No, teething doesn’t cause colds; cold symptoms come from viruses, while teething brings drooling and gum discomfort.
New teeth and sniffles often arrive in the same season, so it’s easy to link them. Still, the science is clear: viruses cause colds. Teething brings mouth soreness, extra drool, and a cranky mood, but it doesn’t trigger runny noses, fevers over 38°C, or coughs on its own. That difference matters because it guides what you do next, from soothing sore gums to watching for signs that point to an actual illness.
What Teething Really Does
Most babies start cutting teeth between four and seven months, with timing that varies a lot. The lower front teeth usually appear first, then uppers, then molars and canines. During these weeks, saliva ramps up and gums feel tender. You may notice drool rash around the chin, wet shirts, and the urge to chew anything within reach. A slight rise in temperature can happen, but a true fever means something else is going on.
Can A Baby Get A Cold From Teething? Causes, Myths, And What To Watch
This question keeps parents up at night. The overlap of timing, day-care germs, and hand-to-mouth habits makes colds common during the teething window. Still, teething isn’t the cause. Colds spread through droplets and shared surfaces; that’s why handwashing and cleaning high-touch items make a real dent in risk. Your job is to match symptoms to the right bucket: teething care or cold care.
Teething Vs. Cold: The Quick Scan
Use the table below to size up what you see at home. It lists common signs, what teething typically brings, and when a cold is the better fit.
| Symptom | Teething | Likely Cold? |
|---|---|---|
| Drooling | Common and often heavy | Not a key driver |
| Gum Swelling | Yes, tender ridges | No |
| Chewing On Objects | Frequent | Not specific |
| Runny Nose | Mild or none | Common with viruses |
| Cough | From drool only | Common with colds |
| Fever ≥ 38°C | No | Points to illness |
| Sleep Changes | Light disruption | Worse when sick |
| Appetite | Slower with sore gums | Lower with illness |
| Rash On Chin | Drool rash common | Less typical |
Why The Mix-Up Happens
Babies explore the world by putting hands and toys in their mouths. That habit peaks during teething, which increases drool and chewing. At the same time, many families start day care in the back half of the first year. New contacts mean new germs. The overlap creates the illusion that teeth cause colds. In reality, the virus exposure and touch-face cycle do the work, not the cutting tooth.
Close Variant: Can Teething Make A Cold Seem Worse?
Yes, teething can make a mild cold feel messier. Extra drool can thicken nasal mucus and trigger a gaggy cough. Gum pain can shorten naps, which leaves a grumpy baby who rubs the face more and spreads germs. The tooth isn’t the spark, but it can add fuel to the noise around a virus.
How To Tell Teething From A Cold
Check Temperature The Right Way
Use a rectal thermometer for babies. A reading of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher is a fever and points to illness, not teething. A mild rise below that can pair with cutting a tooth, but it should pass quickly.
Look At Where The Pain Lives
Teething pain sits in the gums. Press a clean finger along the ridge. If chewing and gentle pressure soothe the baby, that leans toward teething. Ear tugging can happen with both; pair it with fever or poor feeds and think illness.
Track The Mucus Pattern
Clear drool with a hint of drip fits teething. Thick green or yellow snot, blocked nose, and a wet cough point to a cold. Watch energy and feeds: playful with mild drips feels like teething; low energy and quick breathing suggest a virus is on board.
What The Medical Sources Say
Major pediatric groups note that teething does not set off fevers or colds. A slight bump in temperature can happen, but a real fever means infection. For symptom lists and safe care steps, see the NHS teething symptoms. For how colds spread and how handwashing cuts risk, see the CDC common cold overview.
Safe Relief For Teething Pain
Simple Soothers That Work
Cool is your friend. Offer a chilled teething ring or a clean, cold washcloth to chew. Rub the gums with a clean finger for a minute. Keep bibs handy and change wet tops to prevent drool rash. Wipe the chin often and use a thin barrier ointment before naps and bedtime.
What To Skip
Avoid teething gels with benzocaine or lidocaine. Skip amber necklaces due to choking and strangulation risk. Frozen rings turn too hard. Teething tablets that claim herbal blends also raise safety flags. When in doubt, ask your child’s clinician before trying any product that promises fast relief.
When Medicine Fits
If pain spikes and simple steps fail, a weight-based dose of infant acetaminophen can help. For dosing, follow the product label from your country and your clinician’s advice. Avoid aspirin. Keep all medicines locked away after use.
Cold Care When A Virus Hits
Most colds in babies are mild and pass in a week or two. Focus on comfort and fluids. Offer frequent feeds. Use saline drops and a nasal bulb to clear the nose before sleep and feeds. Run a cool-mist humidifier in the room. Keep smoke out of the air. Wash hands often and clean shared toys and surfaces.
Signs You Should Call The Doctor
- Age under three months with any fever
- Fever 38°C or higher for more than a day, or any fever that returns after a break
- Fast or hard breathing, chest pulling in, or lips that look blue
- Dehydration signs: fewer wet diapers, dry mouth, tears that stop
- Ear pain, nonstop crying, or a cough that lingers past two weeks
- Worsening rash, poor feeds, or low energy
Safety Notes On Tools And Toys
Stick with items made for babies and check labels. Big knots, beads, and long strings raise choking and strangulation risk. Teethers should pass a gentle tug test and have no cracks. Clean daily with warm soapy water and air dry. Toss items that feel sticky, smell odd, or show wear. Rotating a few safe chew toys keeps interest high and lowers the urge to gnaw unsafe objects.
Table Of Age-Wise Teething Care
Match relief to age with this quick guide. If you have any doubt about dosing or methods, reach out to your child’s clinician.
| Age | What Helps | What To Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| 0–3 months | Clean finger rubs, cuddles | Necklaces, gels |
| 4–6 months | Chilled ring, washcloth | Frozen toys |
| 7–9 months | Cool teether, short gum rubs | Sticky teething biscuits |
| 10–12 months | Humidifier at night | Honey in any form |
| 12–18 months | Soft silicone chew toys | Small beads |
| 18–24 months | Chew toys, calm routines | Hard frozen objects |
| 24–36 months | Brush habit with tiny smear of fluoride paste | Minty strong pastes |
Clean Hands, Fewer Colds
Since colds come from viruses, cutting spread is the goal. Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after diaper changes, before feeds, and when you arrive home. Use a sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol when sinks are out of reach. Keep a small pump near the changing table and another by the door to build the habit.
Teething Timing And Tooth Order
The usual order is lowers, uppers, first molars, then canines, with wide timing swings that still count as normal. A baby may cut two teeth at once or pause for weeks, then race again. By the third birthday most children have a full set of twenty primary teeth. Early brushing with a soft brush and a rice-size smear of fluoride paste protects those new surfaces from the start.
Myths That Keep Circulating
“Teething Causes High Fever”
High readings match illness, not teething. If your baby hits 38°C or higher, treat that as a fever from another cause. Pair that with lethargy, breathing trouble, or a new rash and call your clinic the same day.
“Green Snot Means Teeth”
Color changes reflect mucus sitting in the nose. Green or yellow discharge, blocked breathing at night, and a wet cough line up with a cold. Teeth don’t create infected mucus.
“More Teeth Coming Means More Colds”
Colds cluster when babies meet more people and touch more toys. The rise in colds runs with exposure, not tooth count. During the same months, teething is active, which makes the two feel linked.
Day Care, Siblings, And Germ Paths
Shared play spaces bring shared germs. Wipe common toys, wash hands on drop-off and pickup, and pack a spare set of clothes for drool-soaked days. Teach older siblings a simple routine: wash hands when they walk in, cover coughs, and keep drink cups to themselves. These small moves shave down the number of colds across the season.
Breathing And Sleep When A Cold Strikes
Nasal blockage makes feeds and sleep rough. Clear the nose with saline and gentle suction before naps and bedtime. Run a cool-mist humidifier near the crib, pointed away from the face. Keep the crib free of loose items, and place your baby flat on the back for every sleep. If you hear fast breathing, see ribs pulling in, or notice blue lips, seek care right away.
Feeding When Gums Are Sore
Try cooler foods if your baby eats solids: yogurt, chilled purees, and soft fruit from the fridge. Aim for small, frequent feeds. If bottle nipples collapse, switch flow or pause to let air back in. Breastfeeding parents may notice more biting; break the latch gently, offer a teether, then relatch when the baby calms.
When Teething And A Cold Happen Together
This combo is common. Treat each part: soothe the gums and manage the virus. Clear the nose before feeds, then offer the chilled ring. Keep fluids steady to thin mucus. Watch breathing and fever. If worries rise, call your child’s clinic for guidance.
What To Say To Caregivers
Share a simple plan with grandparents, sitters, and day-care staff. List the baby’s usual teething cues, what helps, and when to call you. Add dosing instructions if your clinician has approved a pain reliever. Keep the plan on the fridge and in the diaper bag so everyone acts the same way.
When A Dental Visit Helps
Many dentists welcome babies around the first tooth or by the first birthday. A quick check can spot tongue-tie concerns, enamel defects, or bottle caries risk. You’ll also get hands-on brushing tips and advice on fluoride in your area. Keep visits short, upbeat, and scheduled at a happy time of day.
Supply Checklist For The Teething Months
- Two or three food-grade silicone teethers
- Clean washcloths you can chill
- Soft bibs and spare shirts
- Barrier ointment for drool rash
- Bulb syringe and saline drops
- Cool-mist humidifier with fresh filters
- Digital thermometer with a rectal tip
Plain-Language Answer You Can Share
Can A Baby Get A Cold From Teething? No. Teeth don’t spread viruses. They can make a mild cold feel messier, but the cold comes from germs picked up through hands, toys, and close contact.
Recap: Teething Doesn’t Cause Colds
Can A Baby Get A Cold From Teething? No. Teeth bring drool and gum aches; viruses bring snot, cough, and fever. Match care to the cause, keep hands clean, and reach out for help when red flags appear. With the right steps, you’ll ride out sore gums and the odd cold with less stress and more sleep.