Silicone finger brush: for cleaning teeth, teething and massaging gums in children

Tips for parents on choosing a teether for baby teeth

A teether is the best option for relieving painful sensations. Moreover, it can be used repeatedly. But, before you go about purchasing this product, you need to familiarize yourself with some recommendations that are important to pay attention to.

Accessory material

The material from which teethers are made may vary. It is better to choose safe materials that are easy to process. Also, the product should not emit an unpleasant odor.

Silicone

The most popular among mothers are silicone teethers. This material is the safest and most pleasant to the touch. Silicone has no unpleasant odor or taste. Silicone teethers are also quite elastic and dense, so they are almost impossible to chew or deform. They are easy to sterilize and do not lose their appearance.

A silicone teether has a fairly long service life and is undoubtedly recommended for purchase.

Latex

Latex teething products have a more elastic, pliable, thin material. Therefore, such teethers are not durable. Another disadvantage is that latex is not suitable for sterilization. Latex products should be treated in warm water and detergents. This material has a specific smell and taste that the child may not like. Latex can take on a different color and quickly lose its original appearance.

Plastic

Teethers can be made of high-quality plastic. This material is quite dense and easy to process. It is quite difficult to bite off a piece of plastic; it does not crumble, so it is safe.

Tree

You can also find wooden teethers on the modern market. But such a teether requires special attention before purchasing. Products for teeth should be made of hard, dense wood (beech, maple, juniper). Teethers can be natural colors, and this option is better suited for the child. There are also multi-colored products.

Although most manufacturers use safe paints that contain food additives, it is still recommended to give preference to natural colors. Wooden teethers do not crack or break. If a chip or other defect appears, this indicates that the product is made of softer types of wood (birch, linden).

A wooden product that has lost its original appearance may be unsafe and giving such a teether to a child is strongly not recommended.

Textile

Textile teething devices are quite soft and cannot fully provide an analgesic effect. Such products quickly absorb saliva and are easily washed after use. This type of teether can be used by babies when cutting their first teeth.

Teether shape

The next parameter that requires attention is the shape of the teether. This indicator can be very different. The basic shape for “rodents” is oval or round with a hole inside. That is, the ring is easy for a child to pick up and use for its intended purpose. But there are other shapes, for example, triangular. This type of teether is very convenient because this shape can reach any part of the gums.

Where should I buy a teether?

Today, more and more different children's specialized stores are appearing, where you can find any device or accessory. You can also use an online store, of which there are also plenty on the Internet. This option is very convenient for mothers, for whom shopping is a very difficult task.

The best teethers for teeth: manufacturer ratings

An important criterion for choosing a teether is the manufacturer. Avent products are famous for their wonderful quality. Teethers from this company are made from safe materials and are shaped like animals or simple figures. Avent toys are divided according to the stages of teething, which makes it easier for inexperienced parents to choose accessories.

The Tommee Tippee pacifier for front teeth is in great demand; an anesthetic gel is applied to its special recesses to enhance the effect.

Bright teethers from Nuby not only cope with the task effectively, but also develop children's horizons, imagination, finger motor skills and imaginative thinking thanks to their intricate shapes.

The French company Vulli is known to mothers and babies for its funny teething toys, the most striking of which are “Sophie the Giraffe” and “Cham the Mushroom”. The list of reliable manufacturers of rodents also includes the following companies: Nuk, Canpol, Happy baby and Doctor Brown's.

When buying a baby teether, it is important to understand that the child may not like the chosen option. Therefore, it is better to stock up on several types of teethers, differing in materials, rigidity and shape.

What types of teethers are there?

Over time, manufacturers create various teethers. You can find your ideal option for a specific child.

Teethers with cooling effect

The cooling teether is the most popular product among mothers. In addition to the fact that the baby can “scratch” his gums, the teether has an additional function - the cooling effect significantly reduces pain. This product looks like various figures or animals. The teether is usually equipped with a comfortable handle so that the baby can hold the “teeth” independently.

The material can be combined. As a rule, it is made of silicone and plastic elements. This option is the most optimal, because a child can chew both silicone and plastic inserts. The silicone contains water or a special gel inside.

Before giving the teether to your child, the item must be placed in the refrigerator for about 1 hour. The liquid or gel cools and maintains a cool temperature. When used, such a “gnawer” provides an analgesic effect.

In addition, silicone inserts on the surface often have various elements, thanks to which the child can scratch his gums more effectively. The cooling teether is quite heavy, so it is recommended to give it to babies from six months of age.

Teether pacifier

Teether pacifiers, as their name suggests, are pacifier-shaped. They can be made of silicone, plastic or other materials. You can chew on the pacifier itself, the ring, and the stopper. The nipple itself may have additional protrusions and elements for a better effect.

This teether is intended for biting only; sucking will not be possible. The pacifier can have a variety of shapes. This “rodent” will be an ideal option for those who love pacifiers. The advantage of this teether is that with the help of a special accessory you can attach it to your baby’s clothes.

Teether rattle

This device is a combination of a teether and a rattle or toy. Such a “rodent” can also consist of several different materials. For example, the rattle is made of plastic, and the biting elements are made of silicone.

The teether's inserts can have different colors and shapes, as well as additional elements necessary to provide a massage effect. Many children love to chew on their toys, so this item combines business with pleasure.

Silicone brush

A silicone teether equipped with bristles that resembles a brush is also in great demand. It can be located on a stick or have a special fingertip that the mother can put on her finger and scratch the baby’s gums.

Teether with vibration

The teether can be made of various materials. But the distinguishing feature is its additional vibration function. This item runs on batteries and begins to vibrate after the baby bites on the item. The massage effect improves the child’s condition and improves blood supply to the gums.

Instructions for using teethers

1. It should not be used to speed up the teething process. It should be given only when the need arises.
2. If red and swollen gums cause discomfort and pain to the baby, and he does not take the teether, then you can take a silicone pad on your finger and do a massage yourself.
3. If the acquired “rodent” does not arouse the child’s interest, then there is no need to be upset. When the need arises, he will definitely use it.
4. Before giving it to your child, you need to sterilize it in hot water or wash it thoroughly with baby soap.

Important! You need to disinfect it every time before giving it to your baby. To do this, you need to put it in boiling water or wash it.

Before using cooling teethers filled with a special liquid, you need to place it in the freezer for a while. Don't worry, the solution won't freeze.

At what age can I use a teether?

The process of teething is quite individual. Some people got their first tooth at 4 months, others at a year. This process cannot be influenced in any way, and it is not necessary. In any case, if there are rudiments of teeth, they will erupt sooner or later. You can offer a “rodent” to a child as early as 3 months of age. During this period, the baby begins to be interested in toys and put everything in his mouth.

It is better to let the child move a clean, specially designed teether in his mouth than with his hands, food or pieces of fabric. To begin with, a three-month-old baby can be offered the simplest “rodents” that have a simple shape (oval or round), homogeneous material and the appropriate size.

Many experts agree that a child should be given a toy that is larger than his fist.

After 6 months, when the active process of teething begins, you can use cooling “biters”, as well as teethers of various shapes. Because some children will need to scratch the entire gum, not just the central incisor areas. Closer to the year, when premolars and molars erupt, you will need products with all kinds of protrusions so that the teether can reach the right place.

How to care for the accessory?

Care measures vary slightly depending on the material from which the teether is made. Silicone products can be sterilized in special devices. They easily withstand this process, and you can sterilize them many times and not be afraid that the product may lose its original appearance.

But you shouldn’t do this every day, because keeping the baby in sterile conditions is not recommended. After using the “rodent”, it should be doused with boiling water and stored in a dried form until the next use.

Latex products may not withstand regular sterilization and must be treated in hot water and detergent. The same goes for plastic. Wooden teethers cannot be boiled or sterilized, because wood does not tolerate water or high temperatures. And the types of wood from which the “rodent” is made have antiseptic properties.

Before first use, it is recommended to wipe such teethers with a damp cloth. This must also be done when soiled and stored in a dry place.

Basic selection criteria

When choosing a teether, you should pay attention to some features. Among the rich and colorful assortment, it is important to find the right one. Here, a lot depends not only on the individual preferences of the little one, but also on what teeth are being cut .

1. For a baby 4-6 months old whose central incisors are emerging, simple models made of soft silicone that are easy to grip are most suitable.
2. When the toddler's lateral incisors begin to erupt, it is better to offer him an oval-shaped and medium-hard rodent.
3. When the molars appear, the baby will like the teether, the design of which provides stimulation of the distant gums. And it should already be quite tough.

Sequence of teething in children

Table “Classification of teethers depending on the age of the child”

TOP 10 most popular teethers

Canpol Babies Teether Rattle

This product consists of a combination of plastic and silicone. The rattle has the shape of a ring, which is convenient for the baby to hold. Hollow, transparent plastic inserts inside contain colorful balls that are fun to watch. They also create a pleasant sound. Silicone inserts have different colors and relief elements that create a massage effect. The ring is fitted with silicone rings of different shapes and colors, and also have different surfaces.

This product is suitable for children from 3 months. Kids can finger them in their hands, developing fine motor skills. This “rodent” is the best value for money. The cost of such a teether is 320 rubles.

Teether-rattle Canpol Babies Multi-colored rings 2/450

Rattle-teether Pigeon

The “rodent” from the Japanese manufacturer has a simple shape and laconic design. It has a very modest size and light weight, so it is suitable for children from 3 months of age. The teether consists of a handle, inside of which small balls roll, making a sound. A flat silicone part with a relief surface is attached to the handle. This “rodent” has no unnecessary parts. The price is 350 rubles.

Teether-rattle Pigeon R-1

Giraffe Sophie Vulli

The world-famous giraffe is produced in France. This toy is created by hand from natural, high-quality, environmentally friendly and safe rubber. The giraffe is light and very pleasant to the touch. The manufacturer tried to create a material that would imitate the mother's skin.

From the first days of life, the baby can hold a toy in his hands, feeling more comfortable. After 3 months he can use the giraffe as a “chewer”. You must be careful when purchasing, because there is a high probability of encountering a fake. The price is quite high and amounts to 1800 - 2200 rubles.

Teether-rattle Vulli Giraffe Sophie 616400

Rattle-teether Tiny Love Flower

This product resembles a small dumbbell. At one end there is a ball that has the function of a rattle, and at the other there is a flower. One layer of the petals has silicone material, which is ideal for the role of a “rodent”, the other layer is rustling, producing a pleasant sound. The thin part is the handle, supplemented with silicone balls that prevent the toy from slipping out of the baby’s hand.

This rattle can be played with your baby from early months. But for independent play, such a “rodent” is suitable for older children, because the rattle is quite heavy. The price is 450 rubles.

Teether-rattle Tiny Love Flower 385

Cooling teether Chicco Cherry

This “rodent” of the Italian brand is an ideal option for children in the first months of life. Inside the silicone cherries there is a special gel that has a cooling effect. But first, you need to keep the teether in the refrigerator for some time. The “rodent” is made of high-quality and safe materials. This product cannot be boiled. To disinfect, the teether must be kept in the freezer for about 2 hours. The price is 320 rubles.

Chicco Fresh Relax teether

Cooling teether Happy baby

This teether has a ring shape that is comfortable to hold and use. This “rodent” is filled with water, thereby ensuring a cooling effect. The advantage of the teether is that the product comes with an additional accessory - a clip that is attached to the baby’s clothes. The price is 200 rubles.

Happy Baby Water teether 2018

Tommee Tippee teether

This product is ideal for distant teeth due to its oval shape. Despite this, it can also be used by children in the first months of life. It is also suitable for teething front teeth. This product can be processed in a sterilizer, as well as by boiling. The price may seem a little high to some, as it is 450 rubles.

Tommee Tippee Teether Medium Teeth

Pigeon teether toy

Interesting design and shape will interest any child. The product is made in the shape of a flower, the petals of which can be chewed. Silicone, durable material can retain its original appearance for a long time. This product is suitable from 4 months. The toy has a stand.

This product is suitable for the sterilization process. It can also be cooled in the refrigerator for better effect.

The price is 450 rubles.

Teether Pigeon Educational 4+ months. 13069

Teether pacifier Dr. Brown's

This special pacifier can be used from 3 months of age. The product consists of durable, hypoallergenic, environmentally friendly silicone. The corrugated surface of the nipple has a massage effect. This product is best used for children who are used to pacifiers. The teething pacifier has a ring with which the “rodent” can be attached to the baby’s clothes. The nipple tolerates boiling well.

The price is 380 rubles.

Teether Dr. Brown's Orthees transitional

Philips Avent teether Elephant

The elephant shape will appeal to many children. The product is made of heat-resistant, highly environmentally friendly, safe material. The teether has a hole that is very convenient for the baby to hold on to. The product also weighs little, which is suitable for the smallest children. The price is quite high and amounts to 550 rubles.

Philips AVENT Teether Elephant SCF199/00