If the baby's fever remains below 100.4 and he or she also exhibits other traditional teething symptoms (drooling, irritability, gum irritation), it is reasonable to believe that the symptoms are teething-related. If the temperature rises beyond 100.4, it is deemed a fever and should not be ascribed to teething alone. Always contact your doctor if you suspect that your child may have a fever. Traditional signs of teething include changes in the gums that occur when teeth begin to erupt from the gums. These changes can be seen as white spots on the gum tissue. The appearance of these spots usually indicates that the baby is experiencing tooth pain from teething. As the teeth emerge, they will break down any remaining soft tissue of the gums leaving only bone behind. This process will happen again as more teeth emerge creating a continual reminder to parents that their babies are going through this painful stage of development. Parents often wonder what causes fevers in infants. A fever is simply a sign that the body's immune system is fighting off an infection. Infants' bodies are less able to fight off infections so they tend to recover more quickly if they do come down with a fever. However, if the fever lasts for several days or the infant does not respond to treatment, consult with your health care provider immediately.