Teething Fever in Babies

Your baby is likely to have his first few teeth poking out through his gums anytime between four and seven months. Various other symptoms usually accompany teething in babies.  Teething symptoms like fever, irritability and a general nature of discomfort can make babies cranky and leave them in pain. Understanding what these symptoms are can help you pain relief measures for your baby.

Does Teething Cause Fever in Babies?

The question, “Do babies get a fever when teething?”, is very common among parents as many have noticed their babies developing a mild fever during teething. However, there is no scientific evidence that teething causes symptoms like a fever in babies. This is because the body temperature can rise slightly while teething, but it doesn’t increase enough to be considered a fever. If your baby has a rectal temperature over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, along with other symptoms including diarrhoea, lack of appetite, vomiting, etc., it may indicate a different illness. It is best to seek medical advice to rule out any serious complications in these instances.

What Are the Causes of Teething Fever in Babies?

There are some answers as to why babies get a fever when teething. As the teeth break out of the gums, there is inflammation of the gums, which may cause a low-grade fever. Teething fever could also be a result of the body’s defence against bacteria. When the gums open up, there may be some transient bacteria that get into the blood of the baby. The body’s fight against this bacteria could lead to a low-grade fever.

In addition to this, there is an excess formation of saliva, which reaches the gut and causes your baby’s stool to loosen. However, the stools will not be like stools during diarrhoea.

Till What Time Does Teething Fever Last in Infants?

Inflammation in your baby’s teeth happens when the gums swell before the teeth break out. The pain and fever that accompanies this inflammation last for a day or two before it subsides. Since the teeth may break out at different times, you may find that your child runs a mild temperature each time. However, as each tooth erupts, the pain and the body temperature would be slightly lower than the previous one.

How to Treat Teething Fever in Infants?

Since teething fever is very mild, you will not have to resort to the use of medications to treat it. Baby teething fever remedies in the form of tablets is also not recommended as there is no evidence that these work and they aren’t regulated.

Also, make sure that you don’t mistake your child’s urge to chew for pain. You will need to provide your child with safe plastic or rubber toys to soothe this urge. Pacifiers and frozen teething rings can also help reduce the irritation in your baby’s gums and keep them distracted. Don’t give any toys that can break into little pieces and cause a choking hazard to your baby.

You could also dip your finger in some cold water and gently massage your baby’s gums to relieve the pain. Check with your doctor to see if there are any ointments that are suitable for relieving the baby of pain.

If you notice rashes on your baby’s face, especially on the chin due to excess saliva, you can consult your doctor about using mild creams or petroleum jelly to treat it. Remember to dab the saliva off and not rub it as the latter will only worsen the rash.

Avoid These Mistakes to Get Fast Relief

It is natural that parents would want their babies to feel better at the earliest and try to do everything they can to make this happen. However, these are a few things you should avoid when trying to help your baby feel better during teething.

• Setting the temperature of the room very low: The temperature of your baby’s room should always be between 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. This can help him relax and feel comfortable.
• Adult medication: Never give your baby medicines that are meant for adults, in any dose. Always consult your doctor before giving any medicines to your baby.
• Cold water: Don’t give your baby cold water to help him feel better. Water is not recommended for babies younger than 6 months old. You could breastfeed or formula-feed him instead. If your baby is over 6 months of age, you can give him water at room temperature, as it is a healthier option than cold water.

When to Call a Doctor

It is natural for your baby to be cranky and generally in a bad mood when he is teething. This is justified due to all the discomfort he is going through. However, if you notice the following signs in your baby during teething, it may indicate something more and medical advice is recommended at the earliest.

• Your baby is younger than 3 months and has a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or above
• Your baby is older the 3 months and has a temperature of 102 degrees Fahrenheit or above
• The fever lasts for over 24 hours
• Your baby has vomiting, rashes, and diarrhoea along with fever
• Your baby looks very tired and sick
• If the teething rings or relief measures don’t soothe him

Fever during teething in babies is not a serious concern as long as the temperature stays under the mentioned limit. However, if you notice a high fever along with other symptoms, your baby will need immediate medical care in order to rule out any serious illnesses.