Temperature during teething

Is it normal for babies to have a teething fever?

When teething, your baby may actually develop a fever. When a tooth moves inside the gum, its tissue is injured. The child is in pain and is nervous. And since the baby’s thermoregulation mechanisms are not yet perfect, his temperature can rise even in response to stress. Later, when baby teeth are replaced with permanent teeth, the child may also experience discomfort, but his temperature will remain normal.

However, an increase in temperature during teething may also indicate that the child is simply sick. When a baby is teething, his body experiences additional stress, so his immunity is weakened. Sometimes parents attribute a high fever to “teeth,” but at this time it is necessary to treat the viral infection.

Why is high temperature dangerous for a child and when should you sound the alarm?

High temperature (39-40 degrees) is extremely dangerous for children in their first year of life. Because of this, disruption of the central nervous system and heart, and convulsions are possible. A rapid increase over several hours and one that is difficult to bring down with antipyretics is very dangerous.

As a result of a sharp increase, the temperature center of the brain is not able to withstand such a load, which can cause seizures. Children with central nervous system pathology are at risk. They cannot be risked, and the temperature must be brought down as soon as it has already risen to 37.5 degrees.

What to do if your child has a fever?

If, when teething, the child is restless, asks to be held, or cries, there is no need to worry. All parents go through this, you are not the first and you will not be the last. It is much worse if the baby does not react to anything, constantly sleeps and behaves very calmly. When the temperature rises, this is an alarming signal.

In this case, monitor your child with special attention and measure the temperature every hour. This can be done in the crease near the groin or armpit. To do this, it is better to use an electronic thermometer: it will be able to show you the result much faster than a mercury thermometer, in addition, it is more accurate. It is also safer and cannot be broken.

If the child’s temperature cannot be measured this way, it can be done rectally. To do this, lubricate the tip of the thermometer with baby cream, then carefully insert it into the rectum. Pinch the child's buttocks and wait for a signal indicating that the measurement is complete.

Important: when measured in the rectum, the values will always be higher compared to those in the armpit. The norm is a temperature within 37-37.5 degrees. Once you get a score of 38.5 or higher, be sure to shoot it down.

How do you know if your baby is unwell? There are signs that indicate a condition where high fever is dangerous:

The skin feels dry and hot to the touch.
Lips become dry.
Eyes sparkle.
Cheeks turn red.
The baby rarely urinates.

If you see them, remember that urgent help is needed, because this condition is extremely dangerous for the child’s body.

Methods for reducing temperature

To reduce fever in young children, you can only use drugs based on paracetomol or ibuprofen in the form of syrups and suppositories. Tablets are not given to children under 3 years of age, as it is difficult to correctly calculate the dosage of the medicine.

When the temperature is high, the child needs to be given water often. Warm water, fruit drinks and compotes without sugar, and children's tea with rose hips are suitable. If the child is breastfeeding, continue breastfeeding as required and supplement between feedings.

The room of a sick child must be regularly ventilated and the air humidity in it must be at least 40%. To do this, you can use humidifiers or at least hang wet towels. The room temperature should not be higher than 18-20 ℃.

Thus:

Temperature during teething in babies of the first year of life, one year and older is normal if other reasons for its increase are excluded.
During teething, the temperature lasts an average of 1-3 days.
Temperatures above 38.5 ℃ should be alarming, since during teething it increases by only half a degree.
Temperatures above 38.5 ℃ should be brought down. If the child is capricious and does not feel well, then an antipyretic can be given at a lower temperature.
The temperature of young children is brought down with paracetamol and ibuprofen in the form of syrups and suppositories. The room where the child is located must be regularly ventilated, wet cleaned, and ensure normal humidity and temperature. A sick child should be provided with rest and plenty of warm drinks.

(0 ratings; article rating 0)

Share Share Share

Why does the temperature rise

Teething is a traumatic process. Dental units damage the gum mucosa and inflammation occurs, which in medicine is called aseptic (microbial-free). This process is accompanied by an increase in temperature. In addition, during teething, some processes occur in the baby’s body that stimulate hyperthermia:

at the site of localization of future milk teeth, specific substances necessary for softening the bone tissue of the jaw begin to be actively produced;
Since all the forces of the child’s body are aimed at teething as quickly as possible, the immune system weakens a little. During this period, infectious agents present in the body may become active and diseases will begin to progress. Many of them are accompanied by an increase in temperature.

Damaged gums are the “entry gate” for infection. Through them, pathogenic microflora can penetrate the body and provoke the development of a septic inflammatory process. The body also responds to such an attack with an increase in temperature. To prevent infection, it is recommended to take more careful care of your baby’s gums during this difficult period for him. Pharmaceutical companies now produce many drugs that have a triple effect - relieve pain, reduce inflammation, fight viruses, bacteria and fungi. But before using these medications, it is recommended to consult your pediatrician.

How long can an elevated body temperature remain?

There is no clear answer to this question. It all depends on the health of the baby. As for the results of long-term observations, on average, the increased body temperature of a child during the formation of baby teeth persists for one to three days. It is important to note that when the top of the tooth appears above the surface of the gum, body temperature returns to normal. This happens as each tooth erupts.

However, statistics show that in some children, elevated body temperature persists for four or even five days, and the fever can last only a few hours and go away on its own.

Knowing all of the above does not mean that parents should not show their baby to pediatricians. An extra examination by a specialist will never hurt, but, on the contrary, will help identify diseases at the earliest stage of their development.

Symptoms indicating pathology

An increase in temperature during teething is a natural process. This is a kind of protective reaction of the baby’s body. At this time, it is necessary to carefully assess the general condition of the child. Sometimes dangerous pathologies can be hidden behind teething syndrome. Therefore, parents should know the symptoms indicating the progression of the pathological process:

Vomit. Single vomiting can occur at high temperatures. But if it recurs, the baby feels very bad and has diarrhea, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible. These are signs of intestinal infection or poisoning.
Nasal congestion or discharge of thick yellow-green snot. This is not the norm, it is a pathology that requires adequate and immediate treatment.
Coughing. During teething, a lot of saliva is released. Often children simply do not have time to swallow it, and they may choke. A cough appears reflexively, which is not pathological. But if wheezing is heard and a certain amount of sputum is released during coughing, this indicates the development of diseases of the upper respiratory tract (tracheitis, bronchitis and others).
Stomach ache. With normal teething, this symptom should be absent. If the baby is restless, capricious, cries, or pulls his legs toward his stomach, these are alarming signs. Especially if the abdominal pain is accompanied by repeated vomiting. This symptom complex indicates the development of an intestinal infection. The child could pick it up through toys and other objects that he pulled into his mouth.
Red throat. Swelling from the gums does not spread to the palate. It can spread to the nasal cavity. If the throat and palate are hyperemic (reddened) upon examination, this is the first sign of the development of pharyngitis.

If you have at least one of these symptoms, you should immediately contact your doctor or go to a medical facility. There the child will be examined by a pediatrician and prescribed the correct treatment. It is prohibited to give any medications (except antipyretics) at home without prior approval from the doctor.

Ways to lower temperature at home

Rubdowns can be done at intervals of 2 hours. Wipe your hands, knees, armpits, and groin area with a soft cloth soaked in water at room temperature. It is important to prevent hypothermia!
Drinking plenty of fluids is recommended to reduce fever. This will relieve intoxication and protect the child from dehydration.

The main thing that parents of a teething child will need most is patience.
If your child has dental problems, the Dentistry Center will come to the rescue. Experienced pediatric dentists work here who will find an approach to any fidget, and in a playful way will treat children’s teeth using the most modern techniques.

Doctors at our clinic work with visitors of all ages.

When and in what order do baby teeth emerge?

For most children, the teething pattern looks like this:

At 6-8 months, two central lower incisors appear.
At 8-9 months, the upper central incisors.
At 9-12 months, the upper lateral incisors erupt.
At 11-12 months, the lower lateral incisors.
At 12-15 months, the upper and lower molars.
At 16-18 months, the upper canines
At 18-20 months, the lower canines.
Chewing teeth erupt at 2-3 years of age.

During normal development, baby teeth erupt in each area within 2-10 days, and the most unpleasant symptoms usually appear within 2-5 days. All 20 baby teeth erupt by age 3.

What to do if teeth are cut chaotically and behind schedule?

There is no need to sound the alarm right away. In some children, teething begins at 3 months, and in some at 10, and this is not a pathology, but a feature of the body. The same applies to the violation of the order of appearance of the incisors.

But if there is a delay of 3-5 months, you need to go for a consultation with a pediatrician or dentist.