From the Guidelines
There is no strong scientific evidence that teething directly causes diarrhea in infants. While many parents report loose stools during teething periods, medical experts generally consider this to be a coincidence rather than a cause-and-effect relationship. Teething typically occurs between 4-24 months of age, which is also when babies are being exposed to new foods, putting objects in their mouths, and developing their immune systems. These factors are more likely causes of diarrhea. Teething can cause increased drooling, which might lead to slightly looser stools if a baby swallows excessive saliva, but this wouldn't cause true diarrhea.
If your baby has diarrhea (multiple watery stools), it's best to consider other causes such as infection, food sensitivity, or antibiotic use rather than attributing it to teething. According to 1, rotavirus is a major cause of severe gastroenteritis in infants and young children, and it's essential to consider this and other infectious causes when evaluating diarrhea in infants. Keep your baby hydrated and consult a healthcare provider if diarrhea persists for more than 24 hours, contains blood or mucus, or is accompanied by fever over 100.4°F, vomiting, or signs of dehydration.
Some key points to consider when evaluating diarrhea in infants include:
- The age of the infant and the timing of teething
- Exposure to new foods or objects that could cause an immune response
- The presence of other symptoms such as fever, vomiting, or signs of dehydration
- The possibility of infectious causes such as rotavirus, as discussed in 1.
It's crucial to prioritize the baby's hydration and overall health, and to seek medical attention if symptoms persist or worsen.
From the Research
Teething and Diarrhea in Infants
- There is a common belief that teething in infants can cause a variety of symptoms, including diarrhea 2, 3.
- A study published in 2002 found that the majority of parents (56.7%) and pediatric dentists (52.0%) believed that diarrhea is associated with teething, compared to only 9.1% of pediatricians 2.
- However, other studies have found that diarrhea is not significantly associated with teething 4, 5, 6.
- A prospective study published in 2000 found that stool looseness and increased stool number were not significantly associated with tooth emergence 4.
- Another study published in 1996 found that out of 50 babies hospitalized for symptoms attributed to teething, 48 had an organic cause of illness, and diarrhea should not be attributed to teething 5.
- A study published in 1989 also found that teething does not appear to cause diarrhea, fever, rashes, seizures, or bronchitis 6.
Beliefs and Practices Regarding Teething Symptoms
- There are significant differences in the beliefs of parents, pediatricians, and pediatric dentists regarding symptoms caused by teething in infants 2.
- A study published in 2018 found that 90.7% of mothers attributed diarrhea to teething, highlighting the need for health education to correct misconceptions about teething symptoms 3.
- Some mothers also reported using traditional practices to relieve teething symptoms, such as rubbing the gum with garlic or herbs 3.