##article.abstract##
Background: The eruption of primary teeth is
preceded by a number of signs and symptoms, often
a source of concern to parents. Traditional information
passed down over the years from generation to
generation has produced extensive folklore of
information and some misinformation on primary tooth
eruption.
Objectives: The study investigated the perceptions
of mothers on teething and the various measures used
in the treatment of teething.
Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out on
421 mothers in Badagry local government, a peri
urban local government area in Lagos State Nigeria.
Mothers with at least one child between the ages of
9 to 40 months participated in the study. Information
on primary tooth eruption, associated symptoms and
treatment was obtained from the mothers using a
pre-tested questionnaire.
Results: The mean age of the mothers was
28.87years. A total of 48.0% of the mothers, were
educated up to secondary school level. The mean
age at eruption of the first primary tooth was
4.955months (SD=2.493). Diarrhoea and fever were
the commonest symptoms mothers associated with
eruption of primary teeth. However, 55.2% of the
mothers were not certain on the exact reasons for
symptoms experienced by their children during the
eruption of the primary teeth. The commonest
preventive measures used by the mothers were
teething powder, antibiotics and native herbs.
Conclusion: Fever, diarrhoea, rash, ear tugging, or
signs of any infection should never be attributed to
teething. This assumption may delay necessary
medical treatment. Scientific information on teething
should be a part of oral health educational packages.
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