If your baby seems warm while teething, it can be hard to tell what is normal and when to worry. Get clear, pediatric-informed guidance on whether fever during teething may need a doctor visit and what symptoms mean it is time to seek medical advice.
Answer a few questions about the fever, teething symptoms, and your baby’s age to get personalized guidance on when teething-related fever may be okay to monitor at home and when to call a pediatrician.
Teething can sometimes cause mild gum discomfort, drooling, fussiness, and a slight rise in temperature, but it should not cause a true high fever. In babies, a temperature of 100.4°F or higher is generally considered a fever. If your child has a real fever during teething, it may be happening at the same time as an illness rather than being caused by teething itself. That is why parents often search for how high of a fever is teething and when to worry about fever and teething.
For infants under 3 months, a temperature of 100.4°F or higher should be taken seriously and usually needs prompt medical guidance, even if teething is also happening.
A higher fever is less likely to be explained by teething alone. If your baby has a temperature in this range, it is reasonable to contact your pediatrician for advice.
Call the doctor if fever comes with trouble breathing, unusual sleepiness, poor feeding, vomiting, diarrhea, signs of dehydration, rash, or if your baby seems much sicker than expected from teething.
Cough, congestion, runny nose, or a baby who seems generally ill may point to a viral infection rather than teething as the cause of fever.
Some babies pull at their ears while teething, but ongoing fever, irritability, or trouble sleeping can also happen with an ear infection.
Repeated vomiting, frequent diarrhea, fewer wet diapers, or a dry mouth are not typical teething symptoms and may need medical attention.
Use a reliable thermometer and note the highest reading, how it was taken, and how long the fever has lasted. This helps you decide whether to call and gives useful details to your doctor.
Your baby’s age, energy level, feeding, breathing, and hydration matter just as much as the number on the thermometer when deciding if a doctor visit is needed.
A quick assessment can help you sort through whether this sounds like mild teething discomfort, a fever that should be monitored closely, or a situation where calling the pediatrician is the safer next step.
Teething may cause a slight increase in temperature, but it should not usually cause a true high fever. If your baby has a temperature of 100.4°F or higher, it is important to consider other causes too.
Teething is not expected to cause a significant fever. A true fever, especially 102°F or higher, is less likely to be from teething alone and may be a reason to call your child’s doctor.
Call sooner if your baby is under 3 months with a temperature of 100.4°F or higher, if the fever is 102°F or above, if it lasts more than a day or two, or if your baby has other concerning symptoms like poor feeding, dehydration, breathing trouble, rash, vomiting, or unusual sleepiness.
If your baby only feels warm and is otherwise acting normally, you can often monitor closely and check the temperature with a thermometer. If a true fever develops or your baby seems unwell, seek medical advice.
Common teething symptoms include drooling, chewing on objects, swollen gums, mild fussiness, and disrupted sleep. High fever, severe diarrhea, repeated vomiting, or a very sick appearance are not typical teething symptoms.
Answer a few questions to get personalized guidance on whether your baby’s temperature and symptoms sound consistent with mild teething discomfort or whether it may be time to call the doctor.
Answer a Few QuestionsExplore more assessments in this topic group.
See related assessments across this category.
Find more parenting assessments by category and topic.
When To Call Doctor
When To Call Doctor
When To Call Doctor
When To Call Doctor