---
title: "Teething symptoms: When to See a GP | HealthAnswers"
description: "When babies start teething, symptoms that fit teething, safe soothing measures, and why high fever or diarrhoea needs another explanation."
url: https://healthanswers.co.uk/symptoms/teething-symptoms/
robots: noindex
---

# Teething symptoms: When to See a GP | HealthAnswers

Symptoms

When babies start teething, symptoms that fit teething, safe soothing measures, and why high fever or diarrhoea needs another explanation.

Written by HealthAnswers editorial team Medically reviewed by [HealthAnswers UK doctor review panel](https://healthanswers.co.uk/our-doctors/) Reviewed 1 August 2026

## Quick answer

What could teething symptoms mean? Teething often starts around 6 months and may cause a sore red gum, dribbling, chewing, irritability and disturbed sleep. It may cause a slight temperature below 38C, but high fever, diarrhoea or a very unwell baby should not be assumed to be teething.

General UK health information, not a diagnosis. In an emergency call 999 ; for urgent advice use [NHS 111](https://111.nhs.uk/) (GP out-of-hours in Northern Ireland).

On this page 3 sections

## Common causes of teething symptoms

- First teeth can appear before 4 months or after 12 months.
- A cooled teething ring and gentle gum massage may help.
- Avoid amber necklaces because of choking and strangulation risk.

## Typical symptoms

Look for one sore or red gum, increased dribbling, chewing, one flushed cheek, irritability and unsettled sleep around the time a tooth appears.

## Safe soothing

Offer a teething ring cooled in the fridge, not freezer, or gently rub the gum with a clean finger. A pharmacist can advise on age-appropriate pain relief.

## Illness is not teething

Babies commonly encounter infections at the same age teeth emerge. Assess [fever](https://healthanswers.co.uk/symptoms/high-temperature/), vomiting, diarrhoea, breathing and responsiveness on their own merits.

## ! When to get medical help for teething symptoms

Seek medical advice if a baby has a temperature of 38C or more, persistent diarrhoea or vomiting, poor feeding, fewer wet nappies, unusual drowsiness, breathing difficulty or a rash that does not fade under pressure. Babies under 3 months with 38C or more need urgent assessment.

## Common questions about teething symptoms

Does teething cause a high temperature? It may cause a slight rise below 38C. A temperature of 38C or more should not be dismissed as teething. Are teething gels safe? Ask a pharmacist and use only products specifically licensed for young children. General oral pain gels are not suitable. Do amber teething necklaces work? There is no good evidence they help, and necklaces can cause choking or strangulation.

## Sources

- [NHS — Baby teething symptoms](https://www.nhs.uk/baby/babys-development/teething/baby-teething-symptoms/)

## How we reviewed this page

Medically reviewed by the [HealthAnswers UK doctor review panel](https://healthanswers.co.uk/our-doctors/)

First published 1 August 2026 Medically reviewed 1 August 2026 Next review due 1 August 2029 or sooner if NHS or NICE guidance changes

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