Can Teething Cause a Baby to Have a Sore Throat?

When I first started working at Teething Soothing Baby – that’s our brand, right? – I thought teething was just about sore gums and fussy babies. Then one of our first customers reached out in a panic, saying her 7-month-old had a sore throat on top of all the usual teething symptoms. She’d been giving us our natural teething gel, but now her little one was struggling to swallow and wouldn’t eat. “Is teething causing this?” she asked, and that question stuck with me. I started digging into the science, talking to pediatricians, and listening to more parents share their similar experiences. What I found might surprise you – it’s not a straight answer, but it’s one we can unpack together, especially since my team and I spend every day helping parents navigate this messy, wonderful stage of babyhood. Teething Soothing Baby

First, let’s get the basics straight: teething happens when a baby’s teeth push through the gum line. For most babies, this starts around 6 months old, though some get their first tooth as early as 3 months or as late as 12 months – and that range is totally normal. The pressure of the tooth breaking through irritates the gum tissue, leading to the classic signs: drooling, red and swollen gums, crankiness, trouble sleeping, and pulling at the ears. But here’s the part that confused our first customer: a sore throat. How does a tooth coming through the gum affect the throat? Well, it all ties back to that massive amount of drool that comes with teething. I don’t think I realized how much a baby drools when teething until I changed so many soaked bibs for our niece and heard other parents talk about going through 10 a day. All that extra saliva can spill down the back of their throat, right? That constant dribbling and pooling might irritate the delicate lining of the throat, making it feel sore. It’s not the tooth itself causing the sore throat, but the side effect of all that drool.

I checked in with a pediatrician friend, Dr. Lisa, who’s been working with babies for 15 years, and she confirmed that’s a common link. “Babies don’t have the swallowing coordination to keep up with the extra saliva when teething,” she explained. “So it runs down their throat, and that prolonged moisture can cause mild inflammation. It’s not a bacterial infection – it’s just irritation.” That makes sense, but it’s important to note that this is a secondary effect, not a direct cause of a sore throat. So how do you tell the difference between a teething-related sore throat and a real infection? Our team at Teething Soothing Baby always emphasizes that parents know their baby best, but there are key signs. A teething-related sore throat usually comes with other clear teething symptoms: swollen gums, lots of drool, maybe a mild fever (under 101 degrees Fahrenheit, which is standard for teething). An infection, on the other hand, might come with a higher fever, refusal to drink anything, white spots on the tonsils, or trouble breathing. If any of those happen, Dr. Lisa says it’s time to call the pediatrician – you don’t want to mistake something serious for teething discomfort.

Another thing we’ve noticed with our customers is that when babies are teething, they often put their hands, toys, or anything else they can reach into their mouth to soothe their gums. That’s a natural instinct, but it can introduce bacteria into the throat. If a baby is constantly shoving dirty hands or contaminated toys into their mouth, that could lead to a mild throat irritation or even a slight infection. It’s not the teething itself, but the behavior that comes with it. Our teething toys are designed to be easy to clean, because we know how important it is to keep those little hands and mouth as safe as possible during this stage. We’ve had so many parents tell us our silicone teething rings are a lifesaver – they’re soft on gums, easy for little hands to hold, and we recommend boiling them regularly to keep germs away. That’s why I started getting involved in this work, because it’s not just about making products – it’s about solving real problems parents face.

I also talked to a fellow mom at a playgroup last month, and she shared that her 8-month-old had a sore throat along with teething, and the pediatrician said it was from all the drool. “I was so worried I was doing something wrong,” she said. “I thought I was drying his mouth too much, or not enough.” It turns out, there’s no exact way to prevent the drool-related throat irritation, but there are ways to ease it. Keeping a soft, clean bib on your baby to catch excess drool can help, so it’s not constantly running down their chest and throat. Offering them something to suck on – like our natural teething pacifiers, which are made without any harsh chemicals – can help them swallow the extra saliva more easily, which reduces the pooling in the throat. I always recommend steering clear of teething remedies that have chemicals or numbing agents for the throat, because you don’t want to mask discomfort that could be a sign of something more serious. Our team only uses safe, natural ingredients in our products, because we know how sensitive a baby’s mouth and throat are.

Wait, but let’s be clear: some cases where parents think a sore throat is from teething might actually be a coincidence. Teething usually starts around the same time babies are starting to pick up other illnesses, like colds or ear infections. Those can definitely cause sore throats, and since they happen during teething months, it’s easy to mix up the symptoms. That’s why it’s so important to pay attention to the full picture. If your baby has a runny nose, cough, or is pulling at their ears on top of teething and a sore throat, that’s more likely an infection than just drool irritation. Dr. Lisa says this is one of the most common mistakes parents make – attributing every new symptom to teething, when actually babies are prone to getting sick as their immune systems develop, right around the time they start teething.

I remember when our own little one was teething – it was around the 6-month mark, and he had a runny nose. We thought it was just teething, but then he developed a fever that was higher than usual, and the pediatrician said it was a viral cold that caused a sore throat. That experience made me even more passionate about helping parents understand the difference. At Teething Soothing Baby, we put out blog posts and guides specifically to help parents navigate teething vs. illness symptoms, because we know how stressful it is when your baby is upset. Our goal isn’t just to sell teething products – it’s to be a resource for parents, someone they can trust to give them honest, science-backed advice.

So going back to the original question: can teething cause a baby to have a sore throat? The short answer is, not directly, but it can lead to it in a few different ways. The excess drool that comes with teething can irritate the throat lining, and the behaviors that come with teething (putting everything in the mouth) can introduce bacteria that cause throat irritation. But it’s crucial to rule out other, more serious causes. As someone who works in this space every day, I’ve seen firsthand how confusing these symptoms can be for parents, which is why we make our products to help with the teething discomfort while also providing clear guidance on what to watch for.

What can you do if your teething baby has a sore throat? First, check the other symptoms. If it seems like just drool-related irritation, keep their mouth area clean with soft wipes, offer them something to suck on to encourage swallowing, and use gentle teething remedies – like our natural teething oil, which is made with chamomile and clove (in safe, small amounts) to soothe gums without harming the throat. We always advise against giving babies over-the-counter pain relievers without checking with a pediatrician, and especially to avoid numbing sprays for the throat, which can be dangerous for little ones. If you suspect an infection, reach out to your pediatrician right away – it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Over the years, I’ve talked to hundreds of parents about teething and sore throats, and one thing keeps coming up: how overwhelming this stage can feel. Every baby is different, so what works for one might not work for another. That’s why at Teething Soothing Baby, we create a range of products – from teething toys to gum gels to pacifiers – so parents can find what works best for their little one. We also offer personalized advice to anyone who reaches out, because we’re not just a supplier; we’re parents and caregivers who understand the ups and downs of teething.

I’ve seen parents worry about every little symptom during teething – from a runny nose to a sore throat to a slight fever – and I get it. When your baby is crying, can’t sleep, and is fussy all day, it’s hard not to panic. But the key is to take a deep breath, look at the big picture, and trust your instincts. If something feels off, don’t hesitate to call your pediatrician. And if it is just teething-related discomfort, remember that this stage is temporary – those little teeth will break through, and you’ll have another milestone to celebrate.

At the end of the day, the link between teething and a sore throat is all about understanding the secondary effects, not a direct cause. Drool, mouth-based bacteria, and the overlap with other common baby illnesses are the main factors. As someone who’s built a business around helping parents through this, I’m committed to sharing clear, honest information so no parent feels in the dark. If you have more questions about teething symptoms, or you’re looking for safe, natural products to soothe your baby, don’t hesitate to reach out for a purchasing discussion. We’re here to help, because that’s what being a part of the parenting community is all about.

References

Baby Bottles American Academy of Pediatrics. (2021). Teething: What Parents Should Know. AAP.
Goldman, A. S. (2019). Oral and Throat Irritation During Teething. Journal of Pediatric Healthcare.
Pediatric Dental Association. (2020). Teething-Related Symptoms and Care. PDA.

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