17 Best Baby Teethers and Teething Toys, According to a Dentist

Teething is the worst. There, I said it. It turns your sweet, cuddly baby into a drooling, cranky, sleep-fighting mystery. And you’re left desperately trying to find something—anything—that will give them a moment of relief.

I’ve been there with both of my kids, and my house has a teether graveyard to prove it. We’ve tested dozens. To cut through the noise for 2026, I also talked with Dr. Eva Chen, a pediatric dentist, to get her take on what actually helps soothe sore gums and what’s just junk.

 

 

Best All-Around Teethers

Itzy Ritzy Silicone Teething Mitt

This little mitten was a lifesaver when my youngest started teething early, before she had the grip strength to hold a traditional teether. You just slide it on her hand and secure the velcro strap. She could chew away without dropping it every five seconds.

The top is made of food-grade silicone with lots of textures, and the crinkle sound of the mitt itself kept her entertained. Dr. Chen likes that it prevents babies from chewing on their own fingers, which can introduce extra germs. It’s also machine washable, which is a huge plus.

 

 

Comotomo Silicone Baby Teether

This teether looks simple, but it’s brilliantly designed. The four little nubs are perfectly sized for a baby’s mouth and mimic the feeling of little fingers. My son loved this one because he could hold it easily from any angle and get it right where he needed it.

It’s made from a single piece of soft, hygienic silicone, so there are no cracks for gunk to hide in. Dr. Chen pointed out that the soft-yet-firm material is great for providing gentle counterpressure on swollen gums without being too aggressive.

 

 

The Baby Banana Infant Toothbrush

Part teether, part starter toothbrush. The soft silicone bristles feel amazing on irritated gums, and the peel handles make it super easy for clumsy baby hands to hold. We started using this around 4 months, and it helped my daughter get used to the feeling of a toothbrush long before she had any actual teeth to brush.

Dr. Chen recommends this one often. She says it not only soothes but also helps clean the gums and promotes good oral habits from day one. Just make sure you get the infant version; the toddler one is a bit bigger and firmer.

 

 

Best Teethers for Molars

The Molar Magician

When those back molars start coming in, you need a tool that can actually reach them. The Molar Magician’s unique shape does exactly that. The little arms are long enough to get to the very back of the mouth without posing a choking hazard.

My toddler, who is usually picky, took to this immediately. Dr. Chen approved of the design, noting that the flexible material and textured surfaces are ideal for the intense pressure molars require. It’s a targeted tool for a tough job.

 

 

Baby Elefun Elephant Teether

This was another molar champion in our house. The elephant’s legs are the perfect shape and length for reaching those painful back gums. It’s made from one solid piece of food-grade silicone, so it’s durable and easy to wash.

What I love is that it’s cute and functional. The ring shape of the body is easy for babies to grab. It’s a bit firmer than some other teethers, which provides the solid resistance needed for those big, stubborn molars.

 

 

Best Teethers That Get Cold

Nuby IcyBite Keys

An oldie but a goodie. These keys have been around forever for a reason. You pop them in the fridge (never the freezer!) and the PurICE gel inside stays cool longer than water-filled teethers. The cold provides numbing relief that my son desperately needed on bad days.

Dr. Chen cautions against freezing any teether, as it can become too hard and damage a baby’s delicate gums. The cool relief from the fridge is much safer. The different textures on each key also provide varied sensory input.

 

 

Dr. Brown’s Cool-a-Bulls Water-Filled Teether

This little cow is great because it’s small enough for little mouths and cools down quickly in the refrigerator. The water filling holds the cold well, offering soothing comfort for hot, inflamed gums. My daughter liked chewing on the cow’s horns and ears.

It’s easy to clean, and because it’s filled with sterilized water, you don’t have to worry about weird gels. This is a solid, straightforward choice when your baby just needs that cooling sensation.

 

 

Best Natural Teethers

Sophie la Girafe

Yes, it’s expensive. And yes, it’s worth it. Sophie is made from 100% natural rubber and painted with food-grade paint. There’s something about the soft, squeaky rubber that babies just love. Both my kids were obsessed with chewing on her long legs and neck.

The shape is perfect for reaching different parts of the mouth, and it’s incredibly lightweight. The only downside is the cleaning—you can only wipe it with a damp cloth. Do not submerge or sterilize it, or water will get in the squeaker hole and create a mold risk.

 

 

Homi Baby Wooden Teether Ring

For parents who prefer to avoid plastics and silicones, a simple wooden teether is a great option. We loved this one from Homi Baby, made from smooth, unfinished maple wood. Wood has natural antimicrobial properties and offers a very firm surface for babies who need a lot of pressure.

Dr. Chen agrees that hard maple or beech wood is a safe choice, as long as it’s not treated with unknown oils or finishes. The firmness is excellent for jaw development. This one is simple, effective, and beautiful.

 

 

Best Multipurpose Teething Toys

Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle & Teether

This thing is a classic for a reason. The maze of soft, pliable tubes is perfect for teething, and the mesmerizing design is easy for even the tiniest infants to grab and hold. The quiet rattle in the center cube adds a gentle sensory element without being annoying.

My son would wave this around for ages, stopping to chew on a loop whenever his gums flared up. It’s lightweight and durable. We threw it in the diaper bag for every outing for a solid year.

 

 

NatureBond Baby Food Feeder

This is a teether and a snack dispenser in one. You can fill the soft silicone pouch with frozen fruit, breast milk popsicles, or even frozen peas. Your baby gets the cold, soothing relief on their gums while also getting a little taste of food.

We used this constantly with frozen mango and banana chunks. It was messy, yes, but it kept my daughter happy and occupied for a long time. It’s a great way to introduce solids while simultaneously fighting teething pain.

 

 

RaZbaby RaZ-berry Teether

This teether looks just like a pacifier, which makes it an easy transition for many babies. The bumpy texture of the “berry” part is fantastic for massaging gums. My daughter, who loved her pacifier, took to this immediately.

It’s made from a single piece of silicone, so it’s safe and easy to clean. You can also pop it in the fridge for a little extra cooling comfort. It’s especially good for front teeth.

 

 

More Great Teethers We Tested

Loulou Lollipop Trinity Teether

This teether combines a beechwood ring with two food-grade silicone rings. It offers the best of both worlds: the firm pressure of wood and the chewy give of silicone. The different textures and materials kept my baby engaged.

I loved the aesthetic of this one, and my daughter loved shaking it to hear the rings clack together. It’s a teether that doubles as a beautiful rattle.

 

 

Moonjax Silicone Teether

The genius of the Moonjax is its shape. It looks like a plus sign or a satellite, and it was designed by a mom to be easy to hold and impossible to gag on. The shape prevents the baby from putting it too far back in their mouth.

It’s made in the USA from medical-grade silicone and is dishwasher safe. It has a soft, velvety texture that my son seemed to really like. A great, safe option for independent chewers.

 

 

Haakaa Silicone Palm Teether

Haakaa makes great baby products, and this teether is no exception. It’s shaped to fit a baby’s hand and has five different textured “fingers” for them to chew on. Each one feels a little different, providing lots of sensory exploration.

It’s made from one piece of silicone, so it’s a breeze to clean. My daughter enjoyed the feeling of the soft bristles, which are similar to the Baby Banana but in a different format.

 

 

Nuby Silicone Teethe-eez

This is a fantastic budget option that works really well. It has a fish shape with a tail that’s perfect for reaching molars, and the various textures (including bristles) provide a lot of relief. It even comes with a handy carrying case to keep it clean in the diaper bag.

For the price, you can’t beat it. We kept one in the car and one at grandma’s house. It’s simple, effective, and affordable enough to have multiples.

 

 

Malarkey Kids Chew Cube

This is a rattle, a sensory toy, and a teether all in one. Each side of the soft cube has a different texture or feature, including crinkly fabric, a mirror, and soft silicone corners specifically for chewing. The black and white patterns are also great for infant visual development.

It kept my son occupied in his car seat for ages. He’d shake it, stare at the patterns, and then inevitably bring a corner up to his mouth to gnaw on. It’s a great all-in-one toy for babies 3-6 months old.

 

 

What to Look For in a Baby Teether

After testing all these products and speaking with Dr. Chen, a few key things stood out. Safety is number one. Look for teethers made from a single, solid piece of material like 100% food-grade silicone, natural rubber, or unfinished hardwood. This eliminates the risk of pieces breaking off.

Texture is also huge. Babies crave different sensations on their sore gums. A good teether will have a mix of bumps, ridges, and bristles to provide varied pressure and relief. And think about reach—if those back molars are coming in, you need a teether with arms or extensions that can get back there safely.

Finally, avoid the fads. Dr. Chen was very clear that amber teething necklaces are a strangulation and choking hazard and have no scientific backing. Also, skip any teether with small, attached parts or liquid fillings that could burst. The simplest designs are often the safest and most effective.