[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2024\/09\/can-teething-cause-fevers\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2024\/09\/can-teething-cause-fevers\/","headline":"Can Teething Really Cause Fevers?","name":"Can Teething Really Cause Fevers?","description":"<p>Contrary to popular belief, teething doesn't cause fevers. A teething baby with a fever is more likely to have another illness. Here's what you need to know.<\/p>","datePublished":"2024-09-20","dateModified":"2024-09-13","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/pediatrics","name":"Pediatrics","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/pediatrics","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/pediatrics\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/GettyImages-1397886009.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/GettyImages-1397886009.jpg","height":867,"width":1998},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2024\/09\/can-teething-cause-fevers\/","about":["Living and Wellness","Pediatrics"],"wordCount":995,"articleBody":"If your baby is teething, chances are they\u2019re fussy and irritable. And you may notice that your baby feels a little warmer than usual. But can teething cause fevers?The short answer is no. Teething does not cause true fever in infants. However, it can lead to a slightly elevated\u00a0temperature\u00a0(under 100.4 F) for unknown reasons.Here, we break down the signs of teething and when you should worry about a fever.When Do Babies Start Teething?Babies typically start teething between three and 12 months old. Teething happens when primary teeth (also known as baby teeth) push through the gums and become visible.Babies are born with 20 primary teeth below the gum line. Some get their first tooth as early as 3 months, while others are still toothless on their first birthday. But for most babies, their first teeth start to break through the gums around 6 months.The two bottom front teeth usually appear first, followed by the four front upper teeth. The molars (the larger teeth toward the back of the mouth) come in later. The eyeteeth (the pointy teeth in the upper jaw) appear last.By the time your child is 3 years old, they should have a full set of 20 baby teeth, none of which should cause a fever.Teething is a natural process that every baby goes through. Though it causes more discomfort in some babies than others, it shouldn\u2019t cause severe or long-lasting pain.Teething SymptomsA tooth pushing through the gums can cause tenderness and discomfort. But babies have a range of reactions to teething. Some don\u2019t seem bothered by a new tooth, while others are cranky for days.Signs of teething include:A desire to chew on things.Disrupted sleeping.Drooling.Irritability and fussiness.Rubbing the gums or ears.A shift in eating patterns.Slightly elevated temperature (under 100.4 F).Tender, swollen gums.What Is Fever in a Baby?A fever is a baby\u2019s reaction to infection. The fever stimulates the immune system to fight the infection. Higher temperatures in the body may also make it more difficult for germs to grow.Doctors consider 100.4 F or higher a true fever. If a baby younger than 3 months old has a rectal temperature of 100.4 F or higher, this is serious and needs evaluation. You should call your doctor or go to the emergency room right away.If your child is older than 3 months and has a fever of 102.2 F or higher, call your doctor. Likewise, if your child has had a fever for more than two or three days, check in with your doctor.If your baby has a fever, your doctor may recommend baby acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin). (Caveat: You should never give ibuprofen to children under 6 months old.)However, you may not need to treat a fever. If your child eats, drinks, and plays normally, the fever is fighting the infection without causing discomfort.When Is a Fever Cause for Concern?If your baby is teething and has a fever, something else is likely causing the high temperature. If you blame teething for fever, crying, or other signs of illness, you may delay treatment for a real problem.Call the doctor if your child has:A fever accompanied by a rash.A fever lasting more than three days.Painful urination.Persistent vomiting or diarrhea.Pay attention to these symptoms:Dehydration signs, including reduced urination, lethargy, or lack of tears while crying.Refusal to drink liquids.A temperature of 102.2 F or higher (if they are 3 months or older).Seek emergency care if your child has:A temperature of 100.4 F or higher (if they are younger than 3 months).Blue lips, a blue tongue, or blue nails.Difficulty breathing.Limpness or an inability to move.Persistent crying that doesn\u2019t stop.A purple rash that looks like bruises.A seizure.Severe abdominal pain.A stiff neck or severe headache.Unresponsiveness or extreme drowsiness.Unusual fussiness or irritability.Note: You are the best judge of when your child\u2019s behavior doesn\u2019t seem quite right. Err on the side of caution and call the doctor if you\u2019re not sure.Easing Your Baby\u2019s Teething DiscomfortNot all babies suffer discomfort when teething. But if your child seems especially irritable and fussy, you can take these steps to ease teething pain.Massage the gumsRubbing your baby\u2019s gums with a clean finger is often enough to relieve discomfort. You can do this as often as you like. For children over 12 months, you can rub the gums with a piece of ice wrapped in a wet cloth.Bonus: Rubbing your baby\u2019s gums will help prepare them for brushing their teeth and other good oral health habits.Offer a teething deviceA teething baby can get relief from chewing on a hard object. Use a teething ring, pacifier, or wet washcloth. Chilling (not freezing) these items beforehand can help soothe sore gums.Don\u2019t use ice, popsicles, or hard foods as teethers. They can cause frostbite or create a choking hazard.Don\u2019t use so-called \u201cteething necklaces\u201d sold online. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved them, and they may also pose choking hazards.Ask your doctor about pain medicineIf your baby still seems to suffer, ask your pediatrician if giving them some mild pain medicine is OK. Tylenol (or Advil if your baby is over 6 months old) may help a child with teething discomfort.Don&#8217;t use over-the-counter teething gels. Most have benzocaine, an ingredient that can cause choking and allergic reactions in babies. Likewise, don\u2019t rub your baby\u2019s gums with alcohol (even if your older relatives insist that it cures teething pain).The good news is that teething pain is temporary. For most children, it passes in a few days.SourcesAmerican Academy of Pediatrics. Teething. LinkAmerican Academy of Pediatrics. Fever and Your Baby. LinkNemours KidsHealth. Fever (High Temperature) in Kids. LinkNemours KidsHealth. Teething Tots. LinkNHS. Baby teething symptoms. Link"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2024","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2024\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"09","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2024\/\/09\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Can Teething Really Cause Fevers?","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2024\/09\/can-teething-cause-fevers\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]