Raising a baby comes with many unique challenges, and their dental development is no exception. For instance, if your infant is a few months old, has been fussier than usual, and seems to want to put everything in their mouth, then they may already be teething. Then, typically around 1 year old, you can expect to see their first tooth erupt from their little gums.
Unfortunately, this process can cause aches and inflammation that your little one isn’t equipped to handle. Many parents and guardians eager for a reprieve from the screeching have turned to teething rings to assuage their little one’s throbbing gums. But it’s normal to wonder whether they’re truly safe for your child to chew on. Continue reading to learn 3 helpful hints to finding a teething ring that won’t put their health at risk.
Teething Tip #1: Avoid Small Pieces
Some teething toys have small pieces or tied-on accessories that can break off in your baby’s less-than-careful hands. This can pose a choking hazard because they’re prone to swallowing anything in their mouths. To prevent a potentially fatal disaster, opt for a teething toy that contains completely solid components that won’t fall apart. That way, you can have some much-needed peace of mind that they can put as much pressure on their gums as they like without doing any harm.
Teething Tip #2: Don’t Freeze Them
When you have a toothache, pressing a cold compress or ice pack to that side of your face can provide a well-earned temporary reprieve from the pain. You might think that freezing your baby’s teething toy will provide additional comfort, but that’s not always true. In fact, freezing the material makes it so hard that it could injure your infant’s tender gum tissues when they chew on it. Furthermore, exposing their little mouth to frigid temperatures can potentially induce frostbite.
Leaving it in the fridge can cool it off without leaving it so hard that it can hurt your child’s smile.
Teething Tip #3: Skip Liquids and Gels
Many teething toys contain fluids or gels intended to provide a soothing texture for your baby to bite into, which may contain chemicals like phthalates. These substances are often used to improve the flexibility, softness, and flexibility of plastics, or as solvents and stabilizers on personal care products. However, they’re not intended for oral ingestion but can seep through into your child’s mouth. Furthermore, one of their tiny teeth could prick a hole so they might ingest some of these ingredients, which can interfere with their usual development.
Thankfully, it’s relatively easy to find a safe teething toy at your local store that can help ease your infant’s aching gums without negatively impacting their health.
About the Practice
At Sprout Dentistry for Kids of Allen, patients from 0 to 18 years old benefit from two board-certified experts eager to guide still-developing smiles. Dr. Justin Chan and Dr. Sage Yoo are dedicated to providing a full array of services to meet your child’s dental care needs conveniently under one roof. Their family-friendly environment is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to help your kid feel comfortable while they deliver results intended to last. If your baby is teething or their first tooth has erupted, you can request an appointment on the website or call (469) 663-0098.