For most infants who are teething fever is a rare occurrence and often coincidental with an infection or other health issues. While a low-grade fever of about 100-degrees may be present, if it goes even slightly high the pediatrician should be contacted to learn the true cause of the fever. While a fever has been thought to be a sign of teething, it is not often the case and if it coincides with teething, a doctor should be consulted especially if the fever is accompanied by diarrhea.

While many pediatricians point out that teething fever is a myth and often the result of an infection unrelated to an infant’s teething, some still insist that a fever is a natural part of teething. Finding a straight answer may be difficult but many mothers contend that when their infants were teething and had a fever, taking the to the pediatrician often resulted in no cause, other than teething, being found for the temperature rise. Other doctors says it is possible for the fever to be a response to the stress on the infant caused by the teething process.

As most pediatricians point out that among all the signs of teething fever is not usually one of them. While every child is different and may react differently to the teething process, a fever is generally caused by something other than cutting teeth.

Studies Do Not Support Theory Of Teething Fever

Numerous studies of infants while they were teething have been conducted and each time a child is taken to the pediatrician for check ups or other medical concerns, a record is made of their temperature. In studies of those who were teething fever was rarely cause for concern. With some having a low-grade temperature of around 100-degrees, fevers pushing the thermometer higher were generally caused by an infection.

Others however, argue that the stress placed on an infant by the teeth pushing through the gums is enough to cause a rise in temperature. The fussiness and crying generally associated with teething can cause a fever in some infants. Additionally, with the parents constantly holding the infant while teething fever may be caused by an increase in body temperature transferred by the parent.

There are numerous methods available to reduce the discomfort by a teething child such as rubbing the gums or allowing them to chew on clean wet rags. Other cures such as rubbing the gums with an alcoholic beverage is discouraged by most doctors and instead suggest topical anesthetic gels for temporary relief. 

Tags: teething fever, baby teething

Teething infants are rarely fun to be around, but parents have no choice but to do their best in relieving the discomfort often associate with children when their baby teeth being to emerge from below the gum line. With the mess of many gels used by rubbing them on their gums or the frozen wet rag that can cause gum bruising if left in the freezer too long, many parents are switching to teething drops to help alleviate the pain.

Many of the homeopathic teething drops use all natural ingredients and are sold over the counter without regulation. Parents should carefully consider the ingredients they contain and their potential effect on their child. Certain teething drops contain chamomile, which is typically safe for use as a calming agent for adults as well as children. However, as a member of the daisy family it can cause problems for people with ragweed allergies. In infants it is unknown what they may be allergic to, but if either parent suffers from this type allergy, there is a good possibility the infant will also suffer.

Used in the small doses normally associated with teething drops, belladonna can be a beneficial ingredient. Often used in ophthalmology to dilate pupils, its use in teething remedies has been questioned due to its high toxicity. However, the dosage claimed to be in teething drops is considered too low to prevent any health risks. Regardless, since this and other over-the-counter homeopathic remedies are not under safety control, it will be wise to check with the pediatrician before using them.

One Type Does Not Fit All With Remedies

As with many medications, natural or otherwise, they do not always have the same effect or offer the same benefit to everyone. Each child is different and will respond to treatments differently. What works on one, may not work on another, even those from the same family. The same will be true with teething drops, and any other product designed to reduce the discomfort of teething. If one treatment does no provide the desired results, there are many others that may provide relief.

Many pediatricians claim that alcohol can help get through the teething process, but should only be used by the parents and never used to rub on an infant’s gums. The alcohol can have an adverse effect on the digestive tract if too much is inadvertently applied. Look for teething drops that have a specially shaped dropper to make applying the drops on the gums easy for both the parents and infant. 

Tags: teething drops, baby teething