The idea that teething causes a fever is controversial, with some doctors arguing it’s a coincidence. A high temperature during teething could indicate another disease and requires a doctor’s attention. Parents should follow guidelines for when to call a doctor about a fever, even if they think it’s teething-related.
The question of whether babies get a temperature from teething is highly controversial and there is no complete consensus. Many parents notice a slight increase in their child’s temperature, especially in the day or two before a tooth breaks out, but some doctors argue that this is a coincidence. Regardless of which side of the fence a person is on, it’s pretty clear that babies shouldn’t have a high temperature from teething. Anything above 100 degrees F (37.78), or some doctors say above 101 F (38.33), likely indicates another disease and deserves a doctor’s attention.
There is a long history of believing that a temperature from teething is normal. It dates back to Ariovedic and Ancient Greek medical beliefs and pervaded medical philosophy until the end of the 19th century. Teething was often seen as a process that was not a normal development and could instead cause disease or even death. Rather than understanding that a variety of diseases and infections were likely responsible for the deaths of infants, 19th-century physicians might attribute some infant deaths to teething.
Though less common, this failure nowadays to recognize that children can get teeth and get sick at the same time can delay treatment. As long as parents believe that a high temperature from teething is normal and that the two must be related, they may fail to care for children who need it. Because infants and young children are more vulnerable and have fewer reservations than older children and adults, failure to treat is problematic and potentially risky for the child. While a low-grade fever that occurs at the same time as teething occurs may be related and is less of a health concern, parents are cautioned never to assume that a higher fever is necessarily based on teething. .
Guidelines for when to call a doctor about a fever are more specific and depend on the child’s age, and even if a parent thinks it’s teething temperature, they should try to follow them. An infant up to three months old, who may have early teeth, should be seen by a doctor if the fever is 100.4 F (38 C) or higher. For babies between the ages of three and six months, parents should call doctors for any fever of 101-102 F (38.33-38.89 C) or higher. Parents should call first if other symptoms such as vomiting, severe cough, severe congestion, signs of ear infection, listlessness, or extreme sleepiness are present.
Even if a doctor cannot provide any explanation and ultimately concludes that it is teething temperature, parents can rest assured that they are providing adequate hydration for babies. They can also remain vigilant and be alert to any changes for the worse. Most importantly, the consultation or visit with a doctor buys peace of mind. It helps rule out serious diseases that can affect children, whether they are teething or not.
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