Cool gums with chilled items

Chill teething rings, pacifiers, or wet washcloths in the refrigerator. Do not freeze them. These chilled items can soothe a baby's gums. To help prevent cavities, don't dip these items in sugary substances. While your baby chews these items, watch to make sure your baby doesn't choke.

If your baby is older than age 1, you can offer a chilled piece of soft fruit such as a banana or chilled berries in a small mesh teether. But do not use hard foods that could cause choking.

Also do not use ice or frozen pops because these can cause frostbite of the gums. Make sure any teething rings are filled with distilled water instead of gel in case your baby's new teeth put a hole in a ring.