Are Teething Toys Safe? What Parents Should Really Know

I remember the first time my baby started drooling and fussing, and I worried about those emerging teeth. I lay awake at night wondering, are teething toys really good for babies? With guidance from pediatricians and my own research, I found that well-chosen teethers can be a big help.

They let babies chew safely on something when their gums feel sore. Chewing on a clean, appropriate teething toy helps ease swollen gums and even strengthens a baby’s mouth muscles. In fact, biting and chewing on a teether encourages babies to explore with their mouth in a safe way, which can aid speech development and oral awareness.

When to Use a Teether for Your Baby?

I’ve found that the right timing makes a big difference. Most babies usually begin teething between 4 and 7 months. In my own experience, the first clear signs appeared at around 5 months, when my baby started drooling more and constantly trying to chew on nearby objects. These are considered classic early signals. Pediatric guidelines confirm that teething most often starts in this 4–7 month window, though some infants may begin as early as 3 months, while others might not show signs until after their first birthday.

Because of this range, I chose to wait until my baby was truly showing symptoms before offering a teether. Once I noticed continuous drooling and gums that looked red and tender, I introduced a firm rubber teether. The relief was noticeable right away.

To put it simply: offer a teether only when your baby seems ready. The right time is when they show consistent teething cues such as fussiness, chewing on their hands, or swollen gums.

Choosing Safe Teethers: Materials Matter?

Not every teething toy offers the same level of safety. When I selected teethers, I focused on options that were non-toxic, durable, and easy to keep clean. Here is what I learned about the most common materials:

• Silicone teethers: These are very popular today. When made from food-grade silicone, they are soft yet strong, and free from BPA, phthalates, and other harmful chemicals. Proper silicone teethers are often labeled “BPA-free” and “food-grade,” which makes them a safe choice for most families. They are gentle on sore gums, simple to wash with soap and water, and can even be chilled in the refrigerator for added comfort. In practice, I found silicone teethers firm enough to provide soothing pressure, while still being gentle for a baby’s mouth.
• Wooden teethers: Many parents consider these a natural and eco-friendly option. High-quality teethers made from untreated woods like maple or beech are naturally antibacterial and free from plastics, dyes, and chemicals. They also offer a different texture that many babies enjoy. The key is ensuring the wood is smooth and splinter-free. With those checks in place, wooden teethers can be a safe and durable choice.
• Natural rubber teethers: Classic natural rubber toys, such as certain well-known animal-shaped designs, are another safe option. They are soft, chemical-free, and comfortable for babies to chew on. However, like all natural materials, they can wear over time, so they should be replaced at the first signs of damage.

On the other hand, I completely avoided plastic or liquid-filled teethers. Plastics that are not clearly labeled as safe can contain chemicals like BPA or other endocrine disruptors, which may leach into a baby’s mouth. Liquid-filled teethers are also a concern: if the outer layer cracks, the liquid can leak out and pose a risk.

For these reasons, experts often recommend avoiding both plastic and gel-filled designs altogether. Sticking with solid silicone, untreated wood, or natural rubber provides a safer alternative and helps parents avoid unnecessary risks.

Benefits of Teething Toys (And What They Do):

When used correctly, teething toys can provide real benefits for babies. Both research and practical experience highlight several important advantages:

• Pain Relief: Biting down on a teether applies gentle counter-pressure to swollen gums, which helps ease discomfort. It acts almost like a natural gum massage. When chilled in the refrigerator, the cool surface can reduce irritation even more. In many cases, this provides better relief than allowing a baby to chew on a parent’s finger.
• Support for Development: Babies explore the world with their mouths. Holding and chewing a teething toy not only comforts them but also helps build hand-eye coordination and grip strength. It strengthens facial muscles and increases awareness of the mouth, which later supports speech development. Knowing this made me feel confident about offering a safe teether instead of everyday objects.
• Safe Exploration: Since babies are naturally driven to chew on almost anything within reach, giving them a well-designed teether reduces the risk of them mouthing unsafe items. Clean, sturdy teethers provide a controlled and hygienic option for this normal stage of development.

In my experience, keeping a few safe teethers available made the teething stage much easier. Instead of constant fussiness, the right teether often provided comfort and distraction, helping our baby settle more quickly.

Potential Drawbacks and Safety Tips:

It is also important to consider the potential risks. While teething toys can be very helpful, certain types may cause problems if they are not chosen or used carefully:

• Chemical Risks: Some inexpensive teethers may contain chemicals such as BPA or phthalates. Even products labeled “BPA-free” have sometimes been shown to contain trace amounts of these substances. To reduce this risk, it is best to select teethers that carry recognized safety certifications (such as CPSC, FDA, or European standards) and are specifically labeled as food-grade and non-toxic.
• Choking Hazards: Teethers should be inspected regularly. If they begin to crack, peel, or develop loose parts, they may break into small pieces that could present a choking danger. For this reason, damaged teethers should be replaced immediately. In addition, teething jewelry or necklaces should be avoided altogether, as pediatric experts warn that they pose both choking and strangulation risks.
• Frozen Teethers: It may seem helpful to freeze a teether for extra cooling, but extremely hard, frozen surfaces can actually harm a baby’s gums. Pediatric recommendations suggest chilling teethers in the refrigerator rather than the freezer. A cold, but not frozen, teether provides comfort without causing injury.
• Overuse: While teethers are effective, relying on them too often can become a habit. It is best to offer a teether when a baby shows signs of teething discomfort, but balance this with other soothing methods such as cuddling, gum massage, or distraction. In this way, the teether remains a supportive tool rather than a constant substitute for comfort.

In short, by choosing sturdy, non-toxic designs and supervising their use, parents can make teethers a safe and effective part of teething care. The advantages generally outweigh the risks when the right products are used properly.

Home Remedies for a Teething Baby (Especially at Night):

Teething often worsens at night, making rest difficult for both baby and parents. Here are the methods that worked for us, supported by pediatric advice:

• Gum Massage: Using a clean finger or a smooth, cool spoon to gently rub my baby’s gums often brought quick relief. The firm but gentle pressure soothes tender gums and eases discomfort. I made this part of our bedtime routine whenever teething pain was strongest. It’s simple, safe, and effective.
• Chilled Teethers and Washcloths: I always kept a silicone teether in the refrigerator (never the freezer). A cold, firm teething ring provided safe comfort without the risk of injury. Pediatricians recommend this approach as one of the most effective remedies. If possible i would recomend parents to buy aqua filled teethers. A clean, damp washcloth chilled for a few minutes worked well too, under supervision, my baby enjoyed chewing on it, and the coolness eased the soreness.
• Teething Biscuits (For Older Babies): Around 8-10 months, we introduced unsweetened teething biscuits and, at times, chilled carrot sticks (with close supervision). These gave my baby something firm to chew on, which applied counter-pressure to the gums. Afterward, I always cleaned their gums to prevent early tooth decay.
• Pain Relief (When Needed): On particularly tough nights, we asked our pediatrician about infant acetaminophen (Tylenol). They provided safe dosing guidance, and we used it sparingly, only when discomfort was severe and other methods had failed. Experts emphasize that pain relievers should only be given after medical approval.
• Comfort and Soothing: Beyond physical remedies, maintaining a calm bedtime routine helped enormously, dim lights, soft music, rocking, and extra cuddles. Sometimes, simply holding my baby with a cool teether in hand was enough to relax them back to sleep.

Avoid unsafe remedies: Teething gels, homeopathic tablets, and amber necklaces are not recommended. The American Academy of Pediatrics warns that these products can be ineffective or even dangerous, posing risks like choking or toxicity.

Bottom Line:

Teething toys are generally good for babies when they start needing them. I saw firsthand that the right teether made a big difference in comfort and sleep for my baby.

By choosing safe materials (like silicone or wood), using teethers at the right time (around 4-6 months), and combining them with gentle home remedies, we kept teething stress manageable. It wasn’t magic, but a little planning and the right tools helped our family feel much more confident during the teething months.