How Can I Tell if Teething Causes Fever, or if He’s Actually Sick
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The answer is simple: it depends on how serious the fever is. A slight increase in body temperature is likely because of teething, while a fever over 38 degrees probably means that your little one is ill.
But why does fever usually accompany teething in babies? A study from the Journal Paediatrics found that there were inconsistencies in research. Some studies reported fever to be a clear sign of teething, whereas others did not notice anything.
Interestingly, however, there is a link joining multiple eruption of teeth, and fever. Researchers speculate that the increased stress on a baby’s body due to teething could result in weaker immune systems, thereby letting in illnesses and fever.
Still, in their conclusion, the authors did declare that it’s normal for your baby to have a tiny increase in temperature when they’re teething – but it’s not fever. It’s dangerous to assume that teething alone causes fever because you can overlook more serious underlying diseases.
Does Teething Cause Fever or Sickness in Babies
According to Dr Maria Belen Vitug-Sales, a paediatrician from the Makati Medical Center in the Philippines, while it is true that teething does cause a baby’s temperature to rise, it is not the main cause of fever, diarrhoea or any illness in babies.
Instead, her theory is that it’s not the teething per se, but what the baby puts in his mouth that may be causing an infection.
Because when babies are teething, when the tooth starts to come at around 6 to 7 months, they tend to put anything in their mouths just to soothe the pain. Because their gums are swollen and in pain, they tend to bite anything within their reach.
And the fact that they put everything in their mouths gives them a risk of getting bacteria. This may lead to diarrhoea, explained the paediatrician.
Also, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the moment teething starts, the passive immunity that the child got from his mother’s womb also drops, making him more susceptible to bacteria and viruses.
It can also get more confusing for parents as some of the common signs of teething — like irritability, being disinterested in feeding, and being unable to sleep — can also mean that your baby might have contracted an illness.
It might not be easy to tell at first glance, but the following symptoms should serve as a red flag:
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When you notice these warning signs, do not hesitate to bring your child to the doctor, as this is not just caused by teething and may need a more accurate diagnosis and treatment.
In addition, when your child starts eating solids, you should be more strict about implementing oral hygiene. Clean his mouth and gums after eating, and make sure that his hands are always clean as babies are more prone to putting their hands in their mouths during the teething stage.
Your child’s first tooth erupting is also a sign that you should already take him to his first dentist appointment.
Baby teething fever, how long?
While we have established that teething alone does not cause fever, there is still the issue of the rise in temperature.
In general, the increase in temperature can start a day before the tooth starts to erupt. And if there is no infection, your baby’s temperature would probably normalise on its own within a couple of days.
However, if your baby still feels fussy and slightly feverish, you can consult his paediatrician and ask if you can give him a pain reliever to lower the baby’s temperature and help soothe discomfort from teething.
