THE RISKS OF TEETHING BRACELETS, NECKLACES AND OTHER JEWELRY Teething jewelry includes necklaces, bracelets, and other jewelry worn by either an adult or child, used by parents and caregivers, marketed to relieve an infant's teething pain. It may also be marketed for use by people with special needs, such as autism or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, to provide sensory stimulation or redirect chewing on clothes or body parts. The beads of the jewelry may be made with various materials such as amber, wood, marble, or silicone. Jewelry marketed for teething is not the same as teething rings or teethers, which are made of hard plastic or rubber and not wearable by an adult or child. There are serious risks associated with using jewelry marketed for relieving teething pain - choking, strangulation, injury to the mouth, and infection among them. Other concerns include potential injury to the mouth or infection if a piece of the jewelry irritates or pierces the child's gums. WHAT YOU CAN DO TO EASE TEETHING PAIN If your child's gums are swollen and tender, gently rub or massage the gums with your finger, or give your child a teething ring made of firm rubber to chew. Make sure the teething ring is not frozen. If the object is too hard, it can hurt your child's gums. Parents should supervise their children so they don't accidentally choke on the teething ring. Parents and caregivers of children with special needs who may require sensory stimulation should talk to their child's health care provider about safer options and treatment. The use of jewelry marketed for relieving teething pain and to provide sensory stimulation carries too many risks. Presented as a service to the community by Dr. Barbara Webster 1121 Warren Ave., Suite 130, Downers Grove, IL 60515 630-663-0554 SM-CL 1817832 THE RISKS OF TEETHING BRACELETS, NECKLACES AND OTHER JEWELRY Teething jewelry includes necklaces, bracelets, and other jewelry worn by either an adult or child, used by parents and caregivers, marketed to relieve an infant's teething pain. It may also be marketed for use by people with special needs, such as autism or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, to provide sensory stimulation or redirect chewing on clothes or body parts. The beads of the jewelry may be made with various materials such as amber, wood, marble, or silicone. Jewelry marketed for teething is not the same as teething rings or teethers, which are made of hard plastic or rubber and not wearable by an adult or child. There are serious risks associated with using jewelry marketed for relieving teething pain - choking, strangulation, injury to the mouth, and infection among them. Other concerns include potential injury to the mouth or infection if a piece of the jewelry irritates or pierces the child's gums. WHAT YOU CAN DO TO EASE TEETHING PAIN If your child's gums are swollen and tender, gently rub or massage the gums with your finger, or give your child a teething ring made of firm rubber to chew. Make sure the teething ring is not frozen. If the object is too hard, it can hurt your child's gums. Parents should supervise their children so they don't accidentally choke on the teething ring. Parents and caregivers of children with special needs who may require sensory stimulation should talk to their child's health care provider about safer options and treatment. The use of jewelry marketed for relieving teething pain and to provide sensory stimulation carries too many risks. Presented as a service to the community by Dr. Barbara Webster 1121 Warren Ave., Suite 130, Downers Grove, IL 60515 630-663-0554 SM-CL 1817832