View source for Teether

{{Not to be confused with|Tether}}
{{Short description|Toy for teething babies to chew on}}
[[File:Sophie the Giraffe with baby.jpg|thumb|upright|[[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 tooth|wisdom teeth]]. <ref>{{Cite journal |date=2017-10-01 |title=The world's first adult teether |journal=British Dental Journal |language=en |volume=223 |issue=7 |pages=545 |doi=10.1038/sj.bdj.2017.870 |s2cid=3221641 |issn=1476-5373|doi-access=free }}</ref>  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 [[Refrigeration|refrigerated]]. They differ from [[Pacifier|pacifiers]] in that they are intended to be chewed, rather than sucked on.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-07-18|title=15 best teething toys|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/kids/baby-tech-essentials/best-teething-toys-soothing-babies-development-a8453116.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220526/https://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/kids/baby-tech-essentials/best-teething-toys-soothing-babies-development-a8453116.html |archive-date=2022-05-26 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=2020-06-15|website=The Independent|language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thespruce.com/why-do-babies-like-teethers-3255327|title=Why Do Babies Like Teethers?|work=The Spruce|access-date=2018-03-30}}</ref> Studies found that chewing a teether may make teething children calmer and happier, less stressed, and less cranky.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Lerond |first1=Clara |last2=Hudry |first2=Julie |last3=Zahar |first3=Sélima |last4=Makwana |first4=Aidan |last5=Schneider |first5=Nora |date=2021-10-29 |title=Soothing Effect of an Edible Teether: A Pilot Study in Children during Primary Dentition Age |journal=International Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry |language=en |volume=14 |issue=4 |pages=525–530 |doi=10.5005/jp-journals-10005-2002 |issn=0974-7052 |pmc=8585899 |pmid=34824508}}</ref> '''Teething necklaces''' and '''teething bracelets''' may pose a choking hazard to infants and toddlers depending on the teething parts, and have prompted recalls.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Teething Necklaces and Beads: A Caution for Parents|url=https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/teething-tooth-care/Pages/Amber-Teething-Necklaces.aspx|access-date=2020-06-15|website=HealthyChildren.org|date=20 December 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Teething: Tips for soothing sore gums|url=https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/teething/art-20046378|access-date=2020-06-15|website=Mayo Clinic|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gov.uk/product-safety-alerts-reports-recalls/product-recall-mushroom-teether-sold-via-amazon-2205-0217 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519185118/https://www.gov.uk/product-safety-alerts-reports-recalls/product-recall-mushroom-teether-sold-via-amazon-2205-0217 | archive-date=2022-05-19 | title=Product Recall: Mushroom Teether sold via Amazon (2205-0217) }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2014/infantino-recalls-teething-toys | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170208111258/https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2014/infantino-recalls-teething-toys | archive-date=2017-02-08 | title=Infantino Recalls Teething Toys }}</ref> Teethers filled with liquid have also been recalled because of bacterial contamination.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/baby-teethers-recalled-due-to-contamination-hazard-health-canada-1.6037610 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220822211327/https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/baby-teethers-recalled-due-to-contamination-hazard-health-canada-1.6037610 | archive-date=2022-08-22 | title=Baby teethers recalled due to contamination hazard: Health Canada | date=22 August 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Contamination fear spurs teether recall |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2006-01-29-0601290401-story.html |access-date=1 October 2022 |work=Chicago Tribune}}</ref>  Early teethers were often '''teething rings'''.

[[File:Teething Ring.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Early twentieth century teething ring]]
Teething biscuits, like [[rusk]]s and [[Ladyfinger (biscuit)|ladyfingers]], can also be given for teething.

==References==
<references/>{{Infants and their care}}
[[Category:Infancy]]
[[Category:Teeth]]
[[Category:Babycare]]
[[Category:Rubber toys]]
[[Category:Toy recalls]]

{{Toy-stub}}