Can teething cause a fever?

When your baby's teeth start to erupt through the gums, usually between 4 and 7 months of age, the signs shouldn't be hard to spot. Irritability, drooling, and lack of interest in food are all classic teething symptoms.

Teething can raise your baby's body temperature, but only slightly. Any temperature above 38 C is a sign that your child is probably sick.

How to know if your child is teething

All children are different. Some barely groan when they are teething. Others cry and grumble for a long period of time.

Your child is probably teething if your baby:

Drools a lot
Is extra fussy or cranky
Cries more than usual
Chews on teething rings or other firm objects

Your child will most likely show these signs when the front teeth erupt. Expect the worst symptoms to appear between 6 and 16 months.

How to know if your child is sick

A sick child may also be grumpy and have trouble eating and sleeping. Your child is likely to have a cold, E. coli, or other illness if your baby:

Has a runny or stuffy nose
Is sneezing or coughing
Has diarrhea or vomiting
Has a rash

If you're still not sure what's going on, see your pediatrician.

How to soothe sore gums

If your child is teething, the best way to calm him down is to apply pressure on his gums. You can massage them with a clean finger or have your baby chew on a rubber teething ring.

Cool items are good for a baby who is teething. But it can damage your gums if it's too cold. Placing the teething ring in the freezer can also cause it to break and leak. Instead, put the ring in the refrigerator until it cools down. If you don't have a tooth ring handy, put a damp washcloth in the fridge instead.

Do not use gels that you rub on your baby's gums or teething tablets. They usually don't help, and some people have belladonna, both of which can be harmful.

If your child is over 6 months old, you can give them ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help relieve teething pain. But check with their doctor first.

When to call the doctor

Babies who are teething can be grumpy, and they are. But watch out for signs that your child is really sick. Call your doctor if your child:

Age less than 3 months and temperature above 38 C
Is older than 3 months and has a fever above 40 C
Has a fever that lasts more than 24 hours
Has diarrhea, vomiting, or a rash with fever
Is very sleepy or looks sick
Can't be soothed

Teething can be a frustrating time for your baby and for you. Remember that this is just another step. In the meantime, make sure that the child is as comfortable as possible. And when the first teeth appear, brush them daily with a soft-bristle baby toothbrush to keep them healthy.