Can Teething Cause Diarrhea?

Can Teething Cause Diarrhea?

3 min readUpdated February 18, 2025
Christopher B. Peltier
Medically reviewed by
Christopher B. Peltier
MD, FAAP
When your baby starts teething, it's natural to notice some changes in their behavior and physical symptoms. As a parent, you might wonder if there’s a connection between teething and diarrhea or if these two things often occur together by coincidence. While teething and diarrhea are common concerns, it’s important to understand what teething causes and what might be related to other factors.

Symptoms of Teething

You might notice a few common symptoms as your baby's teeth emerge. These may vary from one baby to another, but typically, teething symptoms include:
  • Increased drooling
  • Swollen, tender gums
  • Fussiness or irritability
  • Chewing on objects
  • Slightly raised temperature (but not fever).

Does Teething Cause Diarrhea?

Despite common misconceptions, research indicates that teething does not directly cause diarrhea. However, some healthcare providers perceive that babies may experience changes in their bowel movements during this time, often due to increased saliva production, which may sometimes lead to looser stools. Diarrhea is commonly diagnosed as a sudden increase in the number (3 or more) and looseness of stools. Keep in mind that, diarrhea is usually not associated with teething. Causes of Diarrhea
  • Antibiotics. Some antibiotics may cause mild diarrhea.
  • Allergies. Perhaps your baby has an intolerance to lactose or other allergies.
  • Drinking a lot of juice. If your child drinks too much fruit juice or other sweetened drinks.
  • Other serious causes. Such as viruses, bacteria, or parasites.
If your baby has diarrhea, it’s always a good idea to monitor them and consult your baby’s healthcare provider to rule out the causes. Call your healthcare provider immediately if you see any blood in the diarrhea.

Can Teething Cause Dehydration or Vomiting?

Teething doesn’t cause vomiting or dehydration. If your baby is experiencing these symptoms, it could be due to an unrelated illness. Dehydration is a serious concern and might occur if your baby is losing fluids due to diarrhea or vomiting. It’s important to keep your baby hydrated and contact their healthcare provider if you notice any signs of dehydration, such as dry mouth, loose stools, fewer tears when crying, or urinating less frequently.

Does Teething Cause Fever?

There is a common belief that teething may cause a fever, but research indicates this is not usually the case. According to experts, any mild increase in temperature associated with teething usually stays below 100.4°F (38°C). If your baby is experiencing a higher fever, it is more likely due to an unrelated illness rather than teething. It's important to consult your baby’s healthcare provider to determine the cause of the fever, especially if it is accompanied by other symptoms such as diarrhea or vomiting. While teething may lead to discomfort and fussiness, a significant fever should always be taken seriously. For more information related to teething and fever check out our article.


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What Does Teething Poop Look Like?

When babies are teething, some parents report noticing changes in their baby’s stool. If any teething poop occurs it might be slightly looser than usual, but it shouldn’t be watery or overly runny, which would indicate diarrhea. The color may vary, but it typically stays within the normal range of yellow, green, or brown. However, a significant change in the color, consistency, or smell of your baby's poop—such as sour-smelling poop—could be a sign of an underlying issue and not directly related to teething. If you notice any of these changes, it's best to consult your baby’s healthcare provider.

How Long Do Loose Stools Last When Teething?

If your baby experiences loose stools while teething, it's important to remember that teething itself is not usually the cause. If diarrhea does occur, it's essential to monitor the duration. Persistent diarrhea lasting more than a couple of days, or diarrhea accompanied by other symptoms like fever or vomiting, should prompt you to contact your baby’s healthcare provider to rule out other potential causes and ensure your baby stays hydrated. Call your healthcare provider immediately if you see any blood in the diarrhea.

How to Treat Diarrhea if it Happens While Teething

Although teething itself is not the cause of the diarrhea, it's important to manage the symptoms carefully.  Here are some steps you can take:
  1. Keep your baby hydrated. Diarrhea may lead to dehydration, so it's crucial to ensure your baby is getting enough fluids. Offer breast milk or formula more frequently, and if your baby is older, you can also offer small sips of water or an electrolyte solution as recommended by your healthcare provider.
  2. Monitor your baby's diet. If your baby has started eating solid foods, try to offer bland, easy-to-digest foods like bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast (often referred to as the BRAT diet). Avoid foods that might irritate the stomach, such as dairy products, sugary foods, and juices.
  3. Maintain proper diaper hygiene. Frequent diaper changes are important to prevent diaper rash, which might be aggravated by diarrhea. Use a gentle diaper cream to protect your baby's skin.

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When to Contact Your Healthcare Provider

Teething is usually associated with mild symptoms like drooling and fussiness, but more serious issues can indicate something other than teething. Contact your baby’s healthcare provider if you notice:
  • High fever: A slight temperature increase is common, but a high or persistent fever (above 101°F) usually isn’t related to teething.
  • Severe diarrhea: Teething may cause looser stools due to increased saliva, but frequent, watery diarrhea may signal a more serious issue.
  • Vomiting or lethargy: Teething alone doesn’t cause vomiting or extreme illness. These symptoms should be evaluated promptly.
  • Blood in the diarrhea: call your healthcare provider immediately.
When in doubt, trust your instincts and consult your baby’s healthcare provider.

FAQS AT A GLANCE

Teething may lead to slightly looser stools due to increased saliva, but severe diarrhea is unlikely to be related to teething.

The Bottom Line

While teething may be challenging, understanding what’s normal and when to seek advice can help ease your concerns. If you’re looking for more ways to soothe your baby during teething, check out our guide for tips and explore the best teething toys that can make this phase more comfortable for your little one. Don’t forget to download the Pampers Rewards app to earn rewards on all your diaper and wipe purchases. Every step of your parenting journey can be rewarding!

The information in this article is based on the expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.

About Christopher B. Peltier

Pediatrician at Pediatric Associates of Mount Carmel, Inc.; Cincinnati, OH

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