No—teething doesn’t cause a true cough; drool can trigger throat irritation that sounds cough-like.
Parents hear plenty of mixed advice about teething and coughs. You want a straight answer you can act on. Here it is: teething does not cause respiratory infection or a chesty cough. Extra drool during tooth eruption can pool in the mouth, especially at night, and that saliva can tickle the throat. The result may be a brief, wet sound or gag-type reflex. That’s not the same as a cold, croup, bronchiolitis, or allergies. The sections below show how to tell drool-driven sounds from an illness, what care brings relief, and when to call a clinician.
Teething Vs. Illness: Quick Symptom Guide
This early table gives you a fast way to compare common teething signs with symptoms that point to a true infection or another cause of cough.
| Sign Or Symptom | More Consistent With | What It Usually Means |
|---|---|---|
| Drooling, chin rash | Teething | Saliva production rises, skin gets irritated |
| Chewing on hands or toys | Teething | Sore gums seek pressure relief |
| Brief gag or wet throat sound at night | Teething (drool) | Saliva pooling triggers a reflex, not airway infection |
| Runny or stuffy nose lasting 3–10 days | Cold or allergy | Viral upper airway irritation or allergen exposure |
| Fever ≥ 38°C (100.4°F) | Illness | Likely infection; teething doesn’t drive high temps |
| Hard, persistent cough; wheeze; fast breathing | Illness | Needs medical advice, especially in infants |
| Poor feeding, low energy | Illness | Systemic signs that go beyond teething discomfort |
Can A Baby Get A Cough From Teething? What Doctors Say
Major pediatric groups teach that teething brings local gum symptoms and drool, not fever or chest illness. If you hear a small nighttime throat sound while new teeth are coming in, think drool first. If your child has real cough fits, noisy breathing, or fever, think infection or another trigger and reach out to your child’s clinician.
Can Babies Get A Cough From Teething—What’s Typical?
During the first teeth, the salivary glands switch into high gear. Drool can spill forward (bib soaks fast) or slide backward. When it trickles onto the throat, babies may cough once or twice, clear it, and go right back to sleeping or playing. You might also hear a wet squeak after lying flat, especially during naps. That pattern—brief, linked to position, and fading once saliva is swallowed—fits teething-time drool rather than a lung issue.
Clear Signs It’s An Actual Cough From Illness
Some clues say “this is more than drool”:
- Breathing looks hard: ribs pull in, nostrils flare, or the belly works fast.
- Stridor (harsh noise on breath in), wheeze, or a barky quality that keeps repeating.
- Fever, poor feeding, vomiting, or low energy along with the cough.
- Symptoms spread through the family or daycare.
- Lasts beyond a week without easing, or keeps coming back quickly.
If your baby is under 3 months and seems unwell, call your clinician without delay. Under 12 months, any labored breathing or feeding trouble needs same-day advice. If lips look blue, the baby is very sleepy, or breathing pauses, call emergency services.
Why Teething Gets Blamed For Coughs So Often
Teething and common colds overlap in time. The first teeth often show up between 6 and 12 months—the same stretch when babies start daycare, meet new viruses, and put objects in their mouths. That overlap breeds confusion. Another reason: both situations can add a runny nose and drool. The difference lies in the whole picture. Gum soreness and drool do not bring true fever spikes or chest symptoms. Colds bring a sequence—sneezing, stuffy nose, mild fever, then cough—over several days.
Simple Home Care For Drool-Related Throat Sounds
When the sound is tied to saliva, gentle steps help:
- Keep air humid. A cool-mist humidifier near the crib eases upper-air dryness.
- Elevate slightly during naps. For supervised time, hold the baby semi-upright so pooled drool clears faster.
- Use saline drops and suction. Loosen nasal mucus before feeds; go easy to avoid irritation.
- Offer teething relief. Chilled (not frozen) rings or a clean, cool washcloth bring gum comfort.
- Bib barrier and skin care. Swap wet bibs often and pat the chin dry; use a gentle barrier cream on rash-prone areas.
Safe Cough Soothers By Age
When a cold is also in the mix, stick to age-safe care. Over-the-counter cough syrups are not advised in young kids. Honey soothes night cough in kids over one year; never give honey to an infant under 12 months.
| Age | What Helps | What To Skip |
|---|---|---|
| 0–3 months | Saline drops, gentle suction, humidifier, frequent small feeds | All OTC cough/cold syrups; honey |
| 4–11 months | Saline, humidifier, upright cuddles, extra fluids as advised | OTC cough/cold syrups; honey |
| 12–23 months | Honey ½–1 tsp as needed, warm fluids, saline, humidifier | OTC cough/cold syrups unless your clinician says OK |
| 2–5 years | Honey, saline, humidifier, chest rubs with camphor/menthol/eucalyptus | Multi-ingredient OTC syrups without guidance |
| Any age | Smoke-free home, hand-washing, plenty of rest | Vapor rubs on broken skin; strong decongestants in little ones |
When To Call A Clinician
Ring your child’s doctor now if any of these crop up:
- Breathing looks tough, or you hear grunting or wheeze.
- Feeding drops off, fewer wet diapers, or your child seems listless.
- Stridor (harsh noise on breathing in), a barky cough, or cough fits.
- Fever in a baby under 3 months, or fever that keeps going beyond three days.
- Cough lingers beyond 10 days without improvement.
Call emergency services if your child’s lips look blue, your child is too drowsy to rouse, breathing pauses, or you sense a life-threatening issue.
What Teething Can Do (And What It Can’t)
Teething can:
- Make gums sore and puffy in spots where a tooth is pushing through.
- Boost drool, which can lead to chin rash and mild gagging sounds.
- Trigger chewing and brief fussiness.
Teething can’t:
- Cause a high fever.
- Cause ear infections, chest infections, or diarrhea.
- Explain a cough that is frequent, harsh, or paired with breathing trouble.
Practical Day-And-Night Care Plan
Daytime Tips
- Rotate safe chew items and keep them clean.
- Offer cool water sips with meals for older babies ready for cups.
- Run a humidifier in play areas if the air feels dry.
- Step outside for fresh air if your baby is comfortable and the weather allows.
Nighttime Tips
- Keep the crib clear; place your child on the back to sleep.
- Use a firm mattress and a fitted sheet only.
- If a drool sound wakes your child, offer a brief cuddle upright, then settle back to sleep.
Smart Use Of Medicines
Avoid routine cough and cold syrups in young children. Pain relievers for gum soreness can help if a clinician approves the dose. For cough relief in kids over one year, a small spoon of honey before bed often eases the night. Skip honey in infants under one year due to botulism risk. If symptoms stick around, check in with your clinician before starting any new medicine.
Two Linked Questions Parents Ask
Why Does My Baby Cough More When Lying Flat?
Gravity lets saliva slide back toward the throat. That triggers a brief cough or gag, then it clears. A short cuddle upright usually settles things. If the sound keeps going or breathing looks labored, treat it as illness rather than drool.
Can A Baby Get A Cough From Teething? In Real Life
Across homes and clinics, the pattern is the same: drool can spark a short throat sound. If you notice fever, chest noise, or hard work of breathing, you’re dealing with more than teething. That is the time to call your doctor’s office.
Step-By-Step Checklist
- Scan the full picture. Teething signs without fever point to drool, not infection.
- Watch the work of breathing. Any pulling at the ribs or fast rate needs urgent advice.
- Treat what you see. Saline, suction, cool-mist, and chilled chew toys cover most drool-days.
- Keep honey age rules. Use honey only after the first birthday.
- Set a time box. If cough-like sounds last past a week or grow harsher, book a visit.
Trusted Reading And Rules You Can Rely On
For clear teething guidance and red-flag symptoms, see the NHS teething symptoms page. For cough care and what’s safe by age, review pediatric advice on honey, saline, and the strong stance against routine OTC syrups for young kids in the AAP common cold guidance.
Bottom Line For Parents
Teething brings drool, gum aches, and short gag-like sounds. A real cough points to a cold, croup, allergies, or another cause. Use gentle care at home, follow age rules for honey and medicines, and call your clinician early if breathing looks hard, feeding drops off, or fever enters the picture.