{"id":302,"date":"2025-02-03T15:09:08","date_gmt":"2025-02-03T15:09:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.healthykidsdentistry.com\/blog\/?p=302"},"modified":"2025-04-25T15:09:35","modified_gmt":"2025-04-25T15:09:35","slug":"are-teething-rings-safe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.healthykidsdentistry.com\/blog\/are-teething-rings-safe\/","title":{"rendered":"Teething Rings: Are They Safe for Your Baby?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Baby<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Having a baby is a joyous time in people\u2019s lives. There are so many firsts to look forward to and celebrate, like when their teeth start to come in. Unfortunately, while this should be an exciting time for parents, your baby will not enjoy it as much. You may turn to remedies like teething rings to alleviate their pain and discomfort. But are these devices safe to use? Will they lead to the need for tooth repair<\/a> in the future? Read on to learn more about the purpose of teething rings and how to properly use them for your baby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What Do Teething Rings Do?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At around 6 to 10 months when your baby\u2019s teeth first erupt, or emerge from the gums, it\u2019s a painful process for them. You\u2019ll probably notice that they cry more and are fussier during this period. Their gums may be tender or swollen, they drool a lot, or they may refuse food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chewing on a cool teething ring puts pressure on the gums, easing the pain and discomfort of your baby\u2019s teeth coming in. It\u2019s the same reason an adult will press down on their jaw when they have a toothache. Fortunately, there is no evidence that teething rings are damaging to your baby\u2019s teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip #1: Refrigerate, Don\u2019t Freeze<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your baby\u2019s gums are delicate, which is why it\u2019s not recommended to let them chew on a frozen teething ring \u2013 they\u2019re too hard on the baby\u2019s gums. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, frozen teething rings can cause more harm than good, leading to possible bruising of the gums.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A cool, flexible teething ring stored in the refrigerator is the safest bet to offer your baby a little extra comfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip #2: Be Cautious<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Keep an eye on your baby while they chew on their teething ring. You may find it beneficial to keep the ring on a loop around their neck, but this creates a risk of choking or strangulation. Let them hold it in their hand; one of the benefits of teething rings is they\u2019re the perfect fit for those cute little fists!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip #3: Choosing the Right Material<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Liquid teething rings contain things like water, salt, flavoring, or chemicals. Avoid buying these types of rings; your baby\u2019s chewing can break them and allow them to swallow the ingredients or spill them onto them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, some rings come with small objects attached to stimulate or distract babies. The problem is that these can become choking hazards. Opt instead for a one-part teething ring made from solid or empty rubber with no small parts that pose a risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip #4: Clean Them Often<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Teething rings that are not properly cleaned often enough can harbor harmful bacteria from the floor and other surfaces and form a risk of infection. Throw in the drooling factor and you\u2019ve practically got a breeding ground for germs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clean your teething ring regularly with hot water and a mild dish detergent. It may also be helpful to soak them in a mixture of warm water and white vinegar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alternatives to Teething Rings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re worried about using a teething ring or haven\u2019t had the chance to go out and get one yet, there are some methods you can use to soothe your baby\u2019s sore gums:<\/p>\n\n\n\n