Teether

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Sophie the Giraffe, a popular teether Sophie the Giraffe with baby.jpg
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 Ring.jpg
Early twentieth century teething ring

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

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toothbrush</span> Oral hygiene tool

A toothbrush is an oral hygiene tool used to clean the teeth, gums, and tongue. It consists of a head of tightly clustered bristles, atop of which toothpaste can be applied, mounted on a handle which facilitates the cleaning of hard-to-reach areas of the mouth. They should be used in conjunction with something to clean between the teeth where the bristles of the toothbrush cannot reach - for example floss, tape or interdental brushes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Choking</span> Mechanical obstruction of the flow of air from the environment into the lungs

Choking, also known as foreign body airway obstruction (FBAO), is a phenomenon that occurs when breathing is impeded by a blockage inside of the respiratory tract. An obstruction that prevents oxygen from entering the lungs results in oxygen deprivation. Although oxygen stored in the blood and lungs can keep a person alive for several minutes after breathing stops, choking often leads to death.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chewing gum</span> Soft substance meant to be chewed without swallowing

Chewing gum is a soft, cohesive substance designed to be chewed without being swallowed. Modern chewing gum is composed of gum base, sweeteners, softeners/plasticizers, flavors, colors, and, typically, a hard or powdered polyol coating. Its texture is reminiscent of rubber because of the physical-chemical properties of its polymer, plasticizer, and resin components, which contribute to its elastic-plastic, sticky, chewy characteristics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wisdom tooth</span> Large tooth at the back of the human mouth

The third molar, commonly called wisdom tooth, is the most posterior of the three molars in each quadrant of the human dentition. The age at which wisdom teeth come through (erupt) is variable, but this generally occurs between late teens and early twenties. Most adults have four wisdom teeth, one in each of the four quadrants, but it is possible to have none, fewer, or more, in which case the extras are called supernumerary teeth. Wisdom teeth may become stuck (impacted) against other teeth if there is not enough space for them to come through normally. Impacted wisdom teeth are still sometimes removed for orthodontic treatment, believing that they move the other teeth and cause crowding, though this is not held anymore as true.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baby food</span> Food made especially for infants

Baby food is any soft, easily consumed food other than breastmilk or infant formula that is made specifically for human babies between six months and two years old. The food comes in many varieties and flavors that are purchased ready-made from producers, or it may be table food eaten by the family that has been mashed or otherwise broken down.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Product recall</span> Request to return a product after the discovery of safety issues or product defects

A product recall is a request from a manufacturer to return a product after the discovery of safety issues or product defects that might endanger the consumer or put the maker/seller at risk of legal action.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Teething</span> Infants gaining their first teeth

Teething is the process by which an infant's first teeth appear by emerging through the gums, typically arriving in pairs. The mandibular central incisors are the first primary teeth to erupt, usually between 6 and 10 months of age and usually causes discomfort and pain to the infant. It can take several years for all 20 teeth to complete the tooth eruption. Though the process of teething is sometimes referred to as "cutting teeth", when teeth emerge through the gums they do not cut through the flesh. Instead, hormones are released within the body that cause some cells in the gums to die and separate, allowing the teeth to come through.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pacifier</span> Rubber, plastic or silicone nipple for infants or toddlers to suck upon

A pacifier is a rubber, plastic, or silicone nipple substitute given to an infant or toddler to suckle upon between feedings to quiet its distress by satisfying the need to suck when it does not need to eat. Pacifiers normally have three parts: an elongated teat, a handle, and a mouth shield which prevents the child from swallowing or choking on it.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deciduous teeth</span> First set of teeth in diphyodonts

Deciduous teeth or primary teeth, also informally known as baby teeth, milk teeth, or temporary teeth, are the first set of teeth in the growth and development of humans and other diphyodonts, which include most mammals but not elephants, kangaroos, or manatees, which are polyphyodonts. Deciduous teeth develop during the embryonic stage of development and erupt during infancy. They are usually lost and replaced by permanent teeth, but in the absence of their permanent replacements, they can remain functional for many years into adulthood.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Infant bed</span> Small bed for infants and very young children

An infant bed is a small bed especially for infants and very young children. Infant beds are a historically recent development intended to contain a child capable of standing. The cage-like design of infant beds restricts the child to the bed. Between one and two years of age, children are able to climb out and are moved to a toddler bed to prevent an injurious fall while escaping the bed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chew toy</span> Type of toy designed for animals to chew

A chew toy is an object designed to be chewed on by animals for stimulation and relief from boredom or discomfort. Chew toys can help relieve pain associated with teething, which is especially true for younger animals, such as puppies. There are several types of chew toys made from different materials, including rawhide, wood, paper, and mineral. Chew toys are commonly associated with dogs, but have also been effective with birds, rodents, and rabbits. Some parents give human infants a similar toy called a teether to help soothe inflamed gums during teething.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tooth brushing</span> Act of scrubbing teeth with a toothbrush

Tooth brushing is the act of scrubbing teeth with a toothbrush equipped with toothpaste. Interdental cleaning can be useful with tooth brushing, and together these two activities are the primary means of cleaning teeth, one of the main aspects of oral hygiene. The recommended amount of time for tooth brushing is two minutes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dog toy</span> Toy that is specifically for dogs to play with

Toys specifically marketed for dogs to play with come in many varieties, including dog bones, puppy toys, balls, tug toys, training aids, squeaky toys, discs and frisbees, plush toys, and sticks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fisher-Price</span> American toy company

Fisher-Price, Inc. is an American company that produces educational toys for infants, toddlers and preschoolers, headquartered in East Aurora, New York. It was founded in 1930 during the Great Depression by Herman Fisher, Irving Price, Helen Schelle and Margaret Evans Price.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crying</span> Shedding tears due to emotion or pain

Crying is the dropping of tears in response to an emotional state or pain. Emotions that can lead to crying include sadness, anger, excitement, and even happiness. The act of crying has been defined as "a complex secretomotor phenomenon characterized by the shedding of tears from the lacrimal apparatus, without any irritation of the ocular structures", instead, giving a relief which protects from conjunctivitis. A related medical term is lacrimation, which also refers to non-emotional shedding of tears. Various forms of crying are known as sobbing, weeping, wailing, whimpering, bawling, and blubbering.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Expandable water toy</span> Type of toy made from superabsorbent polymers

Expandable water toys are novelty items made from a superabsorbent polymer. They are toys that expand after putting them into water for anything between a few hours up to several days, depending on size. They shrink in saltwater or when exposed to air. They are made from polymers that can absorb and retain extremely large amounts of a liquid relative to their own mass.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sophie the Giraffe</span> Rubber teething toy

Sophie the Giraffe is a teether – a toy for teething infants to chew on – in the form of a 7-inch-high (180 mm) hevea rubber giraffe.

Infant oral mutilation (IOM) is a dangerous and sometimes fatal traditional dental procedure performed in many areas of Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baby rattle</span>

A baby rattle is a rattle produced specifically for the amusement of an infant. Rattles have been used for this purpose since antiquity, and experts in child development believe they help the infant improve hand eye coordination by stimulating their senses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Puppy teething</span> Process where puppy teeth start errupting

Puppies first start with sucking from the time of being a newborn up to the time they start teething. Puppies around the age of two weeks old start to experience teething. Teething is the process by which a puppy's deciduous teeth come in and then fall out to make way for their permanent teeth. By 5–6 weeks of life, all of the deciduous teeth have come in, puppies will grow in a set of 28 deciduous teeth or needle teeth. Permanent teeth will start coming in around 12–16 weeks, and puppies will eventually end up with 42 permanent teeth. The process of teething is painful to puppies much like babies. During this process puppies will experience increased salivation, loss of appetite, and extreme irritability when the teeth do erupt from the gums. The gums will swell and become tender to palpation just prior to the tooth coming in. Puppies may exhibit excessive chewing, nipping, and drooling. If there is an extreme change in behavior, it is recommended to visit the veterinarian as soon as possible for an exam. Owners that would like to do an oral exam on their own must be prepared for potential aggressive behavior.

References

  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. 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.