 1 percent cut their first tooth before 4 months. Parents and pediatricians alike often attribute mild transient symptoms such as irritability to teething, even if teeth don’t appear for months afterwards. Many babies do have mild symptoms when teething, but parents should rule out other illnesses before blaming potentially serious symptoms such as diarrhea on teething.
Teething infants may be more fussy and irritable than usual because of discomfort in the gum above the about-to-erupt tooth. Irritability often begins around four days before the tooth erupts and continues approximately three days after the emergence of the tooth. If your baby is irritable and you can feel the tooth under the gum, if the area looks bumpy, or if the tip of the tooth appears, teething might be causing his irritability.
Increased Drooling
When your baby’s tooth is about to emerge, he may produce more drool than usual. Although drooling is a normal part of an infant’s development, it sometimes increases with the teething phase. Excessive drool may cause a baby to develop a rash on his chest, neck and chin. Applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly to the susceptible areas helps prevent rashes from developing. Some babies also develop reddened cheeks, unrelated to drooling, while teething.

What can you do when your baby is Teething?

Many parents suspect that teething causes fever and diarrhea, but researchers say this isn’t true. Teething can cause signs and symptoms in the mouth and gums — but not elsewhere in the body.
What’s the best way to soothe sore gums?
If your teething baby seems uncomfortable, consider these simple tips:

• Rub your baby’s gums.Use a clean finger or moistened gauze pad to rub your baby’s gums. The pressure can ease your baby’s discomfort.
• Keep it cool.A cold washcloth, spoon or chilled teething ring can be soothing on a baby’s gums. Don’t give your baby a frozen teething ring, however. Contact with extreme cold can be harmful.
• Try hard foods.If your baby is eating solid foods, you might offer something edible for gnawing — such as a peeled and chilled cucumber or carrot. Keep a close eye on your baby, however. Any pieces that break off might pose a choking hazard.
• Dry the drool.Excessive drooling is part of the teething process. To prevent skin irritation, keep a clean cloth handy to dry your baby’s chin. Consider applying a moisturizer such as a water-based cream or lotion.
• Try an over-the-counter remedy.If your baby is especially cranky, acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Children’s Motrin, others) might help.

Avoid teething medications that contain the pain reliever benzocaine. Benzocaine products have been associated with methemoglobinemia — a rare but serious condition that reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also has recommended that parents not use homeopathic teething gels or tablets, which might pose a health risk to babies.

How long does it take for a baby to Teeth?

Many babies do not sprout their first teeth until they are a year old, so try not to worry if your baby is still giving you gummy smiles. If you still don’t see any sign of a tooth appearing by the time your baby is one year old, mention it at his next check-up. If your baby was before complete maturity, he may start teething a little later.
If your baby has signs of teething, but also seems to be in huge amounts of pain and is crying inconsolably, see your doctor. Teething can be painful, but it shouldn’t be a terrible ordeal for your baby.
How long will my baby have his first teeth for?
Your baby’s milk teeth won’t fall out until his permanent teeth are ready to come through. This will happen when he’s about six years old. Not sure if your baby’s teething yet, you can visit your health care provider who can give you more advice on how to take care of your baby.

How early can a baby start teething?

What you should know is that all babies are different when it comes to this growth process. But your baby will probably get their first tooth some time during their first year. Keep reading to find out how to spot when your baby is teething and what order your baby’s teeth are likely to appear in.
When do babies start teething?
Some babies are born with their first teeth. Others start teething before they are 4 months old, and some after 12 months. But most babies start teething at around 6 months.
Teething symptoms
Baby teeth sometimes emerge with no pain or discomfort at all. At other times, you may notice that:

• your baby’s gum is sore and red where the tooth is coming through
• one cheek is flushed
• your baby is dribbling more than usual
• they are gnawing and chewing on things a lot
• they are more fretful than usual

Some people think that teething causes other symptoms, such as diarrhea and fever, but there’s no evidence to support this. You know your baby best. If they have any symptoms that are causing you concern, then seek medical advice.

How Long Does Teething Last

Your baby’s teeth will help allow her to eat a well-rounded diet. Without them, she could be stuck eating pureed everything, forever. Tooth eruption means your child is acquiring the ability to tear into meat, bite into a plum, and chew beans, so teething has an indirect effect on her gaining weight, strengthening immunity, and improving bone and brain development.
Your baby’s teeth will help him/her emerging language skills. “As babies acquire teeth and can increasingly bite and chew more textured foods, they are exercising and building the underlying oral-motor musculature for speech development of the jaw, cheeks, tongue, and lips,” says Sherry Artemenko, a speech-language pathologist and founder of Play on Words. Plus, your child will need to use her teeth for developing later sounds.

Baby Teeth Chart

Teeth vary in size, shape and their location in the jaws. These differences enable teeth to work together to help you chew, speak and smile. They also help give your face its shape and form. At birth people usually have 20 baby (primary) teeth, which start to come in (erupt) at about 6 months of age. They fall out (shed) at various times throughout childhood. By age 21, all 32 of the permanent teeth have usually erupted.
More references

1. When do babies start teething: http://www.parents.com/baby/health/baby-teeth/when-do-babies-start-teething/
2. Teething: http://www.parents.com/baby/health/baby-teeth/when-do-babies-start-teething/
3. Teething signs and symptoms: https://www.babycenter.com/0_teething-signs-and-symptoms_10357437.bc