About Teething Rings
Rubbing a bit of whiskey on a teething child's gums was a standard practice in many homes. That is, until people realized that the rubbing sensation wasn't what calmed the children. The whiskey actually was putting the babies to sleep--far from a healthy choice. But there was some truth to this technique. Rubbing of the gums is something that soothes the sore gums of teething children. Teething rings make this possible, though some care needs to be practiced.
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Significance
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A teething ring makes it possible for a teething child to gnaw and chew on the ring. This relieves the pain of teething somewhat and also aids the teeth in breaking through the gums. It also lets the baby gain some control over the process of teething, though the satisfaction of this can be hard to measure in a six-month old. But teething rings seem to do the trick for many babies.
Types
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While anything can be used by a baby to chew on, there are two general types of a teething rings; a room temperature ring or one that is frozen. Either ring can have a smooth texture or be bumpy, the main difference is whether the ring can be frozen to further reduce the pain and swelling associated with the teething process.
Most rings are made to be popped into the freezer and used to help numb the gums of the teething baby, providing relief to the baby and parents alike. As the day goes on, the ring will defrost to room temperature and become chewy, which may provide further relief to your teething child. What seems to soothe your baby best, as well as your access to a freezer, will dictate your choice.
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Warning
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Two major faults of teething rings are construction materials and hard edges. Avoid anything that contain phthalates as a compound in the baby's teething ring. This additive makes plastic more malleable, certainly, but is also linked with infertility and other health issues (see Resources below). Also avoid anything with hard edges. As your fingers can testify, babies have a strong bite when teething. Hard edges can cut the baby's gums, causing bleeding and bruising on already sore gums. Be sure that whether frozen or room temperature, the ring won't damage the baby's mouth. Also be certain that the ring can be frozen if you choose this method. Most rings can, but check the packaging information to be certain before you toss it in the freezer.
Identification
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Look for a product that is specifically labeled as a teething ring to be sure it can withstand the force of the baby's bite. It should also have a handle that very young babies can hold on to easily, to minimize frustration and constant parental intervention.
Considerations
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Be aware that children will chew on almost anything once they begin teething. A sippy cup is often a favorite choice, so use ones that have a soft spout, like the products from Avent or Gerber. Otherwise, you may find your child's one emergent tooth grinds down as he continues to chew as the other teeth emerge. Keep other items away from your baby as car keys, cell phones and other personal items are not only unhygienic, but prone to breakage as your baby chews away.
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