Although there are several materials that can be used to make teethers, rubber or plastic are the most widely used materials. Babies may be at risk for several safety issues when using these teethers. BPA is a dangerous chemical that may be found in plastic and has been connected to a number of health issues in both adults and children.
After testing fifty baby teethers, US researchers discovered that all of them contained endocrine-disrupting chemicals, including bisphenol-A (BPA). The investigation discovered that even though the majority of the teethers were marketed as non-toxic or BPA-free, they all contained BPA. In the US and most of Europe, BPA is prohibited from drinking utensils intended for children. Additionally, rubber teethers might be dangerous.
Is the Teether Safe Enough for the baby?
Rubber teethers may contain chemicals that are dangerous for your infant to swallow, which makes them another potential safety risk. Even though rubber teethers are composed of latex and are thought to be safer with less health risk, rubber has drawbacks of its own. The main one is latex allergies, which ultimately only affect a small portion of the baby population.
Parents have a plethora of options when it comes to teething. There are teething cookies, frozen washcloths, and even teething necklaces that parents can wear.
Conventional teethers are constructed of rubber or plastic. However, it can be challenging to determine which teether is ideal for your baby when there are so many options available. Additionally, you want to make sure that the teether you select for your child is both safe and effective in terms of safety. Let’s first examine the issues surrounding teethers before looking into safer alternatives.
Is Liquid Filled Silicone Teether Safe?
A teether that is filled with liquid is another kind that you can encounter. These teethers are frequently filled with water, gel, or even juice. They can be constructed of rubber, plastic, or silicone. Because liquid-filled teethers can leak liquid out and into your baby’s mouth, they can be a choking hazard. Your baby could choke on the teether if it sucks on it and gets a mouthful of liquid. Furthermore, if the teether is composed of plastic or rubber, chemicals may seep into the drink, which your child would then swallow.
Baby silicone teethers are safe and can be one of the best products you buy for your teething child. Here are some reasons to think about getting silicone teethers:
- It’s safe and soft to chew on repeatedly to soothe your baby’s gums;
- It’s easy to clean; The variety of textures and shapes help your baby learn;
- It can help improve fine motor skills, spatial awareness, and grip strength;
- It’s highly entertaining; Babies love silicone teethers;
- It’s easy to travel with, put in a diaper bag.
Silicone Teethers and It’s Everyday Benefits
If you’re a parent, you probably already know that teething begins at six months of age. Throughout this period, babies will slobber a lot and try to put anything in their mouths to ease the pain of their developing teeth. You have to take extra care about what the baby puts in their mouths to protect them from any danger. Teethers are a safe and chewable way to help newborns with their teething discomfort, so that’s when they come in handy.
Why do Babies Love Silicone Teethers?
Teething is favored by babies for a variety of reasons. They relieve the pain associated with teething, which is one of the primary causes. Teething can be uncomfortable for babies, but it can be less so if they chew on a teether, which massages their gums. Teethers are also favored by babies since they aid in the development of their oral motor abilities. The muscles in the jaw and tongue are strengthened by chewing on a teether, which is beneficial for the development of speech.
The Process of Curing Silicone Products
Compression molding is a silicone product curing method. A heated tool mold will be filled with the uncured silicone compound. With the help of a compression molding machine’s high-temperature vulcanizing system, the silicone will be heated to a high temperature and pressure in order to produce its final shape. After an “initial” cure, silicone products already possess the mechanical and physical characteristics of the finished product. The amount of volatile components that can be found in the cured component is limited by industry or market criteria related to safety, the environment, and regulations. For instance, post-curing is frequently required to eliminate or reduce the total amount of contaminants in baby care items, food and beverage contact applications, and medical parts in order to pass the corresponding tests or fulfill regulatory criteria.
Post-curing, also known as “after cure,” is the process of heating silicone products that have undergone preliminary curing in an oven for a predetermined length of time at a specific temperature. While the duration and temperature might change, two hours at 200°C is the typical setting. Once the post-cure is complete, the volatile byproducts can be eliminated. Post-curing is frequently used for some silicone teethers that need to pass stringent testing, including the LFGB tests, since it helps stabilize the silicone and help standardize the final goods. It is possible to create silicone teethers in compliance with regulations, ensuring their safety for infants, from raw material control to cure process management.
How to Pick a Suitable Silicone Teether for Your Baby
Your baby’s safety should always come first.
- Steer clear of teethers with choking dangers. Look for teethers that, even after a few usage, are composed of durable silicone.
- Select silicone teethers that are simple for your child to hold. Because newborns go through different stages of teething at different ages, pay heed to the age recommended.
- It will be simpler to get their attention with silicone teethers that provide auditory or visual stimulation.
- Your baby’s inflamed gums will feel less pain when using silicone teethers with rich textures that soothe the gums.
- Choose silicone teething toys for babies that are easy to sanitize and clean.
- One thing to think about is the cost. Teethers are generally reasonably priced, though some brands might be significantly more expensive than others.
How to Clean Silicone Teethers
It’s always possible for baby teethers to end up on strollers, floors, beds, or even in the mouths of animals. Since silicone teething toys are placed in babies’ mouths on a regular basis, cleanliness and safety are crucial, thus it’s necessary to clean them as often as you can to maintain them sterile.
Make sure the teether is completely clean before giving it to your baby when you purchase a new silicone one that you are confident is safe for them to chew on. Dishwasher safe and antibacterial is silicone. The silicone teethers can be put in the dishwasher or cleaned completely in warm, soapy water.
Fungi are likely to develop inside any toy that becomes wet from gnawing so hot water and sterilization too is key.
CONCLUSION
It is a well-known truth that silicone teethers are of higher quality than wooden teethers, despite the fact that they are fairly similar to each other and are challenging to distinguish between. Compared to wooden teethers, silicone teethers are relatively easier to clean and safe to put in the dishwasher. To make wooden teethers, trees must be cut down, which is not a sustainable practice. Overall, it can be concluded that silicone teethers are superior to wooden teethers in terms of quality, sustainability, and usability.