Before you became a parent, you likely “baby proofed” your house. From covering electrical outlets and using locks on cabinet doors with cleaning chemicals, you take your baby’s safety seriously—as you should! But did you know that even a toy designed for a baby could endanger them? Teething toys can work miracles, helping primary dentition come in with less fuss, but they may also pose a risk to your little one. To keep them safe and healthy, learn these four safety tips for teething toys.
Safety Tip #1: Clean the Teething Toy Often.
Babies, especially those who are teething, drool a lot. Constantly wet, a teething toy provides a conducive environment for mold and bacteria that could infect your baby. Teething toys should be durable enough to endure a cleaning process, either in a dishwasher or with dish soap and hot water, so you can eliminate the threat to their immune system. Cleaning the toy regularly can prevent mold formation and protect your baby from unnecessary illness.
Safety Tip #2: Don’t Use Teething Toys That Contain Liquid or Gel.
Theoretically, a teething toy with liquid or gel would be effective. Freezing or chilling the toy can help offer relief for your teething baby’s sore gums; however, their sharp teeth and strong bite could penetrate the exterior material, causing the liquid or gel to leak. It’s simply safer to avoid these types of products altogether than to constantly keep an eye on your baby while they chew on teething toys.
Safety Tip #3: Don’t Select a Teething Toy with Loose Pieces.
Your baby’s teething toy should consist of solid components. Like a dog with its toys, your teething baby will likely target the loose pieces first, which can tear off in chunks they cannot swallow. This poses a serious choking hazard! Fortunately, plenty of teething toys do not have extra pieces and won’t threaten your child’s safety.
Safety Tip #4: Don’t Attach a Teething Toy to Your Baby.
Those little clips may be convenient for keeping track of a pacifier, but they present a risk to your baby. Teething toys and the ribbon or cord could wrap about their neck. As a result, resist the urge to pin or clip them to your baby.
As a parent, you have many safety issues to worry about, but with some simple tips in mind, you can give a teething toy to your baby, confident they will get only relief from their teething discomfort and not hurt themselves. If only other dangers were this easy to eliminate!
About the Practice
At the helm of Wash Park Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Patrick Bowman and Dr. Kathleen Waguespack aren’t just board-certified pediatric dentists; they are also parents of their own kids. They know firsthand the struggles parents face in raising kids and helping them with their dental health. In a comfortable, kid-friendly environment, they are happy to assist parents with infants set the path toward lifelong smiles early in kids’ lives. If you struggle with a teething baby, you can find expert advice, compassion, and excellent care with our team. Contact us online or call our Denver office at 720-647-6310 for an appointment.