dental hygiene
Your baby starts chewing on everything, waking up more than usual, feels a bit warmer than normal. First thought for a lot of parents is simple. Teething fever. But is that actually what’s going on?
Here’s the thing though, teething makes babies uncomfortable, sure, but it usually doesn’t cause a real fever. Slightly raised temperature can happen during this stage since the gums are irritated and there’s a lot going on for a small body. An actual fever though, especially one climbing steadily, usually points to something else entirely.
Why Teething Gets Blamed For It
Teething tends to happen right around the age babies start picking up more germs anyway. Toys in the mouth, touching everything, exploring the world more, which means their little bodies are constantly meeting new bugs.
So a fever shows up while a tooth’s coming through, feels like the tooth must be the reason. Makes sense, timing lines up, drooling’s there, fussiness is there. But the fever itself usually isn’t actually from the tooth pushing through the gum.
A Warm Baby Isn’t Always A Fever
Parents feel their baby’s warm and reach straight for the thermometer, good instinct honestly. Feeling warm with your hand alone isn’t always accurate.
Mild temperature changes can happen with teething. Actual fever’s different. Most doctors call anything 38°C or higher a real fever, worth a closer look rather than just written off as teething.
Signs That Point More To Teething
Tricky part is teething can look a lot like a small illness. Babies can’t tell you their gums hurt, so they show it their own way instead.
Extra drooling usually, wanting to bite almost anything nearby. Some babies get clingier too. Honestly the endless chewing phase is what most parents remember most vividly.
Teething rings help here. Cool one from the fridge feels soothing since the pressure gives sore gums something else to focus on. Beats buying a whole cupboard of fancy teething products that barely get touched, in my opinion.
When The Fever Actually Needs Attention
A fever that seems high, lasts a while, or comes with your baby looking genuinely unwell shouldn’t get pinned on a new tooth. Trust your gut here, parents usually notice when something’s off with their kid.
Don’t Ignore The Bigger Picture
Teething’s a normal part of growing up. Makes for messy days and longer nights. Shouldn’t become an excuse to ignore signs something else is actually going on though.
Baby’s got a fever, check the actual temperature instead of guessing. Takes a few seconds, saves you worrying over a feeling that might not even mean much.
Disclaimer
The information shared in our articles is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional dental advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Every smile is unique, and only a qualified dental professional can assess your individual oral health needs. If you have any concerns, please book an appointment with our team or consult your local dentist.
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