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How to Take an Oral Temperature

An accurate and convenient method for older children who can cooperate

📋When to Use Oral Temperature

Oral temperature is a good method for children age 4-5 years and older who can understand how to hold the thermometer under their tongue and breathe through their nose.

✓Good For:

• Children 4-5+ years old
• Kids who can follow instructions
• Routine temperature checks
• Cooperative children
• Home monitoring

✗Not For:

• Infants and toddlers
• Children under 4 years
• Kids who can't keep mouth closed
• After eating or drinking hot/cold items
• Mouth breathers or stuffy nose

Accuracy Note:

Oral temperature is more accurate than axillary (armpit) but slightly less accurate than rectal. It's a good balance of accuracy and convenience for older children.

🛠️What You'll Need

Required Items:

🌡️
Digital oral thermometer
Never use glass mercury thermometers
🧼
Soap and water
For cleaning before and after use
📝
Paper and pen
To record the reading

Important:

Keep oral thermometers separate from rectal thermometers. Label them clearly to avoid cross-contamination.

⏰Before You Begin - Important Timing

⏱️Wait 20-30 Minutes After:

•Eating or drinking anything hot or cold
•Chewing gum
•Smoking (for teens - though they shouldn't smoke!)
•Exercise or physical activity
•Taking a hot bath or shower

These activities can temporarily change mouth temperature and give inaccurate readings.

Preparation:

1.Wash thermometer with soap and cool water, rinse, and dry
2.Explain to your child what you're doing and why
3.Make sure child hasn't had hot/cold food or drinks recently
4.Have child sit or lie down comfortably

👣Step-by-Step Instructions

Turn On and Position

•Turn on the digital thermometer
•Place the tip under the tongue, toward the back
•Position it in one of the "pockets" on either side of the tongue
•Not in front of tongue or on top - must be underneath!

Why Under the Tongue?

The blood vessels under the tongue give the most accurate oral reading because they're close to the body's core temperature.

Close Lips and Breathe Through Nose

•Have your child close their lips around the thermometer
•Tell them NOT to bite down - just hold gently with lips
•Breathe through the nose, not the mouth
•Stay quiet - no talking!

Teaching Tip:

Practice with your child when they're not sick. Make it a game - "Can you hold this under your tongue and breathe through your nose like a dragon?" This makes it easier when they actually need it.

Wait for the Beep

•Keep thermometer in place until it beeps
•Usually takes 30-60 seconds with digital thermometers
•Child should stay still and quiet
•Don't remove until you hear the signal

Distraction Ideas:

• Count to 60 together (silently or with fingers)
• Watch the clock's second hand
• Think of favorite things
• Make it a challenge: "Can you stay super still?"

Read and Record

•Remove thermometer when it beeps
•Read the temperature on the screen
•Write down the number and time
•Note that it was an oral reading
•Wash thermometer with soap and cool water

📊Understanding the Reading

An oral temperature of 100°F (37.8°C) or higher is generally considered a fever.

Normal

97-99°F

(36.1-37.2°C)

Low Fever

100-102°F

(37.8-38.9°C)

High Fever

Above 102°F

(38.9°C)

Temperature Variations:

Normal body temperature can vary slightly throughout the day. It's typically lowest in early morning and highest in late afternoon/early evening.

💡Tips for Success

✓Do:

• Explain the process to your child
• Wait appropriate time after eating/drinking
• Position thermometer under tongue
• Have child breathe through nose
• Wait for full reading (until beep)
• Record method used when reporting to doctor

✗Don't:

• Use if child can't cooperate
• Let child bite down on thermometer
• Take reading right after eating/drinking
• Allow talking while measuring
• Rush the measurement
• Use same thermometer for rectal readings

For First-Time Users:

If this is your child's first time having oral temperature taken, practice when they're healthy. This way they'll know what to expect and be more cooperative when they're not feeling well.

🔧Troubleshooting Common Issues

Problem: Child won't keep mouth closed

Solution: Try the armpit method instead, or wait until child is older and can better cooperate.

Problem: Child has stuffy nose and must breathe through mouth

Solution: Use axillary (armpit) method instead. Mouth breathing affects oral temperature accuracy.

Problem: Reading seems unusually high or low

Solution: Wait 30 minutes and try again. Make sure no hot/cold foods were consumed recently. If still unusual, try a different method or call your doctor.

Problem: Child bites the thermometer

Solution: Remind them to hold gently with lips only. If they can't resist biting, use armpit method until they're older.

🔄Other Temperature Methods

🌡️Rectal Temperature

Most accurate method, especially important for infants under 3 months and when accuracy is critical.

Learn how →

🤲Axillary (Armpit) Temperature

Easy, non-invasive option for children of all ages. Less accurate but very convenient.