How to Clean Teethers That Go in a Babies Mouth

Teething is a tough time for both you and your baby. Erupting teeth can make your baby cry, suffer from pain and even get a mild fever. Teething toys are essential tools that can help ease your baby's discomfort -- allowing her to chew or rub her sore gums against a solid object. However, these toys typically spend more time on the floor than in your baby's mouth. Without proper cleaning, dirty teething toys can transfer harmful bacteria and other microbes into your baby's mouth. Keep your baby's teethers clean with few simple steps.

Things You'll Need

  • Mild soap or dish detergent

Instructions

    • 1

      Wash teething toys before the first use, with hot water and soap or other dish detergent. Rinse well to ensure all soap is removed before giving the toy to your baby. If recommended by the product label, disinfect the toy by submerging it into boiling water.

    • 2

      Clean all teething toys regularly by hand washing with soap and water or washing in the dishwasher -- if permitted on the product label. Also rinse the teether with hot water after every use.

    • 3

      Rinse a teething toy that your baby dropped onto the floor with hot water, and return it to her. If the toy has been in contact with the floor for a longer period of time or the floor is dirty, use soap and hot water to clean it.

    • 4

      Clean a teether that has been in contact with the ground or a floor in a public place by scrubbing with soap and hot water for at least 30 seconds. Or wash the teether in a dishwasher.

    • 5

      Soak a teething toy into a bowl with equal parts vinegar and water, to prevent fungal growth. Repeat once or twice a week, or as needed. Consider disinfecting teething toys regularly by submerging teethers into boiling water for five minutes. Do this only with teething toys that can stand the boiling water. Let the toy cool fully before giving it to your baby.

    • 6

      Carry an extra teething toy with you. This is helpful in case you or your baby drops a teether and you don't have a place nearby to wash it.

    2. Previous:

    Next:

    • Can Drooling Make a Baby Cough & Gag?
      Babies are cute, even when they have drool creeping out of the corner of their mouths. But when your baby is coughing and gagging, it is less cute and far more troubling. Drool, which is usually a symptom of teething, can cause coughing and gagging i
    • Teething Necklaces and Beads: A Caution for Parents
      ​​​​​When parents see their baby suffering, they just want a solution. Teething necklaces and beads have become an increasing popular alternative treatment to ease teething pain. But, are they effective and safe? The answer is no. The Food
    • Do worms in kids cause teeth gritting their sleep?
      The idea that worms in children cause teeth grinding (bruxism) is a myth. Heres why:* No scientific evidence: Theres no scientific basis to support this connection. Bruxism has many possible causes, none of which include intestinal parasites like wor