Teething can be uncomfortable for babies, but teethers can provide temporary relief. They come in various materials and shapes, and should be changed as the baby’s teething progresses. It’s important to choose safe teethers and regularly clean them to prevent the spread of bacteria.
Caregivers of newborns know that teething, the period of time when a baby’s primary dentition protrudes through the gums, can be uncomfortable for babies. There are several methods to soothe the pain of teething and one of the simplest and most common is to give the baby a teether to chew on. A teether is any safe object used by the baby to chew on, providing temporary relief from the pain of teething. Toothpastes come in a variety of materials, shapes, colors, levels of efficacy, and safety.
Babies typically begin the teething process between three and 12 months of age, and for most babies, the first tooth emerges around six months. Primary teeth slowly break through the skin on the gums, which can cause uncomfortable pressure and pain for the baby. While some babies appear unaffected, common symptoms of teething pain include excess saliva or drooling, fussiness, refusal to eat or drink because of mouth pain, low-grade fever, and an increased tendency to chew on fingers and any objects that the baby can put it in the mouth. This is why dedicated teethers are very helpful in soothing a teething baby.
While teethers can be a simple household item, such as a cold wet washcloth, a large wooden spoon, or some frozen fruit in a mesh bag, there are a huge variety of commercially sold teething toys. Some teethers come in brightly colored plastic and rubber to motivate baby to reach for them while also allowing for hand-eye coordination. Other teethers are made from natural materials, such as wood and organic cotton, to reduce baby’s exposure to chemicals. Many baby products, including teethers, are sold and marketed as being free of bisphenol-A or BPA, a chemical often found in plastics that can be toxic. Some find toothpastes filled with gel or liquids other than water to be dangerous, as many of these substances have been found to be toxic and can carry dangerous bacteria.
As babies go through the different stages of teething, their teether needs to change. As babies start teething, they need softer teethers to protect their tender gums from bruising. Toothpastes filled with distilled water that have been refrigerated or cloth teethers can work well for this stage. To avoid injuring developing gums, it is recommended that you never put teethers in the freezer. A teether should never be small enough to accidentally swallow or choke a baby.
Once the teeth emerge, a rubber or textured teether can work well to massage the gums around these new teeth. These teethers tend to be flatter and have uneven surfaces for babies to bite into. It’s very important to always check a teether for damage, to prevent your baby from choking on chewed bits, and frequent cleaning and sanitizing of teethers is key to preventing the spread of bacteria.
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