Does Teething Cause Runny Nose: 5 Things to Know

So here’s the thing: every parent kind of braces themselves for teething. You know it’s coming — the drool, the gnawing on toys, the sleepless nights. But somewhere along the way, you start hearing that teething also leads to a runny nose. 

Maybe your grandmother swears by it, or another mom in your playgroup insists that when her baby cut their first molars, the sniffles showed up too. It makes you wonder, does teething cause runny nose — or is it one of those parenting myths that refuses to die?

Honestly, it’s not hard to see why people connect the dots. Around the time baby teeth (or primary teeth) erupt, babies are also being exposed to every germ in the daycare sandbox. That overlapping timeline means teething and colds often look like a package deal, even if they aren’t.

In this article, I’ll share 5 things worth knowing before you automatically assume a sniffly baby is just teething. We’ll talk about what’s really happening during tooth eruption, the common myths, and how to tell if the problem is bad for your gum pain or a sinus infection. 

And — because I’ve been there at 2 a.m. with a congested baby in one arm and a humidifier humming away — I’ll share some home remedies that actually help.

1. Does Teething Cause a Runny Nose?

This is the question that trips up so many parents. You see your baby’s gums swollen, maybe those first molars are pressing upward, and at the same time — constant nasal discharge. It’s tempting to think, well, the tooth eruption must be causing all that mucus production.

Why Parents Notice a Runny Nose During Teething

A few things overlap here:

• Drooling irritation – Babies drool so much during the teething phase that saliva can irritate skin around the mouth and even trickle toward the nasal cavity. Sometimes it looks like nasal tissues are producing more fluid, but really, it’s just messy overflow.
  
• Increased germ exposure – As babies chew on everything — from teething rings to the edge of a highchair tray — they introduce more bacteria and viruses into their mouths and noses. That’s why runny noses often show up right alongside gum pain.
  
• Weakened defenses – Not exactly a weak immune system, but more like an immature one. Babies in this age range haven’t built up protection against common colds and flu, so sniffles feel inevitable.
  

What Science Says?

Here’s the important part: research doesn’t support a direct link between teething and respiratory symptoms like congestion or runny nose. Pediatric experts — including the American Academy of Pediatrics and Johns Hopkins specialists from On Call for All Kids — make it clear: tooth eruption and mucus production are not cause-and-effect.

Dr. Mikaeya Kalantari from Hopkins Family Dentistry even explained that what looks like “teething cold” is usually a viral infection showing up at the exact same developmental stage as teething. In short: correlation, not causation.

The Real Causes of a Baby’s Runny Nose

If your baby’s nose is constantly runny during teething, chances are it’s from:

• Viral infections: common cold, RSV, or even a stomach virus with nasal side effects.
  
• Allergies: dust, pollen, pet dander, perfumes, or even irritation from scented baby wipes.
  
• Irritants: smoke, strong cleaning products, air pollution.
  

2. What Happens During Teething?

It helps to understand what your baby is actually going through before we connect it with symptoms like nasal discharge or cough. Teething isn’t just about little white teeth popping up — it’s an ongoing process that puts pressure on gums, affects sleep, and sometimes leaves everyone in the house cranky.

Timeline of Teething

Babies usually start teething somewhere between 4 and 7 months. Of course, there are always exceptions (my niece didn’t sprout her first central incisor until after her first birthday, and she’s fine). The order of tooth eruption generally looks something like this:

• Central incisors (bottom front teeth): 6–10 months
  
• Top central incisors: 8–12 months
  
• Lateral incisors: 9–13 months
  
• First molars: 13–19 months
  
• Canines: 16–23 months
  
• Second molars: 23–33 months
  

The whole teething phase stretches over two to three years, but it comes in waves. Some days your baby seems fine, and other days — drool-soaked bibs, irritability, and restless nighttime hours.

Common Teething Symptoms

Some of the well-recognized teething symptoms include:

• Excessive drooling (which can even lead to diaper rash because saliva irritates the skin)
  
• Gum swelling and redness around the tooth bud
  
• Irritability or fussiness, especially at night
  
• Chewing on objects (teething rings, wet washcloth, sometimes your fingers!)
  
• Slight sleep disruption
  
• Mild temperature rise (not a true fever, though — more like feeling a bit warm)
  

Pro tip: keep a few silicone teething toys chilled in the fridge (not frozen). Rotating them during the day gives your baby something safe to gnaw on and eases gum pain without medication.

Myths vs. Facts About Teething

Now, here’s where the confusion creeps in. Many parents believe does teething cause runny nose fever and cough. But studies — including ones cited by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and Cleveland Clinic — say otherwise.

• Myth: Teething causes fevers and runny noses.
  
• Fact: While teething pain can make a baby irritable and drooly, respiratory symptoms usually point to something else, like a common cold, viral infections, or even seasonal allergies.
  

That’s not to say you’re imagining things when you notice a mesh of symptoms during the teething phase. It’s just that gum swelling and tooth eruption aren’t the culprits behind mucus production or nasal discharge.

3. How to Tell If a Runny Nose Is from Teething or Illness

This is where things get tricky because parents don’t want to overreact, but they also don’t want to miss something serious. You’re standing there with tissues in one hand and a baby monitor blinking in the other, asking yourself: Is this just teething discomfort, or is my baby actually sick?

Signs It’s Likely Just Teething

Look for clues that line up with gum pain more than illness:

• Drooling so much you’re changing bibs several times a day
  
• Baby gnawing on a Teething Egg, silicone toothbrush, or even a cold wet washcloth
  
• Mild gum swelling and irritability, but otherwise alert
  
• Clear, watery, runny nose without cough, fever, or swollen glands
  

Signs It Could Be an Illness

Some symptoms lean more toward colds, flu, or other childhood illnesses:

• Fever over 100.4°F (38°C)
  
• Thick green mucus or yellowish nasal discharge
  
• Persistent cough, wheezing, or teething cough that sounds chesty
  
• Trouble feeding or swallowing, possibly with lethargy
  
• Signs of adenoid infection or swollen glands in the neck
  

Red Flags – When to Call a Doctor

Sometimes you just need professional reassurance. Call your pediatrician if:

• Your baby is under 3 months and has any cold-like symptoms
  
• They show dehydration signs: dry lips, fewer wet diapers, unusual sleepiness
  
• There’s a high fever plus runny nose
  
• Breathing looks labored or noisy, even during nighttime hours
  

📌 Pro Tip Table – Quick Symptom Guide

Symptom	Likely Teething	Possible Illness
Drooling + chewing	✅	❌
Clear, runny nose only	✅	❓ (watch duration)
Gum swelling + irritability	✅	❌
Green/yellow mucus	❌	✅
Fever over 100.4°F	❌	✅
Trouble breathing	❌	✅ (urgent)

4. Safe Home Remedies & Comfort Measures

Here’s the part most parents lean on because, let’s face it, no one wants to see their baby uncomfortable. Whether it’s gum pain or a congested little nose, you just want some relief that feels safe and simple.

For Teething Discomfort

Some remedies are so tried-and-true that pediatric dentists — from clinics like Hopkins Family Dentistry or Cinco Ranch Family Dentistry — recommend them over and over:

• Chilled teething rings (never frozen, because frozen toys can damage delicate gum tissues).
  
• Gum massage with a clean finger — babies often melt into calm when pressure is applied to sore gums.
  
• Cold washcloth (slightly damp, then chilled in the fridge) for chewing.
  
• Teething Mitt or a Teething Egg for babies who grab everything.
  

Other tools people try include silicone toothbrushes, mesh feeders filled with chilled fruit, or even a gentle rub with a baby-safe pediatrician-approved chest rub if congestion overlaps with fussiness.

For Runny Nose Relief

The goal here isn’t to stop mucus production — because, weirdly, mucus is part of the body’s defense system — but to keep your baby comfortable and able to breathe.

• Saline drops followed by a nasal aspirator (like a bulb syringe or the fancier suction tools).
  
• A humidifier in the baby’s room, especially at night, when dry air worsens congestion.
  
• Feeding with the baby more upright in sleep position, so milk or formula doesn’t add to nasal discomfort.
  
• Using a baby monitor to check nighttime hours without constantly entering the room, which sometimes unsettles them more.
  

What to Avoid?

Some products look promising but come with risks:

• Teething gels with benzocaine (like older versions of Orajel™ Baby Teething Gels) — the FDA warns against them due to risks like methemoglobinemia.
  
• Honey for babies under 1 year — risk of botulism.
  
• Overusing suction — too much nasal aspirator use can irritate nasal lining and increase vascular permeability, making congestion worse.
  
• Amber teething necklaces or homeopathic teething tablets — not backed by science and sometimes flagged for choking hazards or unsafe ingredients.
  

📦 Pro Tip Box
Start with comfort first — chilled teething rings, gum massage, or a wet washcloth. Only move toward remedies like saline drops if your baby still seems uncomfortable. Sometimes the simplest routine works better than layering on too many solutions.

5. What Experts Say About Teething and Runny Nose

Now, let’s zoom out. Parents swap stories on blogs like Orange County Moms Blog or Facebook groups, but pediatricians tend to sing the same tune: teething and runny noses are two separate issues that just love to overlap.

Pediatrician Opinions

• The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) emphasizes that while gum pain and fussiness are real, things like runny noses, teething coughs, or fevers point more toward viral infections or other childhood illnesses.
  
• The Cleveland Clinic reminds parents that the timing overlap — teething age coinciding with babies’ first big wave of exposure to colds and flu — is the main reason so many families confuse the two.
  
• Pediatricians like Rachel Dawkins at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital often explain it this way: Your baby is cutting central incisors at the exact same age they’re sticking toys in their mouth and catching every cold virus at daycare.
  

How to Approach Your Baby’s Symptoms?

So how do you, as a parent, balance between brushing it off and panicking? Here’s a practical way to think about it:

1. Acknowledge the overlap. Teething and viral infections can show up side by side.
   
2. Watch for red flags. High fever, green mucus, or labored breathing? Don’t assume it’s teething.
   
3. Don’t dismiss everything. Even if you suspect teething pain, call NHS 111 (UK) or your pediatrician’s office if you’re unsure.
   
4. Think prevention. Oral hygiene (like introducing a baby-safe fluoride toothpaste or even a Colgate Total Battery Powered Toothbrush later on) reduces oral health issues that can complicate things.
   
5. Stay reflective. Every baby is different — some breeze through lateral incisors with barely a whimper, while others seem miserable with every tooth.
   

Sometimes, honestly, it’s about your gut. If something feels “off,” you pick up the phone. Pediatricians like Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines LLC actually encourage parents to call rather than second-guess themselves endlessly.

Conclusion

So, after circling this whole question — does teething cause runny nose — the answer is… not really. At least not in the direct, scientific sense. Teething brings gum swelling, irritability, maybe even sleep disruption, but those drippy noses? They usually come from something else — viral infections, allergies, environmental irritants, sometimes even more specific nasal issues like adenoid infection or deviated nasal septum.

That said, it’s easy to see why the myth holds up. The teething phase (from central incisors through second molars) happens during the exact window when a baby’s immune system is still maturing. They’re exploring with their mouths, drooling constantly, and suddenly exposed to germs that cause colds and flu. The overlap is so strong that it feels like cause and effect — but in truth, it’s just a coincidence.

If you’re ever unsure, though, lean on your resources: call your pediatrician, NHS 111, or even read trusted voices like Chaunie Brusie or blogs from clinics like Hopkins Family Dentistry. And remember: teething doesn’t last forever. Before long, those baby teeth (milk teeth, if you prefer) will be in, your baby will sleep longer nighttime hours, and you’ll barely remember the season of drool-soaked bibs and nasal aspirators.

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