Can Teething Cause Fever? What Parents Need To Know

Your baby experiences one of the most important developmental stages, known as teething, along with potential temperature fluctuations. From little sleep to soiled cloth bibs and a fussy baby, parents expect a challenging path when their child starts to teethe. Can teething cause fever?

When Do Babies Start Teething?

The start of teething occurs between 3 months and 12 months, yet many babies show signs during the 6-month stage. A pattern exists in baby tooth emergence since the bottom front teeth develop first, followed by the top front teeth, and the remaining teeth appear over two years.

Infants can have natal teeth at birth, yet their first teeth may appear anytime between birth and their first anniversary. All 20 primary teeth of a child will appear in their mouth before they turn 3 years old.

Common signs of teething include:

• Drooling more than usual
• Chewing on fingers, toys, or anything within reach
• Swollen or tender gums
• Fussiness or irritability
• A child may develop irregular changes in their diet or rest routines.

Does Teething Cause a Fever?

No, most pediatric experts confirm that normal teething does not create a true fever exceeding 100.4°F (38°C), even though some parents report minor temperature increases in their babies' bodies when they are teething.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states that fevers that occur during teething are generally related to other illnesses rather than the teething process itself.

• A viral infection similar to a cold outbreak can occur.
• Ear infections
• Hand, foot, and mouth disease
• Additional childhood sicknesses tend to manifest at the same time as teeth emerge.
  

What Is Fever in a Baby?

The medical definition of a fever describes elevated body temperature at 100.4°F (38°C) and above measured through rectal assessment. The body produces fevers as its defense mechanism against infections and inflammatory processes to combat damaging pathogens.

Signs of Fever in Babies

• Warm or flushed skin
• Sweating
• Irritability or fussiness
• Sleepiness or lethargy
• Poor appetite
• Shivering or chills

What Causes Teething Fever?

The term "teething fever" is frequently used, but experts note that the actual teething process does not produce fevers reaching 100.4 °F (38°C) or higher. A minor body temperature rise that parents notice during teething is considered a low-grade fever. So what's behind it?

1. Inflammation of the Gums

When baby teeth emerge through the gums, they initiate inflammation in the affected area. Baby cheeks can become warm during the teething process, which leads to slight body temperature rises without reaching fever levels.

2. Increased Exposure to Germs

Infants who are teething display the instinct to place objects inside their mouths. The habit of excessively touching the mouth to soothe sore gums exposes babies to bacteria and viruses, which could trigger genuine infections that result in genuine fevers.

3. Coinciding Illnesses

Teething typically starts between 4 to 7 months of age, which coincides with the period when babies develop their immune system and become more exposed to the outside world and contacts.

4. Misinterpreted Symptoms

Some of the symptoms associated with teething are similar to signs of fever, such as having red cheeks or drooling a lot, or waking at night.

How Long Does a Fever Last While Teething?

If your baby is having a mild fever, which is not above 100.4°F or 38°C as a result of inflammation in the gums caused by teething, it should only take a day or two at most, most probably right from the time the actual teeth start to show through the gums.

How to Treat Teething Fever

Below are some other safe and efficient ways that can help your baby to be comfortable should they have a slightly above normal body temperature while teething:

1. Use Teething Toys or Rings

Other teething symptoms include sore, red, and swollen gums. It is, therefore, advisable to use chilled but not frozen teething rings. Other safe options include silicone teethers or water-filled rings. When choosing any of these, make sure that they do not contain BPA and that they are clean.

One great option is the Momcozy Water Fillable Teether (Green and Pink, 2 pcs). These teethers work safely without BPA because you can put water in them and chill them for extended comfort. Their smooth shape works best for new gripping babies to hold.

2. Offer a Cool Washcloth

To ease pressure and pain in your baby's gums, they can chew on a clean, damp, and cool cloth.

3. Hydration Is Key

• Maintain your baby as hydrated with breast or formula milk or a few turns of water (over 6 months).
• Being unwell can be further aggravated by dehydration.

4. Pain Relief Medications (Do Not Use Freely)

• For an increased degree of fussiness or low-grade fever:
• In infants, use infant acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin) according to the doctor’s instructions.
• No infant under 6 months should receive ibuprofen.
• Never use the wrong dosage according to your baby’s weight.

5. Comfort Measures

• Excess cuddles and will help a grumpy, irritated baby.
• Massage gently the gums with a clean finger.

Is My Baby Sick or Just Teething?

One of the questions that new parents often ask: Is my baby sick?. Now, they are just teething. The signs may blend, and one is able to confuse what is normal behavior when a baby is teething or when the baby is unwell.

For your convenience, here’s a quick reference to compare your baby’s symptoms to their condition:

Other Symptoms of Teething Babies

It is good to note that teething symptoms vary from one child to another; however, some of the common signs include:

• Salivation: Saliva overproduction makes one salivate and drool excessively, such that one may develop a rash around the mouth or chin.
• Chewing and biting: Infants relieve their pressure by biting their hands, toys or any other object within reach.

Can Teething Cause Diaper Rash?

To the readers’ chagrin, the answer is – yes, it is possible for teething to cause diaper rash, though not directly.

Here’s how:

• Teething may cause more frequent swallowing of saliva, especially when the child drools a lot.
• This can make the stools less firm or even softer and slightly more acidic than the normal state.
• The watery consistency of their stool may cause discomfort to the tender skin of the baby and result in a diaper rash, which is not serious, though.

Does Teething Cause Poor Sleep in Babies

Teething causes temporary sleep interruptions. Sore gum pain interrupts daytime naps and increases nighttime awake time.

Common teething-related sleep issues include:

• Trouble falling asleep
• Waking more often than usual
• Fussing upon waking
• The baby rejects sleeping in a flat position due to sensitive gum tissue pressure.

How to Ease Your Baby’s Teething Discomfort

Here are some various approved methods that exist to provide relief from teething pain while reducing the baby's fussy behavior.

1. Multi-Sensory Teether Toys

Silicone teether sets like the Momcozy Baby Teether Toys, your baby can explore different material types and shapes on these devices, which help their painful gums. Gum reliefs made from food-grade materials are designed to massage both front and back gum areas safely.

2. Comfort Feeding

Babies benefit from nursing sessions or bottle meals when they need emotional support. Keep teethers ready for when the tooth appears to reduce discomfort but avoid use if the tooth has fully emerged.

3. Pain Relief (if needed)

Talk to your pediatrician about giving your baby a small amount of acetaminophen or ibuprofen when nighttime pain makes your baby uncomfortable. Medication can both lessen pain and lower minor temperature increases at the same time.

Conclusion

Babies and their parents find teething very hard to deal with. The teething period includes crying episodes accompanied by saliva and sleep interruptions, yet it rarely increases body temperature to the fever range. The answer to your question about fever during teething is straightforward: it does not happen. Small temperature increases can happen during teething, but true fevers above 100.4° F (38° C) will most likely stem from an illness.