Can Babies Get A Fever From Teething?

Teething may cause mild temperature rises, but true fevers are usually due to infections, not teething itself.

The Teething Process and Its Effects on Babies

Teething is a natural milestone in a baby’s development. It typically begins around 4 to 7 months of age, though some infants may start earlier or later. During this phase, the baby’s teeth push through the gums, causing discomfort and various symptoms. Parents often notice increased drooling, gum swelling, irritability, and a tendency for babies to chew on objects to relieve pressure.

While teething is often blamed for many symptoms, it’s important to understand exactly what it can and cannot cause. The question “Can Babies Get A Fever From Teething?” is one that parents frequently ask because fever can be worrying in infants. Understanding the biological mechanisms behind teething helps clarify why fever might or might not be linked.

The eruption of teeth involves inflammation of the gums as the tooth breaks through. This inflammation can cause localized discomfort and slight increases in body temperature. However, this rise rarely reaches the level classified as a fever (above 100.4°F or 38°C). Instead, babies might show a mild temperature elevation that is more of a low-grade response rather than an actual fever caused by illness.

Why Do Parents Often Associate Fever with Teething?

Parents naturally seek explanations when their babies become irritable and unwell. Since teething coincides with the age when babies start to develop fevers from common viral infections like colds or ear infections, it’s easy to assume one causes the other.

Babies explore their environment by putting objects into their mouths during teething. This behavior increases exposure to germs, making infections more likely during this period. Hence, many infants develop fevers around the same time they are teething—but it’s usually not the teething itself causing the fever.

Medical professionals emphasize that while mild fussiness and slight temperature rises can accompany teething, significant fevers should prompt an evaluation for other causes such as respiratory infections or urinary tract infections.

Common Symptoms Attributed to Teething

Drooling: Excess saliva production is typical due to gum irritation.
Irritability: Babies may be cranky or restless because of gum pain.
Chewing: Increased biting or gnawing on objects helps relieve pressure.
Slight Temperature Rise: Mild warmth under 100.4°F (38°C) can occur but not true fever.
Swollen Gums: Redness and tenderness where teeth are emerging.

These symptoms are generally short-lived and manageable at home with comfort measures like cold teething rings or gentle gum massages.

The Science Behind Fever: What Actually Causes It?

Fever is a complex physiological response triggered by the immune system when fighting off infections such as viruses or bacteria. It involves raising the body’s set-point temperature in the brain’s hypothalamus to create an environment less hospitable for pathogens.

Infections stimulate immune cells to release chemicals called pyrogens that signal the brain to increase body temperature. This process helps enhance immune function but also causes discomfort and lethargy in babies.

In contrast, teething is primarily a mechanical process involving local gum irritation without systemic infection or immune activation strong enough to induce fever. While inflammation is present at the eruption site, it doesn’t usually produce pyrogens at levels needed for true fever.

Differentiating Between Teething Symptoms and Infection

Parents should watch for signs indicating an infection rather than attributing all symptoms to teething:

Symptom	Typical of Teething	Indicates Possible Infection
Mild Gum Swelling	Yes	No
Slight Temperature Rise (<100.4°F)	Possible	No
High Fever (>100.4°F)	No	Yes – Seek Medical Attention
Persistent Cough or Runny Nose	No	Yes – Signs of Respiratory Infection
Lethargy or Poor Feeding	No	Yes – Possible Illness Requiring Care
Diarrhea or Vomiting	No (sometimes mild GI upset reported)	Yes – Potential Infection or Other Issue

Recognizing these differences ensures timely medical intervention if needed while avoiding unnecessary worry over normal teething discomforts.

The Role of Mild Temperature Elevation During Teething Explained

Sometimes parents notice their baby feels warmer than usual during teething episodes but wonder if this counts as a fever. Mild temperature elevation up to about 99°F (37.2°C) is common due to increased blood flow and inflammation in the gums.

This slight rise is part of your baby’s natural inflammatory response as new teeth push through sensitive tissues. It rarely exceeds this mild level because there isn’t systemic infection involved.

A few studies have shown that while some infants experience low-grade temperature spikes during teething periods, these are short-lived and do not reach clinically significant fevers requiring treatment.

The Impact of Other Factors on Baby’s Temperature During Teething

Besides local gum irritation, other factors might contribute to slight warmth:

Mild dehydration: Excess drooling can lead to fluid loss if not replaced adequately.
Irritability: Crying increases metabolic rate temporarily raising body heat.
Lack of sleep: Poor sleep quality during discomfort can affect temperature regulation.
Dressing too warmly: Overbundling your baby may artificially raise skin temperature readings.

These elements must be accounted for when assessing whether your infant truly has a fever during teething episodes.

Treating Discomfort Without Mistaking Fever Symptoms from Teething?

Managing your baby’s pain during tooth eruption focuses primarily on soothing irritated gums and providing comfort without unnecessary medications unless advised by your pediatrician.

Here are safe ways you can help:

Cold Objects: Chilled (not frozen) teething rings or clean washcloths offer relief by numbing inflamed gums.
Mild Gum Massage: Gently rubbing gums with a clean finger reduces pressure sensations.
Pain Relievers: Acetaminophen or ibuprofen may be used under doctor guidance if discomfort disrupts sleep or feeding.
Keeps Baby Hydrated: Ensure fluids are adequate especially if drooling increases fluid loss.
Avoid Hard Foods: Solid foods too early might worsen gum pain; stick with soft purees until teeth fully erupt.

Avoid topical numbing gels containing benzocaine unless specifically recommended by healthcare providers due to safety concerns in infants.

The Importance of Monitoring Temperature Accurately at Home

Using reliable thermometers properly is crucial when checking if your baby has a real fever versus normal warmth from teething:

Tympanic (ear) thermometers: Quick but need correct placement for accuracy.
Rectal thermometers: Most accurate for infants under 3 months; use carefully following instructions.
Axillary (underarm): Easier but less precise; usually requires confirmation with other methods if high readings occur.
Avoid oral thermometers:Babies cannot hold them properly which leads to inaccurate measurements.

Recording temperatures over time helps identify patterns indicating illness rather than transient warmth from gum irritation.

The Link Between Teething and Illness: Coincidence vs Causation

It’s common for babies around six months old—right when many start teething—to catch colds or other infections due to increased exposure outside home environments like daycare settings. This overlap leads many parents and even caregivers to mistakenly blame all symptoms on teeth coming in.

Medical studies confirm there isn’t direct causation between teething itself causing systemic illness like fevers above 100.4°F (38°C). Instead:

The immune system may be slightly less mature at this stage making infections more frequent.
Babies put hands and toys into their mouths more often while teething increasing germ transmission risk.
The stress from discomfort could temporarily lower resistance but doesn’t directly cause infection-related fever.

Understanding this distinction helps parents avoid delays in seeking medical care for genuine illnesses masked by assumptions about teething effects.

The Role Pediatricians Play in Clarifying “Can Babies Get A Fever From Teething?”

Doctors emphasize careful observation rather than automatic attribution of fevers during infancy solely to teeth eruption. They recommend:

A thorough physical exam whenever an infant has a high fever accompanied by poor feeding, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, persistent cough, or rash.
Avoiding unnecessary medications aimed at treating “teething fevers” which don’t exist medically beyond mild temperature elevations.
Counseling parents about typical behaviors linked with teething versus warning signs needing urgent care.
If uncertain about symptoms’ origin—especially temperatures above 100.4°F—consult healthcare providers promptly rather than waiting it out assuming it’s just “teeth.”

This approach ensures babies receive appropriate diagnosis and treatment quickly.

Tackling Parental Concerns About Can Babies Get A Fever From Teething?

Parents naturally worry when their little ones seem uncomfortable combined with rising temperatures around tooth eruption times.

Here are key points that help ease concerns:

Mild warmth is normal but high fevers aren’t caused by teeth alone;
If your baby has a persistent high fever (>100.4°F), see your pediatrician;
Pain relief methods should focus on comfort rather than fever reduction;
Keeps track of all symptoms including feeding habits and activity levels;
Your pediatrician will guide you on safe medication use if needed;
Toddlers tend to get sick often at ages overlapping with teething stages so vigilance matters;

Understanding these facts empowers caregivers with confidence instead of confusion.

Key Takeaways: Can Babies Get A Fever From Teething?

➤ Teething may cause mild temperature rise, not high fever.

➤ High fever usually indicates infection, not teething.

➤ Teething symptoms include drooling and irritability.

➤ Monitor baby’s temperature during teething periods.

➤ Consult a doctor if fever exceeds 100.4°F (38°C).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Babies Get A Fever From Teething?

Babies may experience a slight rise in temperature during teething, but true fevers above 100.4°F (38°C) are uncommon. The mild temperature increase is usually a low-grade response to gum inflammation rather than an actual fever caused by illness.

Why Do Parents Think Babies Get A Fever From Teething?

Parents often associate fever with teething because teething occurs around the same age babies commonly catch viral infections. Increased drooling and putting objects in their mouths can expose babies to germs, leading to infections that cause fevers, not the teething itself.

What Symptoms Besides Fever Can Babies Show When Teething?

During teething, babies may drool more, have swollen gums, be irritable, and chew on objects to relieve discomfort. These symptoms are typical and related to the tooth pushing through the gums, causing localized inflammation and mild discomfort.

How Can You Tell If A Baby’s Fever Is Due To Teething Or Infection?

A true fever with temperatures above 100.4°F (38°C) is more likely caused by an infection rather than teething. If a baby has a high fever, persistent irritability, or other symptoms like coughing or vomiting, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional for evaluation.

Is It Safe To Give Medicine For Fever During Teething?

Mild discomfort from teething can sometimes be relieved with appropriate doses of infant pain relievers. However, if a baby has a significant fever or other concerning symptoms, parents should seek medical advice before giving any medication to rule out infections.

Conclusion – Can Babies Get A Fever From Teething?

The straightforward answer: true fevers aren’t caused directly by teeth coming through gums.

Teething may lead to slight increases in body temperature due to local inflammation but does not produce significant fevers over 100.4°F (38°C).

If your baby shows higher temperatures along with other signs like poor feeding, lethargy, coughs, rashes, vomiting, or diarrhea—it’s likely an infection needing prompt medical attention.

Comfort measures such as cold compresses, gentle gum massages, hydration support, and safe pain relievers help ease typical teething discomforts without masking serious illness.

Knowing exactly what symptoms belong strictly to tooth eruption versus those signaling sickness makes all the difference in keeping your baby healthy and happy during this challenging stage.

Remember: always monitor temperatures carefully using proper tools and trust professional advice whenever uncertain about your infant’s health status related to “Can Babies Get A Fever From Teething?”