Biologic response teether

A biologic response teether, comprising:

• a generally oval shaped shield with a major axis, a minor axis, two opposing sides, a top and a bottom that lie on the minor axis, and first and second lateral shield ends that lie in a plane with the major axis;
• a first bite portion projecting from one side of the shield and comprising an elongated first stem coupled to the shield, the first stem having a distal end spaced farthest from the shield, and a first cross-member coupled to the distal end of the first stem and transverse to the first stem, the first cross-member comprising first and second, first cross-member ends, wherein the first stem has two opposing sides and the first and second, first cross-member ends are on opposite sides of the first stem, wherein the first and second, first cross-member ends lie along a curve that is adapted to follow a dental arch of a child, and wherein the first, first cross-member end is closer to the shield than is the second, first cross-member end, such that the first and second, first cross-member ends are adapted to lie along a gum ridge of the child;
• and
• a second bite portion projecting from the opposing side of the shield from the first bite portion and comprising an elongated second stem coupled to the shield, the second stem having a distal end spaced farthest from the shield, and a second cross-member coupled to the distal end of the second stem and transverse to the second stem, the second cross-member comprising first and second, second cross-member ends, wherein the second stem has two opposing sides and the first and second, second cross-member ends are on opposite sides of the second stem, wherein the first and second, second cross-member ends lie along a curve that is adapted to follow a dental arch of a child, and wherein the first, second cross-member end is closer to the shield than is the second, second cross-member end, such that the first and second, second cross-member ends are adapted to lie along a gum ridge of the child;
• wherein a cross-sectional plane through the first and second, first cross-member ends and the first stem is co-planar with the shield major axis;
• wherein a cross-sectional plane through the first and second, second cross-member ends and the second stem is co-planar with the shield major axis;
• wherein the shield is curved along the shield major axis, with the first lateral shield end curved toward the first bite portion and away from the second bite portion, and the second lateral shield end curved away from the first bite portion and toward the second bite portion, such that the first lateral shield end is closer to the first bite portion than is the second lateral shield end and the second lateral shield end is closer to the second bite portion than is the first lateral shield end, to allow the child to manipulate the teether such that the first and second bite portions are adapted to reach anterior and posterior gums and teeth;
• wherein the first, first cross-member end is shorter along the shield major axis than is the second, first cross-member end, and wherein the first, second cross-member end is shorter along the shield major axis than is the second, second cross-member end;
• wherein the first cross-member ends of both the first and second cross-members are closer to the shield than are the second cross-member ends of both the first and second cross-members;
• wherein the first bite portion defines three spaced bulbous portions separated by two valleys, where a first bulbous portion makes up most of one first cross-member end and a second bulbous portion makes up most of the other first cross-member end;
• wherein the bulbous portions and valleys form a series of peaks and valleys that have radii of curvature of approximately 4-5 mm and angles that range from 15-40 degrees;
• wherein the second cross-member has a generally flat face and defines a plateau that covers most of the face, wherein the plateau comprises a raised flat surface and angled sidewalls that connect the raised flat surface to the generally flat face;
• and
• wherein the first bite portion is made from a single relatively hard material, and wherein the second bite portion is made from a relatively hard inner core at least partially covered by a softer outer layer.

A biologic response teether, comprising:

• a generally oval shaped shield with a major axis, a minor axis, two opposing sides, a top and a bottom that lie on the minor axis, and first and second lateral shield ends that lie in a plane with the major axis;
• and
• a first bite portion projecting from one side of the shield and comprising an elongated first stem coupled to the shield, the first stem having a distal end spaced farthest from the shield, and a first cross-member coupled to the distal end of the first stem and transverse to the first stem, the first cross-member comprising two first cross-member ends, wherein the first stem has two opposing sides and the first cross-member ends are on opposite sides of the first stem;
• wherein the shield is curved along the shield major axis, with the first lateral shield end curved toward the first bite portion and the second lateral shield end curved away from the first bite portion, such that the first lateral shield end is closer to the first bite portion than is the second lateral shield end, to allow the child to manipulate the teether to reach anterior and posterior gums and teeth;
• wherein the shield comprises a planar central section with a flat surface from which the first bite portion projects, wherein the first lateral shield end has a length from the planar central section to a distal end of the first lateral shield end, wherein the entire length of the first lateral shield end is angled away from the planar central section, and wherein the second lateral shield end has a length from the planar central section to a distal end of the second lateral shield end, wherein the entire length of the second lateral shield end is angled away from the planar central section.