Baby teethers: how to choose and use them safely

Updated August 25, 2026

When teeth are coming through, the gums itch and ache, and the baby chews on everything — fists, toys, the edge of the cot. A teether gives them something safe to gnaw on instead: chewing puts counter-pressure on the sore gums, and a cool teether soothes them a little.

It is not a medicine or an essential item, just a simple, safe way to ease the discomfort. Below: how to choose a good teether, how to use it properly, and which popular "teething remedies" are dangerous and must not be used.

Why a teether helps

While teeth come through the gums ache, and the baby wants to chew — chewing gives counter-pressure on the sore spot and is a distraction. A cool teether also chills the gums slightly, which dulls the unpleasant feeling.

The main benefit is simpler than it sounds: a teether gives the baby something safe to gnaw on instead of the hard or unsafe objects they will otherwise reach for. Do not expect miracles from it — it eases the discomfort, it does not "treat the teeth".

How to choose a safe teether

One solid piece of firm, baby-safe material. A single part made of food-grade silicone or rubber meant for babies, with no glued-on pieces.
No liquid or gel inside. Liquid- or gel-filled teethers can leak or burst when chewed hard — better to avoid them.
No small parts that could detach. Anything that can break off and end up in the mouth is a choking risk.
No long cords, ribbons or beads around the neck. Any loop or string around the neck is dangerous.
The right size and shape. The baby should be able to hold the teether comfortably and mouth it without gagging or pushing it in too far.
Easy to clean. A simple shape with no hard-to-reach cavities, so you can wash it regularly.

How to use it

Chill it in the fridge, never the freezer. A teether frozen rock-hard becomes stiff and can bruise the gums — you want it cool, not icy or hard.
Let the baby chew under supervision. Do not leave the baby alone with a teether, especially while asleep.
Clean it regularly according to the maker's instructions, so it stays hygienic.
Offer it when the baby is fussy with teething — as one way to distract and settle them.
A simple alternative works too. A clean, cool, damp cloth or a chilled solid ring soothes the gums just as well as a bought teether.

Dangerous products — do not use

Amber (and any other) teething necklaces are a strangulation risk from the loop and a choking risk from loose beads, with no proven benefit whatsoever. Do not put anything like that around a baby's neck or wrist.

Teething gels containing lidocaine or benzocaine are dangerous for babies, and their use at this age is banned in many countries. Do not use numbing gels without a doctor's advice. Also dangerous: any teether frozen solid, and anything with small detachable parts.

Use safe methods instead: a cool solid teether, a cool cloth, a gentle gum massage with a clean finger, and plenty of cuddles — babies especially need closeness at this stage.

Hard foods for the gums — with care

For older babies who have started solids, some hard foods can also soothe the gums. But pieces of food carry a choking risk, so they should only be given to a baby sitting up and only under constant supervision. What is safe to offer and when belongs to starting solids, not to teething.

Fever and rash are not "teething"

Teething can cause mild fussiness, drooling and the urge to chew, but a high fever, diarrhoea or a rash are not explained by teeth. If those appear, do not put them down to teething — they have their own cause and need checking on their own.

When to see a doctor

See a doctor if the baby has a high fever, is lethargic, refuses to feed or is clearly unwell. These are not signs of teething, and they need looking into as an illness in their own right, not waiting "for the tooth to come through".

How to prepare for the next flare

Teething comes in waves, and every new tooth is a rough patch of its own. Noting when the fussiness started and what soothed the baby this time — a cool teether, a cloth, a gum massage — builds up a clear picture over time. By the next wave you already know what settles your particular baby, and you meet it prepared rather than starting from scratch.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I freeze a teether?

No. A teether frozen rock-hard becomes stiff and can bruise the gums. Chill it in the fridge instead: you want it cool, not hard.

From what age can I give a teether?

Offer a teether when the baby starts mouthing everything and teeth are coming through. Choose an age-appropriate, certified product, and always let the baby chew under supervision.

Are amber teething necklaces safe?

No. A necklace round the neck is a strangulation risk from the loop and a choking risk from the beads, and there is no proven benefit. Do not use them; choose safe ways to ease the discomfort.

Can I rub a numbing gel on the gums?

Gels with lidocaine or benzocaine are dangerous for babies and banned at this age in many countries. Do not use numbing gels without a doctor's advice — a cool teether, a cloth and a gum massage with a clean finger are better.

Can teething cause a fever and diarrhoea?

Teething can bring mild fussiness and drooling, but a high fever, diarrhoea and a rash are not explained by teeth. Those symptoms need checking on their own, and an unwell baby should be seen by a doctor.

Sources

Baby teething symptoms — NHS