Teething is not pleasant for anyone. After all, small sharp teeth pushing through sensitive gums can cause at least some discomfort, and one of the common symptoms of teething is restless behavior. Many first-time parents wonder if teething can also cause other symptoms, such as a runny nose. Teething causes other symptoms.

Teething symptoms

Babies who are starting to get their teeth usually show increased salivation and drooling, which can cause a red rash in the mouth area. This can sometimes resemble clear nasal mucus. Other common symptoms caused by teething include mild fever, a greater desire to bite things and mild pain, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Other symptoms

Sometimes parents claim that their babies have diarrhea, high fever and earache due to teething. According to the AAP, these symptoms are not caused by the dentition. They can be caused by the introduction of solid foods, a cold, an ear infection, a sinus infection or allergies. For example, when a baby starts eating solid foods, he may develop diarrhea, until his body adjusts to new foods. And many babies start to cool down when they start teething, as they start chewing on toys that other babies have chewed, thus spreading germs.

Relieve symptoms

Resist the temptation to rub an oral teething gel over your baby’s sore gums. Although these gels are often sold over the counter, it does not mean they are safe for your little one. In fact, the AAP recommends not using such gels, since babies may ingest too much of them, which could numb the back of the throat and may prevent them from feeding properly. Instead, cool a teething ring in the refrigerator – not the freezer, as it may get too hard – or give the baby a teething cookie. Gently pressing the gums with your finger sometimes helps as well.

A note of caution

If your baby has a runny nose or other symptoms of an illness, it is important to consult a pediatrician, rather than assuming that the symptoms are caused by teething. Parents who attribute these symptoms to dentition may rule out the need to see a doctor, which could put the baby in danger of dehydration or a worsening situation.

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