Teething can be a challenging time for both babies and parents. As those little teeth begin to push through the gums, many parents find themselves asking an important question: Can teething really cause a fever? The short answer is no—teething does not lead to a true fever. However, it may occasionally result in a slightly elevated temperature known as a low-grade fever.
It's common for new parents to worry when their baby feels warm during this phase of development. Typically starting around 4 to 7 months, teething coincides with other milestones that might also bring about illness—like colds or ear infections. When your baby has a fever while teething, it's crucial to remember that the root cause is likely something else entirely.
The reason behind this confusion lies in timing. By six months old, the immunity passed from mother begins to wane, making infants more susceptible to infections just as they are beginning their journey into teething. So if you notice your little one running a high temperature alongside swollen gums and drooling—a classic sign of teething—it’s essential not to jump straight into panic mode but rather consider whether there could be another underlying issue at play.
If your baby's temperature rises above 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Celsius), that's typically where concern should kick in; such fevers are generally indicative of an infection rather than simply the discomfort associated with emerging teeth. A slight rise in body temperature during teething can happen on rare occasions but shouldn't exceed that threshold.
In addition to mild fevers—which again are quite uncommon—teething often brings along symptoms like tender and swollen gums, excessive drooling, and an increased desire for chewing on hard objects as babies seek relief from discomfort.
To help soothe your little one during this period, gentle gum massages or offering safe teething toys made from firm rubber can provide comfort without introducing any risk of illness related directly back to tooth eruption itself.
Ultimately, while it’s easy for anxious parents (and even grandparents) alike to link these two experiences together—the arrival of teeth and sudden spikes in temperatures—they're usually unrelated events happening simultaneously due largely due developmental changes occurring within our growing children.