Teethers are NOT just for Teething: Everything you need to know about Teethers

Does my baby need to have teeth before I introduce a teether?

While teething typically starts between 4-6 months of age, your baby can benefit from the oral motor and sensory exploration that a teether offers before those first teeth even pop through! In addition to soothing sore gums while your baby’s teeth are rupturing there are many other early benefits to consider.

PROMOTES ORAL MOTOR DEVELOPMENT

• Strengthens Jaw Muscles: Chewing on a teether helps babies exercise and strengthen the muscles of the mouth, jaw, and face. This oral motor development will assist with feeding and speech development later on. This option is a great place to start.
• Improves Tongue Control: As your baby explores the teether their tongue will follow the teether side to side in their mouth. This lingual lateralization and control will help with swallowing, sucking, and eventually forming speech sounds. The Oball toy can be a great opportunity for developing tongue strength and mobility, and can be especially helpful if your child has recently had a tongue tie release. 
• Lays Foundation Chewing Solid Foods: Chewing on a teether helps prepare your baby for eating solid foods. As they grow your baby will get accustomed to moving their jaws and tongue in a chewing motion. These chewing sticks provide your baby with a great opportunity to practice chewing.
• Prepares Oral Muscles for Speech: Building strength of oral muscles with a teether can also assist  speech development, as the same muscles are used for producing sounds when they begin to speak.

SUPPORTS SENSORY DEVELOPMENT

• Oral Sensory Exploration: Babies learn best through exploring their senses. Offering a teether provides a safe, soothing object for them to explore with their mouth. Your baby can feel different textures with their gums and tongue,providing new opportunities for sensory experiences. Offer an option like this to older children who have sensory seeking oral behaviors like biting their shirt or putting other non-food items in their mouth.
• Soothes and Regulates: Your baby may receive a sense of calm from the pressure that chewing on a teether can provide. This sensation can help your baby self-regulate and manage sensory input which can be especially helpful when they are fussy. This teether is specifically designed for molars and may be beneficial for older babies as well their molars erupt. 
• Provides Safe Chewing Option: A teether gives your baby a safe object to chew on, reducing the risk of them putting harmful objects in their mouths. Babies learn best by exploring toys with their mouth and this rattle is a fun toy to offer.

ENCOURAGES ORAL HYGIENE

• Teethers can help establish habits of teeth brushing early on. This teether or this finger toothbrush have bristles and are great introductions to oral care. Creating a routine around teeth brushing with your baby may help ease the transition to using a toothbrush later on. This banana gives your child a bit of independence as they explore brushing their teeth.
• Introducing a teether may also be a helpful alternative to thumb/finger sucking which can cause dental alignment issues which may impact your child’s mouth over time.

SAFETY TIPS FOR TEETHERS

• Ensure BPA-Free Materials: Check to be sure the teether is made from non-toxic, BPA-free materials. We love this option as it is very easy for small hands to grasp.
• Avoid Teethers with Liquids: Some teethers contain liquids that can potentially leak. Solid or silicone options are a safer alternative.
• Supervise Your Baby: Always watch your baby when they’re using a teether to avoid any choking hazards.
• Avoid the Freezer: While chilling teethers in the freezer may sound soothing, it can be too harsh and injure your baby’s gums. Instead, place teethers in the fridge!