A parent asks
Teething commonly causes fever or diarrhoea.
Common explanation for symptoms during teething
What the evidence says
Teething can make gums sore and babies may drool or want to chew more. Fever or diarrhoea should not simply be written off as teething because another illness may be responsible.
Where it gets nuanced
A child can happen to be teething and ill at the same time. The important point is not to let the teething explanation delay assessment of concerning symptoms.
The Harmony Bridge
Treat fever or diarrhoea as symptoms in their own right. Check the child's overall condition and seek medical advice when the symptoms, age or severity warrant it.
Talking about it at home
If you need to explain this to family
You could say: “The teeth may explain the sore gums and chewing, but fever or diarrhoea can have another cause, so we don’t want to assume it’s only teething.”
Sources
- TeethingAmerican Academy of Pediatrics / HealthyChildren.org
Reviewed by Saha editorial on 2026-10-04. Editorial review does not mean clinician review or medical validation.