Teether

Not to be confused with Tether.
Sophie the Giraffe, a popular teether

A teether, teething toy, or chew toy is a device given to teething infants. It has the effect of reducing the pain of irritable wisdom teeth. [1] Most modern teethers are silicone, but can also be made of wood or rubber. Some teethers are filled with a fluid or gel that can be frozen or refrigerated. They differ from pacifiers in that they are intended to be chewed, rather than sucked on.[2] They come in a variety of different shapes. Teethers may help relieve teething pain and help new teeth penetrate the gum, as well as provide a form of entertainment.[3] Studies found that chewing a teether may make teething children calmer and happier, less stressed, and less cranky.[4] Teething necklaces and teething bracelets may pose a choking hazard to infants and toddlers depending on the teething parts, and have prompted recalls.[5][6][7][8] Teethers filled with liquid have also been recalled because of bacterial contamination.[9][10] Early teethers were often teething rings.

Early twentieth century teething ring

Teething biscuits, like rusks and ladyfingers, can also be given for teething.

  1. ^ "The world's first adult teether". British Dental Journal. 223 (7): 545. 2017-10-01. doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.2017.870. ISSN 1476-5373. S2CID 3221641.
  2. ^ "15 best teething toys". The Independent. 2018-07-18. Archived from the original on 2022-05-26. Retrieved 2020-06-15.
  3. ^ "Why Do Babies Like Teethers?". The Spruce. Retrieved 2018-03-30.
  4. ^ Lerond, Clara; Hudry, Julie; Zahar, Sélima; Makwana, Aidan; Schneider, Nora (2021-10-29). "Soothing Effect of an Edible Teether: A Pilot Study in Children during Primary Dentition Age". International Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry. 14 (4): 525–530. doi:10.5005/jp-journals-10005-2002. ISSN 0974-7052. PMC 8585899. PMID 34824508.
  5. ^ "Teething Necklaces and Beads: A Caution for Parents". HealthyChildren.org. 20 December 2018. Retrieved 2020-06-15.
  6. ^ "Teething: Tips for soothing sore gums". Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 2020-06-15.
  7. ^ "Product Recall: Mushroom Teether sold via Amazon (2205-0217)". Archived from the original on 2022-05-19.
  8. ^ "Infantino Recalls Teething Toys". Archived from the original on 2017-02-08.
  9. ^ "Baby teethers recalled due to contamination hazard: Health Canada". 22 August 2022. Archived from the original on 2022-08-22.
  10. ^ "Contamination fear spurs teether recall". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 1 October 2022.