No, teething doesn’t cause a baby’s runny nose; nasal drip usually comes from a cold or allergies, while drool can make the nose seem wetter.
Parents often spot two things at once: a new tooth and fresh sniffles. Timing makes the link feel obvious. In practice, teething stays in the mouth—sore gums, chewing, drooling—while a runny nose points to something else, most often a virus. Sorting the difference helps you care with confidence and avoid chasing the wrong fix.
Can A Baby Get A Runny Nose From Teething? Symptoms Vs. Illness
You’ll see plenty of drool during teething. Saliva can drip forward or backward, giving the nose and lips a wet sheen. That sheen isn’t the same thing as mucus. Teething doesn’t inflame the nasal lining. When true mucus shows up, the common drivers are colds, allergens, dry rooms, or irritants like smoke or perfume.
Use the quick checker below to match what you see with what’s likely going on.
| Sign You See | Teething Likelihood | What It Usually Means |
|---|---|---|
| Lots of drool | High | Saliva surges with gum pressure; wet bibs are routine. |
| Chewing on hands or toys | High | Pressure on gums soothes discomfort. |
| Red, puffy gums | High | Tooth pushing through tissue. |
| Irritability near naps | Medium | Short cranky spells, mostly around eruption days. |
| Clear nose drip only during heavy drool | Medium | Drool collects near nostrils and mimics a light runny nose. |
| Runny nose that lasts 3–7 days | Low | Classic viral cold window. |
| Thick yellow/green mucus after day 3 | Low | Maturing cold; color alone doesn’t require antibiotics. |
| Cough with congestion | Low | Postnasal drip from a cold. |
| Fever ≥38°C/100.4°F | Low | Illness until proven otherwise. |
| Diarrhea or vomiting | Low | Think infection, diet shift, or another cause. |
| Rash only around the mouth | Medium | Drool rash; protect skin with a thin barrier ointment. |
Why The Link Gets Blamed On Teething
Most babies cut the first tooth somewhere between four and ten months, then add more for the next year or two. Those months also bring daycare exposure, siblings with colds, and a lot of toy sharing. Overlap feeds the myth. That’s why so many families still ask, “can a baby get a runny nose from teething?” Daily life says yes; biology says no.
Close Variation: Runny Nose From Teething – What Parents Actually See
On heavy drool days, saliva drips forward. It thins any light moisture near the nostrils, so the area looks glossy or damp. Wiping then irritates skin, which adds redness. That picture can look like a cold at first glance. True colds stack on more clues: sneezes, stuffiness, naps that go sideways, or a cough that follows at night.
What Trusted Sources Say
Pediatric groups describe teething as a mouth-centered event: sore gums, crankiness, a small dip in appetite, and lots of saliva. They also spell out what teething doesn’t cause: fever, diarrhea, or a true runny nose. You can read the guidance yourself—see the AAP teething symptom checker and the NHS teething symptoms page, which both separate drool from cold-type mucus.
How To Tell Drool From A Cold
Think through three lenses: time, texture, and triggers. Short checks keep you on track without guesswork.
Time
Drool-driven wetness flares during active chewing and gum rubbing, then fades. A cold builds over a day or two, peaks around day three, and improves after a week or so.
Texture
Drool is thin and watery on the outer nose. Cold mucus ranges from clear to cloudy to yellow-green as days pass. It sticks to wipes and comes back minutes later.
Triggers
Drool spikes with teething rings, chilled cloths, and finger chewing. Cold symptoms tend to spread through the household, pair with sneezes or coughs, and often follow playgroup or daycare days.
What Causes A Baby’s Runny Nose
Most nasal drip comes from viruses picked up through touch or droplets. Allergens like dust mites or pet dander can play a role in some families. Dry rooms and smoke irritate the lining and lead to extra mucus. Strong scents can do the same. Teething doesn’t hit those pathways. It simply ramps up saliva and gum sensitivity.
Single-nostril drip can signal a bit of lodged fluff or a tiny toy part in toddlers. Bloody streaks point to dryness or frequent wiping. Fast breathing, flaring nostrils, or belly pulling in with each breath need prompt care.
Safe Soothers That Actually Help
Comfort the gums and clear the nose when needed. Small steps pay off fast.
Gum Comfort
- Massage the gums with a clean finger for up to a minute.
- Offer a firm teething ring from the fridge; skip the freezer.
- Give a cold, damp washcloth to chew under supervision.
Nose Care During Colds
- Use saline drops before feeds and sleep, then bulb suction or a nasal aspirator.
- Run a cool-mist humidifier in the sleeping area and clean it daily.
- Offer small, frequent feeds to keep fluids up when breathing is stuffy.
What To Skip And Why
Benzocaine gels and liquids carry safety risks and don’t work well because saliva washes them away quickly. Health agencies advise against them in babies and toddlers. Teething necklaces and bracelets raise choking and strangulation risks. Homeopathic tablets have raised safety concerns in past reports. Simple comfort beats gimmicks every time.
Skin And Mouth Care On Heavy Drool Days
Saliva can irritate the chin and chest. Swap damp bibs often and pat dry instead of rubbing. Add a thin layer of petroleum-based ointment before naps and overnight. If the skin cracks or looks weepy, call your clinician for care steps. Around the mouth, stick with soft cloths and water; perfumed wipes can sting.
Feeding When Noses Are Stuffy
Babies prefer small sips when they can’t breathe well through the nose. Offer shorter, more frequent feeds. Pause to clear the nose with saline and suction before nursing or bottles. Upright positions help with swallowing and reduce coughs from postnasal drip.
When To Call The Doctor
Call your clinician for any infant under three months with a fever, or any child with fast breathing, blue lips, fewer wet diapers, poor feeds, ear pulling with pain, or a runny nose that lingers beyond ten days. Trust your gut if your baby looks off, cries in a new way, or won’t settle. You know your child best.
Age Windows And What’s Typical
Teething often follows a predictable arc, while colds ebb and flow with seasons and exposure. This table sets simple expectations across the first years.
| Age Window | Teeth Often Erupting | Common Nose Situation |
|---|---|---|
| 4–7 months | Lower central incisors | Heavy drool days; early colds after daycare starts. |
| 8–12 months | Upper central incisors | More chewing; several short colds across this span. |
| 9–13 months | Upper/lower lateral incisors | On-off stuffiness from viruses; teething still mouth-focused. |
| 13–19 months | First molars | Sleep bumps during eruptions; colds last about a week. |
| 16–23 months | Canines | Drool rash pops up; runny noses still track with germs. |
| 23–33 months | Second molars | Less drool; fewer colds if exposure drops. |
Clear Answers To Common What-ifs
“The Nose Runs Only When A Tooth Cuts. What Gives?”
Teething days change routines. More toys in the mouth and less hand-washing at playdates raise germ sharing. A runny nose that syncs with tooth days can be coincidence powered by extra contact with other kids.
“Mucus Is Clear. Could That Be From Teething?”
Clear mucus often marks the first days of a cold or light irritation. Teething doesn’t switch on nasal glands. Saliva can thin what’s present, which makes the drip look stronger.
“Should I Try Medicine?”
Pain relievers like infant acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help short-term gum pain when dosing follows weight-based guidance from your clinician. Skip cough and cold syrups in infants.
Simple Care Plan You Can Follow Tonight
- Set the room: cool-mist humidifier, clean sheets, extra bibs within reach.
- Before sleep, try a 60-second gum rub and a chilled teething ring.
- If the nose is stuffy, add saline and gentle suction before feeds and naps.
- Offer smaller, more frequent feeds to make breathing easier.
- In the morning, note fever, breathing pattern, and energy level.
Myths That Keep Hanging Around
“Teething causes fever.” A true fever points to illness. Gum irritation can nudge temperature a touch, but not into fever range. If the thermometer reads 38°C/100.4°F or higher, treat that as illness.
“Green mucus needs antibiotics.” Color changes after a few days are common with colds. Antibiotics target bacteria, not viruses. Your clinician can guide you if symptoms drag on or pain points to an ear infection.
“Topical numbing gels fix the problem.” These wash away fast and add risk. Stick with massage, chilled rings, and simple pain relief when advised.
Care Mistakes To Avoid
- Leaving a necklace or bracelet on during sleep or travel.
- Using frozen rings that are rock-hard on tender gums.
- Over-wiping the nose, which leads to cracked skin and more fussiness.
- Letting the room get too dry; a small humidifier eases overnight stuffiness.
- Skipping hand-washing after playdates; quick wash cycles cut cold spread.
Bottom Line For Parents
Teeth don’t cause nasal mucus. Colds, allergens, and irritants do. Comfort the gums, protect the skin, and use simple sick-day basics when sniffles show up. If doubt creeps in, call your clinician. Clear steps beat guesswork.
Why This Matters For Safety
Mislabeling a cold as teething can delay care for ear infections, wheezing, or dehydration. Treating teething with topical numbing products adds risk without much benefit. Choose strategies with a strong safety record and a clear target: a comfortable baby and timely care when illness signs appear.
Final Word On The Big Question
You came here for one line. can a baby get a runny nose from teething? The answer is no. Teething brings drool and sore gums. A runny nose means something else is going on. With the cues above, you can tell the difference and act with confidence.