Teething syndrome

This code represents the constellation of signs and symptoms that may accompany the eruption of primary teeth in infants and young children. These symptoms are typically mild and transient, often including irritability, drooling, gum swelling, and sometimes a low-grade fever. It describes a physiological process rather than a disease.

This code is appropriate when a healthcare provider documents "teething" or "teething syndrome" as the primary reason for an encounter, or as a contributing factor to other mild, non-specific symptoms in an infant. Documentation should clearly indicate that the symptoms are attributed to the eruption of teeth and are not indicative of a more serious underlying condition.

• Do not use this code for symptoms that are severe, prolonged, or clearly attributable to another medical condition (e.g., otitis media, viral infection).
• Consider co-reporting with symptom codes (e.g., R68.12 for fussiness) if specific symptoms are documented and treated, but ensure teething is the primary cause.
• Avoid using this code if the documentation suggests a definitive diagnosis other than teething, even if teething is also present.