Will Teething Cause Runny Nose?

Many parents notice their baby has a runny nose right around the same time a new tooth appears. It is easy to connect the two events. The short answer is that teething itself does not cause a true runny nose, but the two often happen at the same time for a specific reason. Teething can cause mild inflammation and increased drooling, which may make a baby sound congested, but a genuine runny nose with clear or colored mucus is usually a sign of something else, like a common cold virus.

Why Does My Baby Have a Runny Nose During Teething?

The link between teething and a runny nose is mostly about timing and shared symptoms, not cause and effect. Teething typically begins around 6 months of age. This is also the exact time when babies lose the antibodies they received from their mother during pregnancy. Their immune systems are becoming independent, which makes them more vulnerable to everyday viruses.

Teething also causes babies to put their hands and other objects into their mouths more often to relieve gum pressure. This increases their exposure to germs. So a baby who is teething is also more likely to catch a mild viral infection. The runny nose you see is often a mild cold, not a direct effect of the tooth pushing through the gum.

Increased drooling is a well-documented part of teething. Excess saliva can pool in the back of the throat. This can cause a wet-sounding cough or a congested sound, especially when the baby is lying down. But this is a sound issue, not actual nasal mucus production.

What Are the Real Symptoms of Teething?

Research consistently shows that teething causes a specific set of mild symptoms. These include irritability, drooling, gum rubbing, and a slight increase in chewing or biting. Some babies also have mildly flushed cheeks or a slight temperature rise.

Importantly, studies have found that teething does not cause a fever above 100.4°F (38°C). It does not cause diarrhea, and it does not cause a true runny nose. When these symptoms appear together, they point to an infection rather than teething.

If your baby has a fever, a runny nose, and is pulling at their ears, it is more likely a viral illness or an ear infection. Teething discomfort usually resolves within a few days around the tooth eruption. Viral symptoms typically last longer and may worsen over the first few days.

How Can I Tell the Difference Between Teething and a Cold?

Look at the full picture of symptoms. A teething baby is usually otherwise well. They may be fussy and have trouble sleeping, but they eat and play reasonably normally. Their nose may sound wet from drool, but there is usually no visible discharge streaming from the nostrils.

A cold, on the other hand, comes with clear nasal discharge that progresses to thicker mucus. The baby may sneeze frequently, have a cough, and show signs of fatigue. A fever is more common with a cold, especially in the first 48 hours.

Another clue is the timing. Teething symptoms come and go over a few days. Colds tend to build over 2 to 3 days, peak, and then resolve over 7 to 10 days. If the runny nose lasts longer than 10 days without improvement, it could be a sinus infection or allergies, and you should consult your pediatrician.

When Should I Worry About My Baby’s Runny Nose?

Most runny noses in babies are harmless and resolve on their own. However, certain signs require medical attention. Call your pediatrician if your baby is under 3 months old and has a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.

Seek care if your baby is working hard to breathe. This includes fast breathing, nostril flaring, chest retractions (skin pulling in between the ribs), or a grunting sound with each breath. These are signs of respiratory distress, not teething.

Also call if your baby refuses to drink fluids, shows signs of dehydration (fewer wet diapers than usual, no tears when crying, or a sunken soft spot on the head), or has green, yellow, or bloody nasal discharge for more than a few days. Ear pain, excessive fussiness that does not improve, or a cough that lasts more than a week also warrant a call to the doctor.

How Do I Treat a Runny Nose in a Teething Baby?

Treatment depends on the cause. If the nose is just sounding congested from drool, position changes help. Hold your baby upright more often. Suctioning the mouth and nose gently with a bulb syringe can remove excess saliva.

If the runny nose is from a cold, the goal is comfort. Use a cool-mist humidifier in the room to keep nasal passages moist. Saline nasal drops are safe for babies. Place 1 to 2 drops in each nostril, wait a minute, then suction with a bulb syringe. Do this before feedings and bedtime.

For teething pain, offer a clean, chilled (not frozen) teething ring. You can also gently rub the gums with a clean finger. Infant acetaminophen or ibuprofen (only for babies 6 months and older) can be used for pain, but follow the dosing instructions on the package or from your pediatrician. Never use numbing gels containing benzocaine for babies under 2 years old. The FDA has warned against these products due to the risk of methemoglobinemia, a serious blood condition.

Do not give over-the-counter cold medicines to babies or young children. These products are not approved for children under 4 years old and have been linked to serious side effects. Antibiotics do not work against viral colds, so they will not help.

Can Teething Cause Other Symptoms Like Cough or Diarrhea?

Teething can cause a mild cough if excess drool triggers the gag reflex. This is a wet, occasional cough. It is not a persistent, dry, or hacking cough. If the cough is frequent or disrupts sleep, it is likely a respiratory infection.

The evidence on diarrhea and teething is mixed. Some older studies suggested a weak link, but more recent research has not confirmed this. If your baby has true diarrhea (frequent, watery stools), it is more likely from a stomach virus or something they ate. Teething alone should not cause significant digestive upset.

Rashes on the chin and cheeks are common during teething because constant drooling irritates the skin. This is a contact rash, not an allergic reaction. Keep the area clean and dry, and apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly as a barrier.

What Does the Research Actually Say About Teething Symptoms?

A well-known study published in Pediatrics followed a group of infants through the teething process. The researchers found that the only symptoms significantly associated with tooth eruption were increased gum rubbing, drooling, irritability, and a slight rise in temperature. They found no significant association between teething and runny nose, cough, diarrhea, or fever above 102°F.

Other studies have reached similar conclusions. A systematic review of the evidence confirmed that teething is not a cause of significant systemic symptoms. The review authors stressed that attributing high fevers or severe symptoms to teething can delay diagnosis of a real illness. This is a key point. If you assume a fever is from teething, you might miss a treatable ear infection or urinary tract infection.

The takeaway is straightforward. Teething is uncomfortable but not dangerous. It does not make a baby sick. If your baby seems genuinely unwell with a runny nose, fever, or cough, treat it as an illness and manage it accordingly.

How Long Does Teething Discomfort Last?

Each tooth takes about 8 days to fully erupt. The discomfort typically peaks a few days before the tooth breaks through the gum and resolves within a day or two after it appears. Babies have 20 primary teeth that come in over roughly 2 years. That means many days of potential fussiness, but each episode is short.

During these episodes, the increased drooling and hand-to-mouth behavior may make your baby more prone to picking up viruses. This is why it seems like your baby is always sick during teething. They are not sick from teething. They are sick because they are putting contaminated hands in their mouths more often.

Washing your baby’s hands frequently and wiping down teething toys can reduce germ exposure. This is one practical step to reduce the number of colds your baby catches during the teething months.