FC-0021 · Children28 Sep 2026
Claim
It is normal for a baby to have diarrhoea and a high fever while teething.
VerdictFalse
Can be harmful
Checked against NHS, WHO
Teething usually causes only mild signs, like sore gums and a small rise in temperature. High fever and loose motions are not normal in teething — they point to another illness, so a doctor should check the baby.
What experts say
- Most babies get their first tooth around 6 months, and teething signs are usually mild and last only a few days.1
- During teething a baby's temperature may go up a little, but it stays below 38C.1
- Teething does not cause high fever or loose motions.12
- Other common signs are sore red gums, more drooling, chewing on things, fussiness and not sleeping well.12
- If a baby with these signs is very unwell, another illness should be looked for and the baby needs a doctor's check.2
Why people believe it
Teething and baby illnesses often happen at the same age, so families link them, and this belief has been passed down for generations.
What to do
- If your baby has a high fever or loose motions, do not brush it off as teething — get the baby checked by a doctor.12
- For sore gums, gently rub the gum with a clean finger or give a cold teething ring to chew, and watch out for choking.2
- You know your baby best — if any symptom worries you, get medical advice instead of waiting.1
See a doctor if
Sources
- 1Baby teething symptomsnhs.uk
- 2Primary Healthcare Standard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicines Listwho.int
Updated 28 Sep 2026
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