Can teething cause fever?

Teething itself does not typically cause a significant fever. While teething may cause mild temperature elevation (up to 99°F or 37.2°C), a true fever (100.4°F or 38°C and above) is more likely due to an infection or illness coinciding with teething. Parents often attribute fevers to teething because both commonly occur in the same age range (4-24 months). If your child has a fever during teething, you can use infant acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) at age-appropriate doses to reduce discomfort and fever. For teething pain specifically, cold teething rings, gentle gum massage, or teething biscuits may help. The reason teething doesn't directly cause high fevers is physiological - the inflammatory process of tooth eruption is localized to the gums and isn't substantial enough to trigger significant body temperature elevation. If your child has a fever above 100.4°F, especially if it persists for more than a day or is accompanied by other symptoms like decreased feeding, lethargy, or unusual fussiness, contact your pediatrician as this likely indicates an infection rather than simple teething.