Can Teething Cause High Fever? What Parents in London Need to Know
If your baby has a temperature and is also teething, it is completely understandable to assume the two are connected. It is one of the most widely repeated pieces of parenting folklore, passed between generations and reinforced by well meaning advice online. But is it actually true? Understanding what teething can and cannot cause matters, particularly because mistaking a genuine illness for teething can delay you seeking the right care at the right time.
At Junction Pharmacy, our team across London supports parents with everyday health questions like this one, offering practical, evidence based guidance you can trust. If you are ever unsure whether your baby’s symptoms need further attention, our pharmacists are here to help.
Quick Answer: Teething can cause a very mild rise in temperature, but it does not cause a genuine high fever. According to NHS guidance, a temperature of 38°C or above in a baby is considered a fever and is more likely to be caused by an infection or illness than by teething alone. Persistent or high fevers should always be checked by a healthcare professional.
The Teething and Fever Myth, Explained
The idea that teething causes fever has been around for generations, and it is easy to see why the belief persists. Teething and common childhood illnesses often overlap in timing, particularly in the first two years of life when a baby’s immune system is also being challenged by frequent minor infections. This overlap creates a false impression of cause and effect.
Research reviewing this exact question has found that while teething is associated with a very slight increase in temperature, it does not cause a true fever. A study published in the journal Pediatrics, widely referenced in UK clinical literature, found that teething symptoms were linked to only a marginal temperature rise, well below the threshold considered a fever, and concluded that a genuine high temperature during teething is more likely to indicate an unrelated illness.
What Teething Can Actually Cause
It is worth being clear about what teething genuinely does cause, since many of these symptoms are often mistakenly lumped in with fever.
➤ Excessive drooling and a need to chew on objects
➤ Red, swollen or tender gums
➤ Mild irritability or fussiness, particularly in the days before a tooth breaks through
➤ Slightly disrupted sleep
➤ A very mild, temporary rise in temperature, generally staying below fever threshold
➤ Reduced appetite for solid foods due to gum discomfort
These symptoms are uncomfortable for your baby, but they are not usually a cause for medical concern on their own.
What Teething Does Not Typically Cause
Symptoms outside of the list above are unlikely to be explained by teething, even if your baby happens to be cutting a tooth at the same time.
➤ A temperature of 38°C or higher
➤ Diarrhoea or vomiting
➤ A persistent cough or runny nose lasting several days
➤ Rashes anywhere on the body
➤ Prolonged lethargy or unusual sleepiness
➤ Loss of appetite for milk or fluids, rather than just solid food
If your baby is experiencing any of these symptoms alongside teething, it is far more likely that an unrelated infection or illness is responsible, and it should be assessed rather than assumed to be teething related.
What Actually Counts As A Fever?
According to NHS guidance, a normal baby’s temperature is generally around 36.4°C, though this can vary slightly from child to child. A temperature of 38°C or above is classed as a fever in babies and young children. You can read the full NHS guidance on babies and young children with a high temperature, including when to seek medical advice.
This distinction matters because a true fever signals that the body is responding to something beyond mild gum inflammation, most commonly a viral or bacterial infection.
Teething Symptoms vs Signs Of Illness
| Symptom | Likely Teething | Likely Illness |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | Slightly warm, below 38°C | 38°C or above |
| Drooling and chewing | Common and expected | Not a typical illness symptom |
| Diarrhoea or vomiting | Not caused by teething | Common sign of infection |
| Rash | Not typically related | Can indicate viral illness or infection |
| Appetite | Reduced interest in solid food only | Reduced interest in milk and fluids too |
| Energy levels | Mild fussiness, otherwise alert | Unusual lethargy or drowsiness |
Why This Myth Persists
Part of the reason this belief has stuck around for so long is timing. Babies begin teething around the same age their maternal antibodies start to wane, leaving them more exposed to common infections. It is genuinely common for a baby to be cutting a tooth and catching a cold within the same week, purely by coincidence. This overlap makes it easy to link the two, even though the underlying cause of any fever is almost always the illness, not the tooth.
Safe Ways To Soothe Teething Discomfort
While teething will not cause a genuine fever, it can still cause real discomfort. There are safe, simple ways to help ease this for your baby.
➤ Offer a clean, chilled (not frozen) teething ring to gently soothe sore gums
➤ Gently rub a clean finger along the gum line to provide light counter pressure
➤ Offer cool water in a cup or bottle if your baby is old enough for additional fluids
➤ Keep a consistent bedtime routine, even if sleep is temporarily more disrupted
➤ Speak to your pharmacist about appropriate, age suitable pain relief if your baby seems particularly uncomfortable
Always check product suitability for your baby’s specific age and weight, and follow official NHS dosing guidance rather than general online advice, particularly for infants under six months.
When A Fever Needs Medical Attention
If your baby has a temperature of 38°C or higher, particularly under three months old, this should always be taken seriously and assessed promptly, regardless of whether teeth happen to be coming through at the same time. Seek urgent medical advice if your baby has a fever alongside any of the following:
➤ Unusual drowsiness or difficulty waking
➤ A rash that does not fade when pressed with a glass
➤ Rapid or laboured breathing
➤ Refusing fluids or signs of dehydration, such as fewer wet nappies
➤ A fever lasting more than a day or two without improvement
If you are ever unsure, contacting NHS 111, your GP, or your local pharmacy team in Brixton or Camberwell for advice is always the sensible option rather than waiting to see if symptoms pass.
Talking To Your Pharmacist Or GP
If your baby has a persistent low grade temperature alongside teething symptoms and you are unsure whether it warrants a GP visit, your local pharmacy team is a good first point of contact. Pharmacists can help you understand whether symptoms fall within a normal range or whether further assessment is needed, and can advise on appropriate over the counter options where suitable. Get in touch with our team if you would like guidance tailored to your baby’s specific symptoms.
How We Support Families Through The Pharmacy First Scheme
While teething and mild fever are usually managed with reassurance and home care rather than treatment, many other common childhood complaints can be assessed and treated directly at our pharmacy without needing a GP appointment, thanks to the NHS Pharmacy First scheme. This service allows our pharmacists to assess and, where appropriate, prescribe treatment for a defined list of conditions, including earache in children aged 1 to 17, sore throat, impetigo, infected insect bites and shingles, all without the wait often associated with GP booking systems.
For parents in London managing a poorly child, this can be a genuinely useful first step, particularly for conditions like earache, which can sometimes accompany teething or a cold and cause similar distress in young children. Our pharmacists can assess symptoms, rule out anything requiring urgent referral, and provide treatment on the spot where clinically appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How high can a baby’s temperature go from teething alone?
Research suggests teething may cause a very slight rise in temperature, generally staying below the 38°C threshold considered a fever. Anything reaching or exceeding 38°C is unlikely to be explained by teething and should be assessed as a possible illness.
Can teething cause diarrhoea or an upset stomach?
There is no strong evidence that teething causes diarrhoea. Increased drooling can sometimes be swallowed and occasionally loosen stools slightly, but persistent diarrhoea is far more likely to indicate a stomach bug or infection and should be monitored separately.
My baby has a slight temperature and is teething. Should I still see a GP?
If the temperature stays below 38°C and your baby seems otherwise well, alert and feeding normally, it is likely mild and related to teething discomfort. If the temperature reaches 38°C or higher, or your baby seems unwell in other ways, it is best to seek medical advice.
Is it safe to give my baby paracetamol for teething discomfort?
Age appropriate paracetamol can sometimes be used for teething discomfort, but dosing must strictly follow NHS or product guidance based on your baby’s age and weight. Always check with a pharmacist or GP before giving any medication to a baby, particularly under six months old.
Why do babies often seem to get colds around the same time as teething?
This is largely coincidental timing rather than a direct link. Teething typically begins around the same age that a baby’s inherited immunity from their mother starts to reduce, making them more susceptible to common infections during this period regardless of tooth development.
How long do teething symptoms usually last?
Mild symptoms often appear a few days before a tooth emerges and settle shortly after it breaks through. If discomfort, temperature or irritability persists for longer than a week without improvement, it is worth having your baby checked to rule out an unrelated cause.
Should I avoid vaccinations if my baby is teething?
Teething alone is not usually a reason to delay a scheduled vaccination. If your baby has a genuine fever or seems unwell for other reasons, mention this to your GP or health visitor, who can advise whether it is appropriate to proceed as planned.
Trusting The Evidence, Not The Myth
It is easy to see why teething and fever have become so closely associated in everyday parenting conversation, but the evidence tells a clearer story. Teething can cause mild discomfort and a very slight temperature change, but a genuine fever is a signal worth taking seriously and investigating separately. Knowing this distinction helps you respond calmly and appropriately, rather than dismissing a fever as “just teeth.”
Our pharmacy team across London is always happy to talk through your baby’s symptoms and help you decide on the right next step, whether that is simple reassurance or a referral for further assessment.
Call us on 02072747599, email junctionpharmacy@gmail.com, or visit us in store to speak with our team directly.
Short answer: Teething causes only a very mild, temporary rise in temperature, not a genuine high fever. A temperature of 38°C or above is more likely caused by an infection or illness and should always be assessed separately from teething symptoms.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general guidance and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice and should not replace personalised guidance from your GP, health visitor or pharmacist. Every baby is different, and any concerns about fever, teething or general wellbeing should always be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional.
