Teething and a temperature of 38°C: what to know

Teething can cause sore, swollen gums, increased dribbling, chewing, irritability and disrupted sleep. A child may feel warm during this process, but a measured temperature of 38°C is a fever rather than simply a sign of a tooth breaking through. Infection can happen at the same time, so do not assume teething explains the temperature.

Check the temperature with a reliable digital thermometer and consider how your child looks and behaves. Reduced drinking, unusual sleepiness, breathing changes, vomiting, diarrhoea, a rash or pain in another body area can point away from teething and need clinical assessment.

Offer frequent breastfeeds, formula feeds or suitable fluids, and watch for regular wet nappies. Keep clothing light and let your child rest. For sore gums, offer a clean, chilled teething ring or gently massage the gums with a clean finger; avoid frozen items that can injure the mouth.

If your child seems distressed, ask a pharmacist or clinician which fever or pain medicine is suitable for their age and weight, and follow the product instructions. Do not give aspirin to a child, combine medicines without advice, or use gels containing numbing ingredients unless a healthcare professional recommends them.

Seek urgent help if your child has trouble breathing, is difficult to wake, has a seizure, develops a purple or rapidly spreading rash, has a stiff neck, or shows signs of dehydration such as very few wet nappies, a dry mouth or no tears. Get prompt medical advice for a baby younger than three months with a temperature of 38°C or higher.

Contact a clinician if the fever persists, returns, your child is getting worse, or you are concerned despite comfort measures. A clinician can examine the ears, throat, chest, skin and gums to look for an illness unrelated to teething.

Ask what may be causing the fever, how often to check the temperature, which comfort measures fit your child’s age, and what changes should prompt an urgent review. Tell the clinician when the fever began, the highest reading, how it was measured, your child’s fluid intake and any new symptoms.