The Best Teethers to Help Relieve Baby’s Teething Discomfort
From first teeth to molars, these expert-approved teethers soothe sore gums and support oral development.
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Sometime between six and twelve months old, your baby may start drooling, being unusually cranky and wanting to bite down on everything in sight. Congratulations, that's those new teeth coming in!
Teething can be an exciting time, since it means your baby might be ready for solid foods and chewing—but it does come with some discomfort. Teethers give little ones something safe to chomp on, and many of them can be chilled to help soothe sore gums. And when it comes to choosing teethers, there are a few things that pediatricians and pediatric dentists want parents to be on the lookout for, because some materials and styles will provide greater relief and support proper dental development (more on that below).
The teethers that made this list are approved by experts, parents and babies alike, no matter if it’s your little one’s very first tooth or they’re finally getting those molars in.
Why Trust Babylist?
Babylist is the expert in baby; we know baby gear inside and out. We talk with parents face-to-face in our showroom and on our user panels and hear from thousands annually via our Best Baby Products online survey. We know what items millions of expecting parents are adding to their baby registries.
Firsthand professional and personal experience. As a Babylist editor and parent of two, I’ve spent 8+ years researching and testing baby products—including teethers. Through both professional expertise and personal experience, I understand what works best for soothing sore gums and promoting healthy oral development.
Expert POV. I consulted board-certified pediatricians and pediatric dentists, including Dr. Vishala Patel, Dr. Amanda Thomas and Dr. Jonelle Anamelechi, to ensure our recommendations support both baby’s safety and the healthy development of their brand new teeth.
Data-driven selections. I analyzed Babylist’s own data to find the teethers that parents are buying. The teethers on this list are not only safe and dentist-approved, they’re popular, too.
Parent feedback and reviews. I also analyzed product reviews from real parents who have used these teethers, so you can be sure they actually work (and that babies actually love them).
How We Judged the Best Teethers
Best Teethers for Front Teeth
Baby’s first teeth arrive in the front, so larger, rounded teethers that fit just inside their mouth will work best. And since younger babies are still developing their grip, their first teethers should be lightweight and easy to hold.
Best Teethers for Back Teeth
Back teeth (molars) come in a little later, with the first set typically arriving between 13 and 19 months and the second set between their second and third birthdays. Molars can cause more discomfort than front teeth since they’re quite a bit bigger and take longer to come through the gums. Standard teethers often don’t reach far enough, so molar-specific designs with long, extended shapes are ideal.
What to Look for When Choosing Teethers
There may only be a dozen teethers on this list, but there are literally hundreds on the market—and when teething pain is making your baby uncomfortable and cranky, the right teether can make all the difference. When choosing a teether, pediatricians and pediatric dentists say you should consider these factors:
Material. Dr. Vishala Patel, a dentist and owner of Edge Dental Designs, recommends opting for firm but flexible silicone teethers, which provide the right balance of comfort and durability. If you’re looking for a natural material, Dr. Amanda Thomas, a board-certified pediatrician with Bluebird Kids Health, recommends firm, durable rubber, as “these provide safe chewing relief without posing choking hazards.” A material that allows baby to really bite down and chew will help strengthen their oral muscles, says both Dr. Patel and Dr. Jonelle Anamelechi, a board-certified pediatric dentist in Washington, D.C. “It just has to be hard enough that it allows the gums to crush against it,” Dr. Anamelechi says. “That helps relieve some of the discomfort.”
Shape. Teether shape matters based on what teeth are coming in, but you also want a shape that actually works with the size of your baby’s mouth—too large means baby can’t bite effectively, too small and it’s a choking hazard.
Design. Dr. Patel also says to look for teethers with texture, since small bumps or lines on the teether help massage sore gums with every bite. Once your baby is ready for solid foods, Dr. Anamelechi recommends teethers with a net-like design that are meant to hold fresh or frozen foods, as they promote the natural function of chewing on food while also soothing teething symptoms.
Ease of cleaning. These things go straight into your baby’s mouth, so the best teethers are ones that are easy to clean and preferably dishwasher-safe. Be sure to check the care and cleaning instructions, since some teethers may be hand-wash only, especially if they include wooden pieces.
Teether Safety
Not all teethers are created equal, and safety is a priority when choosing one for your baby. Again, teethers are meant for your baby’s mouth, and as Dr. Thomas says, “an object intended for a baby’s mouth should be, above all, safe and free of risks.” Because of the very high possibility of your baby ingesting whatever is in or on their teethers, all the experts I spoke to recommend avoiding these types of teethers:
Liquid-filled. Even if they’re just filled with water, these can leak or break, posing an ingestion or choking risk.
Unsafe materials. Ensure teethers are free from harmful substances like BPA, phthalates or lead.
Small parts. Teethers with small, detachable parts, including teething jewelry like necklaces or bracelets, can cause choking, strangulation or mouth injuries.
Hard materials. Some teethers are made of hard plastic or are entirely wood. Inflexible materials like those, Dr. Patel says, “can cause gum irritation and even damage to developing teeth.”
“And as an added precaution,” Dr. Thomas says, “it is important to always supervise your baby while they use a teether to ensure their utmost safety.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Teethers
Do Babies Need Teethers?
Teethers aren’t a must-have for every baby, but they can be a huge help for soothing sore gums and supporting oral development.
"Teethers are not essential for every infant, as teething experiences vary from baby to baby," Dr. Thomas says. "Some babies experience discomfort and may benefit from teethers, while others show minimal signs of teething and do not require them at all."
If you’re on the fence about getting a few teethers for your baby, it may be helpful to know that they also play a role in oral development. "Using a teether strengthens jaw structure, which is needed when teeth come in to actually crush food," Dr. Anamelechi says. "It allows the gums to know that the teeth should be coming in and that we need them to chew."
When Do Babies Usually Use Teethers?
Teething typically starts around when babies are six months old, though every baby is different. Dr. Thomas says that introducing a teether around four months old can be beneficial, as this is when babies begin exploring objects with their mouths. "Introducing a teether during this period can also provide a fun way for your baby to explore new textures with their gums and tongue,” she says.
So you might consider giving your baby a teether before that first tooth has actually appeared. According to Dr. Anamelechi, there may even be a tooth coming in—it’s just taking a while. "It generally takes about eight days from the time you see a tooth beginning to come in to fully emerge,” she says.
And keep in mind that teething usually lasts until close to your little one’s third birthday, when that second set of molars comes in. Even toddlers can get drooly and cranky when they’re teething (molars are notoriously the most difficult stage of teething due to their size and slow emergence), so teethers may be a part of your routine for a couple of years. Even more reason to make sure you’re investing in a few that are made from durable, high-quality materials that will last—and maybe even live through the toddler teething phase.
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