Can Teething Cause a Fever? What Pediatricians Want Parents to Know

Medically Reviewed by: Dr. Melissa Tribuzio, MD

It's 2 AM. Your baby is fussy, drooling, and warm to the touch. You see a swollen spot on their gums where a new tooth is pushing through. Is this a teething fever?

Here's the short answer: teething can make your baby feel a little warm, but it does not cause a true fever. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says any temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, measured rectally, is a fever — and teething doesn't push temperatures that high. If your baby has a real fever, something else is going on.

The tricky part? Teething starts around the same age that babies begin catching more colds and infections. So it's easy to think the fever is from the teeth — when it's really from a bug. Let's break it down.

Key Takeaways

• Teething does not cause true fever — the AAP says temperatures of 100.4°F or higher are not from teething
• A slightly warm baby during teething is normal — temperatures may rise to about 99–100°F, but that's below the fever line
• Fevers during teething age usually come from illness — babies lose their mom's immune protection around 6 months, right when teething starts
• Never brush off a real fever as "just teething" — 100.4°F or higher needs a closer look, even if your baby is cutting a tooth
• Safe ways to soothe teething pain exist — chilled teething rings, gum massage, and doctor-approved pain relief all help

What Does the Research Say?

Doctors have studied thousands of babies to answer this question. Here's what they found:

Teething may warm your baby up a tiny bit — but not enough to cause a fever. A large review of 16 studies looked at over 3,500 children. The result? Teething could raise temperature slightly, but it did not cause fever (Massignan et al., 2016, Pediatrics).

Another study followed 125 babies through 475 tooth eruptions. They found that temperatures went up a little when a tooth was coming in — but stayed well below what doctors consider a true fever (Macknin et al., 2000, Pediatrics).

The bottom line: Your baby may feel a touch warmer when teething. But if the thermometer reads 100.4°F or higher, the fever is coming from something else — not the tooth.

Why Do Fevers and Teething Happen at the Same Time?

If teeth don't cause fever, why does it seem like they do? It comes down to timing.

Your baby's borrowed immunity fades. During pregnancy, your antibodies crossed the placenta and protected your baby. That protection starts wearing off around 6 months — right when teething begins. With less immune defense, your baby catches more bugs that cause real fevers.

Teething babies put everything in their mouths. Sore gums make babies chew on hands, toys, and anything they can grab. This brings in more germs and raises the chance of picking up an infection.

Daycare exposure increases. Many babies start group childcare between 3 and 12 months. More kids around means more colds and infections — and more fevers that overlap with teething.

Vaccines happen on a similar schedule. Routine shots at 6, 9, and 12 months can cause mild fevers. Parents may connect these to teething that's happening at the same time.

The gums get a little inflamed. A tooth pushing through the gum does cause some mild swelling. This can make the body temperature rise a tiny bit — but not enough to count as a fever.

Normal Teething Symptoms

These are the signs that your baby is actually teething:

• Swollen, tender gums
• Fussiness and crankiness
• More drooling than usual
• A slight rise in temperature — but below 100.4°F
• Wanting to chew on everything
• Trouble sleeping
• Eating less, especially solid foods
• A rash on the face or chin from all the drool

What teething does NOT cause: High fever, diarrhea, body-wide rash, or vomiting. If your baby has any of these, call your pediatrician — it's likely an illness, not teething.

When a Fever During Teething Is a Red Flag

Even if your baby is teething, a temperature of 100.4°F or higher means something else is going on. Here's when to call your doctor:

• Any fever of 100.4°F or higher — true fevers are not from teething
• Fever lasting more than 24 hours — even a low-grade one
• Fever with other symptoms — vomiting, diarrhea, rash, or refusing to drink
• Your baby seems really sick — unusually sleepy, hard to wake, or not acting like themselves
• Any fever in a baby under 3 months — this always needs immediate medical attention

Remember: it's always better to call your doctor than to assume a fever is "just teething."

How to Comfort a Teething Baby

Here are safe, doctor-approved ways to help your baby feel better:

Rub their gums. Use a clean finger or knuckle to gently massage the sore spots. The pressure feels good and can calm your baby down.

Try a chilled teething ring. Put a solid rubber teething ring in the fridge (not the freezer). Cold rings soothe sore gums. Skip liquid-filled ones — they can break or leak.

Offer a cold washcloth. Wet a clean washcloth, twist it, and chill it in the fridge. Tie a knot in one end so your baby can grip it. The cold and texture together bring relief.

Give cold water in a sippy cup. For babies over 6 months, cold water can soothe gums and keep them hydrated.

Ask your doctor about pain relief. If your baby is really uncomfortable, your pediatrician may suggest infant acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) (for babies 6 months and older). Always follow your doctor's dosing advice based on your baby's weight. Important: Any fever in a baby under 3 months needs a call to your doctor before giving any medicine.

Teething Remedies to Avoid

Some popular teething products are not safe. Here's what to skip:

Benzocaine gels (like Orajel). The FDA warns against these for teething. They can cause a serious condition called methemoglobinemia, where the blood can't carry enough oxygen. Babies under 2 are at the highest risk.

Homeopathic teething tablets. The FDA found that some of these contained unsafe levels of belladonna, a toxic plant. The amounts varied from tablet to tablet, making them unpredictable and dangerous.

Amber teething necklaces. These are a choking and strangling hazard. There's no proof that amber releases any pain-relieving substance when worn on skin. The AAP says babies should not wear any jewelry.

Lidocaine products. These prescription-strength numbing products have been linked to heart problems, seizures, and death in young children.

Frozen objects. Chilled is good, but fully frozen teething rings or foods can be too hard and may hurt tender gums.

Teething Timeline: When to Expect Each Tooth

Every baby is different, but here's the typical order:

• Lower front teeth: 6–10 months (usually first)
• Upper front teeth: 8–12 months
• Upper side teeth: 9–13 months
• Lower side teeth: 10–16 months
• First molars: 13–19 months
• Canines (pointy teeth): 16–23 months
• Second molars: 23–33 months

A few things to know:

• Bottom teeth usually come before top teeth
• Molars tend to hurt more because they're bigger
• Some babies get their first tooth at 4 months, others not until after their first birthday — both are normal
• By age 3, most kids have all 20 baby teeth

Frequently Asked Questions

Can teething cause a fever?

Teething can make your baby feel slightly warm, but it does not cause a true fever. The AAP says any temperature of 100.4°F or higher is a fever — and that's not from teething. If your baby has a real fever, look for other causes like a cold or infection.

What temperature counts as a fever during teething?

There's no such thing as a "teething fever." A temperature of 100.4°F or higher is a real fever and isn't caused by teething. A reading of 99–100°F during teething is normal and usually goes away in a day or two.

How long does teething discomfort last?

The worst discomfort usually lasts one to two days around the time a tooth breaks through. If your baby's warm feeling lasts more than 24 hours or hits 100.4°F, it's probably an illness — not teething.

How can I tell if it's teething or sickness?

Teething doesn't cause temperatures of 100.4°F or higher. So if your baby has a true fever, it's likely from being sick. Other signs of illness include being very sleepy, not eating or drinking, diarrhea, vomiting, or a rash. When in doubt, call your doctor.

Are teething tablets safe?

The FDA recommends against them. Some homeopathic teething tablets had unsafe amounts of belladonna. Stick with safe options: chilled teething rings, gum massage, and doctor-approved pain medicine when needed.

When to Call Your Blueberry Pediatrician

Trust your gut. If something feels off — even if you can't explain exactly what — call your doctor. Here are times when a Blueberry pediatrician can help:

• Your baby's temperature is 100.4°F or higher
• Teething pain seems unusually bad or isn't getting better
• You're not sure what pain relief is safe or how much to give
• Your baby won't eat or drink
• You just want to make sure everything is okay

With Blueberry Pediatrics, you have 24/7 access to board-certified pediatricians through telehealth — no waiting room, no guessing. Our at-home medical kit includes a thermometer so you can check your baby's temperature and share it with your doctor in real time.

Not sure if it's teething or something more? Talk to a Blueberry pediatrician now.

References

1. American Academy of Pediatrics. "Teething Pain Relief: How to Soothe Your Baby's Discomfort." HealthyChildren.org.
2. Markman L. "Teething: Facts and Fiction." Pediatrics in Review. 2009;30(8):e59-e64.
3. Macknin ML, Piedmonte M, Jacobs J, Skibinski C. "Symptoms Associated With Infant Teething: A Prospective Study." Pediatrics. 2000;105(4):747-752.
4. Pantell RH, Roberts KB, Adams WG, et al. "Evaluation and Management of Well-Appearing Febrile Infants 8 to 60 Days Old." Pediatrics. 2021;148(2):e2021052228.
5. Massignan C, Cardoso M, Porporatti AL, et al. "Signs and Symptoms of Primary Tooth Eruption: A Meta-analysis." Pediatrics. 2016;137(3):e20153501.
6. Wake M, Hesketh K, Lucas J. "Teething and Tooth Eruption in Infants: A Cohort Study." Pediatrics. 2000;106(6):1374-1379.
7. Niewiesk S. "Maternal Antibodies: Clinical Significance, Mechanism of Interference with Immune Responses." Frontiers in Immunology. 2014;5:446.
8. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "FDA Drug Safety Communication: Benzocaine and Risk of Methemoglobinemia." May 2018.
9. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "FDA confirms elevated levels of belladonna in certain homeopathic teething products." January 2017.
10. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "Safely Soothing Teething Pain and Sensory Needs in Babies and Older Children." December 2018.
11. American Academy of Pediatrics. "Teething Necklaces and Beads: A Caution for Parents." HealthyChildren.org.
12. Cleveland Clinic. "Teething (Teething Syndrome): Symptoms & Tooth Eruption Chart."
13. American Dental Association. "Baby Teeth Eruption Charts." MouthHealthy.org.
14. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "FDA Drug Safety Communication: Reports of a rare, but serious and potentially fatal adverse effect with the use of over-the-counter benzocaine gels and liquids applied to the gums or mouth." April 2011; updated June 2014.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your pediatrician for guidance specific to your child's health needs.