Teething rings are designed to make teething easier for babies. They help break through the gums, massage them and can relieve some of the pain, as well as provide play and distraction. Parents can choose from a wide range of different designs that have different features.
What are teething rings?
The term teething “ring” should not be understood too narrowly. In addition to the usual ring shape, there are also other variants, for example, x-shaped teething rings, whose legs are particularly easy to reach even to the back molars. Teething rings are small, usually ring-shaped objects that teething babies can safely chew on. Their diameter must be large enough not to be swallowed and small enough to fit in the baby’s mouth. There are several varieties and not all babies accept every teething ring. They are made of non-toxic, half soft, half solid material. Mostly plastic is used, but wooden or natural rubber teething rings also exist. The term “teething ring” should not be interpreted too narrowly. In addition to the usual ring shape, there are also other variants, such as x-shaped teething rings, the legs of which can easily reach the back molars. Teething rings must not pose any risk of injury, for example from sharp corners or edges. The material must also be absolutely non-toxic. There must also be no detachable, swallowable small parts. A teething ring for babies should also be easy to clean and have no grooves or rough surfaces in which bacteria can settle. Some varieties feature small nubs or other attachments on the teething surface, which are designed to make chewing even more interesting for teething babies and massage the gums even better.
Shapes, types and styles
During teething, babies have an increased need to chew on objects. The resulting massage of the irritated gums causes pain relief. Teething rings are therefore usually instinctively used by baybies for their intended purpose. Teething rings exist in many different designs and often in shapes that infants can easily grasp. Grasping and holding objects can also be practiced along the way. Acoustic stimuli can also be provided, for example by hollow molds with rattling filling. This can provide additional distraction from any jaw or gum pain and thus have a calming effect. Some teething rings are filled with a liquid and can be chilled in the refrigerator, providing further relief for babies. The cold additionally soothes the necessary slightly inflamed gums and swollen areas can recede. In addition, chewing stimulates the salivary glands. The saliva has a soothing effect on inflamed or irritated areas of the gums and at the same time helps to protect the new teeth. In this way, they are cared for from the very beginning and a healthier oral flora is ensured. Too often, the care of milk teeth is neglected or not considered important because they fall out after a few years. However, well-maintained baby teeth save young children from dental procedures and provide a healthy starting environment for the second, permanent set of teeth. They also perform important functions in eating and speaking and should therefore be cared for and maintained just as thoroughly as the teeth that follow. In order to achieve optimum effect through the use of teething rings, care instructions should be followed as a matter of urgency. For example, they must not be treated with harsh cleaning agents, even if parents may think they are using disinfectants to ensure that the utensil is as bacteria-free as possible. Depending on the material, teething rings can be attacked by harsh agents in such a way that the material changes. In most cases, they must also not be cleaned in dishwashers. Teething rings should be replaced immediately even if they are slightly damaged. A roughened or cracked surface makes it easier for bacteria to take hold or can lead to injuries to the delicate oral mucosa.
Medical and health benefits
Baby teeth usually begin erupting in infants around 6 months of age. In many cases, the first visible teeth are the lower incisors. After a few years, they fall out and are replaced by the second, permanent set of teeth.This turns out to be less painful for children than the first teething. The first dentition (teething) can be very stressful for babies. The milk teeth already in the jaw begin to grow out and break through the gum surface. In some cases, this happens almost without complications or even completely painless, but often babies are particularly tearful during this time. In addition to pain, teething may be accompanied by fever, inflammation and restlessness. The gums may swell and lead to “chubby cheeks.” These symptoms together can leave the infant in an attacked general condition. Relief of any of the symptoms that occur can therefore ease the condition and make it much more bearable. Biting around on all kinds of objects is the instinctive reaction of the teething infant. It provides occupation and thus distraction, and it leads to relief of pain in the gums. Symptoms such as fever must still be reported to a pediatrician. To attribute these merely to teething without professional consultation is dangerous, as coincidentally concurrent but more serious illnesses, such as middle ear infections, may go undetected and thus untreated for too long.
