Does teething cause fever in babies?
Teething may coincide with a slight temperature rise below 38°C. A temperature of 38°C or higher is fever and should not be attributed to teething alone. A baby under three months with this temperature needs urgent assessment.
Details
What can happen during teething?
Sore gums, extra drooling, chewing and irritability may occur. There is no evidence that diarrhoea is a normal teething symptom. An emerging tooth is not an explanation for every sign of illness.
When should I seek help?
Use a digital thermometer. Seek urgent assessment at 38°C or above in babies under three months, or 39°C or above at three to six months. Get advice for dehydration, fever lasting five days, or a child who is getting worse.
Emergency signs
Breathing difficulty, being hard to wake, a first seizure or a rash that does not fade under pressure needs emergency care regardless of the temperature reading. Do not delay assessment by treating the problem as “teething fever” at home.
Related reading: When to start brushing a child’s teeth.