Best Teething Toys for Babies: A Pediatric Dentist’s Guide
The teething stage is one of the most challenging chapters of early parenthood. One day your baby is all gummy smiles; the next, they are drooling through their shirts, waking at odd hours, and chewing on anything within reach.
The good news is that teething toys, when chosen thoughtfully and used correctly, genuinely help. The important caveat is that not all products marketed for teething are safe. This guide covers what the science says about teething, which toys we recommend, what to avoid, and the at-home care that sets your baby up for a lifetime of healthy smiles.
What Is Teething and When Does It Happen?
Teething is the process by which a baby’s primary teeth push through the gum tissue for the first time. Most babies begin teething between 4 and 7 months of age, though the range is wide. Some babies show their first tooth as early as 3 months; others may not until closer to their first birthday, which is perfectly normal according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD).
By the time teething is complete, a child will have a full set of 20 primary teeth. The lower central incisors almost always arrive first, followed by the upper front teeth, the first molars, the canines, and then the second molars. The full set is usually in place by age 3.
Common teething symptoms include:
- Excessive drooling and wet clothing around the chin and neck
- Swollen, red, or tender gum tissue at the site of the erupting tooth
- Increased fussiness and difficulty sleeping
- A strong urge to chew on objects
- Temporary mild loss of appetite
- A slight increase in temperature (below 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit)
| When it is not teething: A fever above 100.4°F (38°C) is not caused by teething. If your baby has a high fever, diarrhea, or seems truly unwell, contact your pediatrician. These symptoms have a separate cause that should be evaluated. |
As each tooth pushes upward through the bone and gum tissue, pressure and mild inflammation build in the surrounding area. The instinct to bite and chew applies counter-pressure that can temporarily relieve that discomfort, which is precisely why teething toys work.
How to Choose a Safe Teething Toy
Material matters most. Look for food-grade or medical-grade silicone, natural rubber, or BPA-free hard rubber. Avoid teethers with liquid-filled centers; if the outer shell is punctured, the liquid inside may be harmful.
One-piece construction is safer. Teethers made from a single solid piece have no small parts that can detach and become a choking hazard.
Check for certification labels. Any teether given to a baby should be clearly labeled as BPA-free. Products should also carry a clear age recommendation.
Size is a safety factor. The toy needs to be large enough that it cannot be fully inserted into the mouth or become a choking hazard.
Hygiene should be built in. Choose toys without deep crevices, hollow centers, or openings where residue can trap and grow mold. The best options are dishwasher-safe or can be fully sanitized.
Supervise always. The AAP recommends that infants never be left unsupervised with a teething toy. Supervision is the most reliable safety measure of all.
Our Top Teething Toy Recommendations
| Baby Banana Infant Toothbrush and Teether Recommended age: 3 to 12 months Made from soft medical-grade silicone, the banana shape is easy for small hands to grasp from multiple angles. It doubles as a training toothbrush: the soft bristles gently massage the gums and introduce the sensation of brushing before any teeth arrive. It is BPA-free, latex-free, and phthalate-free. The entire toy can go in the dishwasher for easy cleaning. |
| Comotomo Silicone Baby Teether Recommended age: 3 to 6 months and beyond Designed to mimic the shape and softness of human fingers, this teether channels the baby’s instinct to chew fingers toward something clean and safe. Made from food-grade silicone and free of BPA, phthalates, nitrosamines, and lead. One-piece design means nothing can come apart. Heat-resistant and dishwasher-safe. |
| Teetherpop Fillable Freezable Teether Recommended age: 6 months and up Fill the soft silicone teether with water, breast milk, formula, or a simple fruit puree, then refrigerate it. As your baby chews and sucks, the chilled liquid slowly releases through small slits. Mess-free, easy to clean, and made from food-safe silicone. Use chilled liquids, not frozen solid, as the AAP advises against freezing teethers rock-hard. |
| Itzy Ritzy Teething Mitt Recommended age: 3 to 6 months Designed for young babies who have not yet developed the coordination to hold a teether. The mitt slips over the hand and secures with an adjustable strap, putting the textured silicone surface exactly where babies instinctively reach. Made from food-grade silicone and BPA-free fabric, and is machine washable. |
| Sophie la Girafe (Sophie the Giraffe) Recommended age: 3 months and up Made entirely from natural rubber and colored with food-grade paint, free of synthetic chemicals. Slim, easy-to-grasp legs and neck put multiple surfaces within reach. The gentle squeak adds engaging sensory stimulation. Cleaning note: wipe with a damp cloth only. Do not submerge or put in the dishwasher. Inspect the squeaker hole periodically to confirm it remains mold-free. |
What to Avoid: FDA Warnings Every Parent Should Know
Not everything marketed for teething is safe. Both the FDA and the AAP have issued formal warnings about products that pose real risks to infants.
| DANGER: Teething Necklaces and Bracelets are Not Safe |
| The FDA issued an official safety communication after receiving reports including one death. An 18-month-old was strangled by his amber teething necklace while sleeping. A 7-month-old choked on wooden teething bracelet beads while under parental supervision. The AAP states that suffocation is the leading cause of death for children under one year old and advises that no infant should wear any jewelry. Claims about amber releasing anti-inflammatory succinic acid are not supported by the FDA or scientific evidence. These products should not be purchased or used. |
| DANGER: Benzocaine and Lidocaine Teething Gels, Sprays, and Tablets are Not Safe |
| The FDA warns that topical products containing benzocaine, including Orajel Baby and similar brands, can cause methemoglobinemia, a serious and potentially fatal condition that reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen. Lidocaine-containing products carry risks of seizures, severe brain injury, heart problems, and death in young children. The FDA states these products offer little to no benefit for teething pain and carry unacceptable risks. They should not be used on infants or young children. |
| Also avoid: Liquid-filled teethers that can leak if punctured, and teethers frozen rock-solid (refrigerating to a cool temperature is safe; freezing solid is not). |
Complementary Ways to Soothe a Teething Baby
Gum massage with a clean finger. Gently rubbing the swollen gum with a clean adult fingertip applies counter-pressure that helps relieve discomfort. A clinical trial comparing five non-pharmacological teething remedies found that gum rubbing was among the most effective options.
A chilled, damp washcloth. Wet a clean washcloth with cool water, wring it out, fold it, and let your baby chew on it. The texture provides gum stimulation and the coolness helps calm inflammation. Do not add any topical numbing agents.
A chilled, clean spoon. A metal spoon stored briefly in the refrigerator and pressed gently against the gum delivers focused cooling relief. Make sure it is only pleasantly cool, not ice-cold.
Distraction and physical comfort. Sometimes a baby who is fussing through teething responds well to being carried, rocked, or engaged in a new activity. Physical comfort and parental presence are genuinely soothing.
Acetaminophen when appropriate. If your baby is clearly miserable and no other approach is helping, the AAP says it is acceptable to ask your pediatrician about a weight-appropriate dose of acetaminophen (Tylenol). Ibuprofen may be used in babies over 6 months with pediatrician guidance. Always confirm the appropriate dose for your child’s weight.
Starting Oral Hygiene During the Teething Stage
Dental care for babies begins before the first tooth arrives. After each feeding, gently wipe your baby’s gums with a clean, damp cloth or gauze to remove milk residue and begin building a healthy oral hygiene habit.
As soon as the first tooth emerges, switch to a soft-bristled infant toothbrush and brush gently twice a day. Use a smear of fluoride toothpaste no larger than a grain of rice. At this stage, the brushing itself matters more than the amount of toothpaste.
The teething phase is also the right moment to think about your baby’s first dental visit. The AAPD recommends scheduling that appointment by the child’s first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth erupting, whichever comes first. That first visit examines how development is progressing, answers your questions, discusses fluoride, and establishes a relationship with your child in a calm setting. The earlier that relationship forms, the more comfortable your child will feel in the dental chair as they grow.
| Role modeling works. Babies learn by watching. Brush your own teeth in front of your baby every day, and from a very early age, they will associate toothbrushing with a normal, expected part of the daily routine. |
Quick Safety Checklist Before Buying a Teether
- Is it made from food-grade or medical-grade silicone, natural rubber, or BPA-free rubber?
- Is it clearly labeled BPA-free? Latex-free if relevant to your baby?
- Is it one solid piece with no small parts that can detach?
- Does it have an appropriate age recommendation for your baby?
- Is it large enough to prevent accidental ingestion?
- Can it be fully cleaned and sanitized?
- Does it avoid hollow liquid-filled chambers?
- Was it purchased from a reputable brand with clearly listed materials?
| Ready to Schedule Your Baby’s First Visit? |
| Call or text us at (703) 468-0700 or visit smilezpediatricdentalgroup.com to request an appointment online. |
| 7521 Virginia Oaks Drive, Suite 210, Gainesville, VA 20155 |
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Sources and References
- American Academy of Pediatrics. Teething Necklaces and Beads: A Caution for Parents. healthychildren.org
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Safely Soothing Teething Pain in Infants and Children. fda.gov
- American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. When Does Teething Start? healthychildren.org
- Mayo Clinic. Teething: Tips for Soothing Sore Gums. Updated December 2024. mayoclinic.org
- Cleveland Clinic. Teething (Teething Syndrome): Symptoms and Tooth Eruption Chart. my.clevelandclinic.org
- Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. A Parent’s Guide to Teething. chla.org
- Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The Dangers of Amber Teething Necklaces. nationwidechildrens.org
- Memarpour M, et al. Signs and symptoms associated with primary tooth eruption: a clinical trial of nonpharmacological remedies. BMC Oral Health. 2015. PMC4517507.