Benefits of a Teething Ring

The teething ring is probably the oldest and most popular of all teething relief options. The very first recorded use of this remedy is found on Sumerian sandstone tablets that are at least three thousand years old. Ancient Egyptians even practiced a tradition of using rings with the head of Bes – the god of child welfare – inscribed.

There is even a legend that during the late 1600s in Vienna, Austria, bagels were sanctioned as gifts for women in childbirth and even listed in community registers. The women then used the bagels as healthy options to relieve the pain of teething. This practice is still quite popular today.

Even the common phrase “born with a silver spoon in his mouth” draws its origin from teething. During the nineteenth century, well-off parents tended to use a silver spoon to ease their baby’s discomfort. It was also in the middle of this century when the first rubber teething ring came to be. Within a few years, rubber became the new favorite and has largely replaced materials like ivory, coral and bread crust.

Why are these rings very popular? What benefits do babies get from them that make moms so eager to purchase them? Research shows that mothers prefer the ring over any other teething remedy for a number of reasons. First, they are mostly free of harmful chemicals, unlike many of the teething gels on the market. Second, it is better than biscuits because it does not put the baby at risk of ingesting too much sugar or any other unnecessary and unhealthy food stuff.

These rings also come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, color and design so you can surely choose one that your baby likes. Of course, in order to get maximum benefit from this remedy, you will have to take the proper care of it. Here are some dos and don’ts that you can follow.

You can cool a teething ring in the refrigerator, but be careful never to freeze it since this may cause breakage. Wash the ring thoroughly after every use, but never boil them. If the ring gets damaged in any way, throw it away at once and buy a new one. Damaged rings are health hazards in more ways than one.