The first tooth—a milestone celebrated with a photo in many families. But did you know that in Russia and Eastern Europe, there's a beautiful centuries-old custom of honoring this moment with a special gift? The tradition is called "Na zubok" (Na subok): a silver spoon for the first baby tooth. In this article, you'll learn where the custom originates, why silver is such a wise choice, especially during teething, and which spoons are particularly suitable.
The market for "gifts for the first tooth" is still a real niche in German-speaking countries. Most parents are familiar with the christening spoon, but a spoon for the first tooth? That's a tradition we learned from our Eastern European customers—and one that deserves to be known here as well.
«На зубок» — The Russian tradition of the first tooth
“На зубок” – to the tooth
Russian custom: A silver spoon for the first milk tooth — as protection, blessing and first own cutlery.
"На зубок" — literally translated as "to the tooth" or "to the tooth" — is one of the oldest and most vibrant customs in Russian family culture. When a baby's first milk tooth erupts, grandparents or godparents present a silver spoon. This moment marks a transition: the child begins to eat solid food and receives their first set of cutlery.
The custom combines several ideas that are deeply rooted in Russian tradition:
- Protection: Silver has always been considered protective and purifying. A silver spoon in a child's mouth was not superstition—silver actually has antibacterial properties.
- Prosperity: Similar to the English phrase "born with a silver spoon," the silver spoon symbolizes the wish that the child will never suffer want.
- Independence: The spoon is the first tool a child learns to use independently. It symbolizes the beginning of a new phase of life.
To this day, the "Na zobok" spoon is widespread in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. In many families, it is the maternal grandfather who gives the spoon—an honor worn with pride. The spoon is often engraved with the child's first name and the date of their first tooth and is kept for a lifetime.
More than folklore: A custom with a practical core
What distinguishes "Na zobok" from many other traditions is its tangible, practical basis. In times without refrigerators and sterilizers, a silver spoon was the most hygienic utensil one could give an infant. The antibacterial properties of silver—now scientifically proven as the oligodynamic effect—protected the child from germs. Our ancestors knew this instinctively, long before science could explain it.
The first tooth: A milestone in the first year of life
Most babies get their first tooth between 6 and 8 months of age . Some early starters show the first white tip in their lower jaw as early as 4 months, while others take their time until 12 months – both are perfectly normal. Usually, it's the lower incisors that erupt first.
For parents, the arrival of the first tooth is an emotional moment: the toothless baby smile they know so well changes. The child is visibly growing older, more independent. At the same time, the teething phase is often exhausting—for both the baby and the parents. The gums swell, the child drools more, is restless, and wants to chew on everything.
That's precisely why a gift for a baby's first tooth is so fitting: it commemorates a moment that can easily get lost in the hustle and bustle of everyday life with a baby. A silver spoon says: We see this milestone. We're celebrating it with you.
Why a silver spoon for teething? Science meets tradition.
Choosing a silver spoon for a child's first tooth is neither accidental nor purely a matter of tradition. There are solid reasons why silver is a particularly wise material choice during the teething phase.
Antibacterial effect: The oligodynamic effect
Silver ions (Ag⁺) have an antibacterial effect even in minute concentrations. They inhibit the growth of bacteria on surfaces—an effect first scientifically described by the Swiss botanist Carl Wilhelm von Nägeli in 1893. Especially when the first tooth erupts and the gums are sensitive, a silver spoon offers a more hygienic surface than plastic or stainless steel.
Cooling metal soothes the gums.
Silver is an excellent conductor of heat and cold. A slightly chilled silver spoon—briefly kept in the refrigerator—can be gently run over swollen gums. The coolness relieves the pressure and soothes the baby. Unlike plastic teething rings, the silver spoon is also an everyday object that helps introduce the child to eating.
925 Sterling Silver: The right alloy
Pure silver (999 fine silver) would be too soft for a spoon. Therefore, 925 sterling silver consists of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper. This alloy combines the antibacterial properties of silver with the durability a spoon needs for everyday use. All our baby spoons bear the 925 hallmark as proof of quality.
Our recommendation: DoDo spoon for the first tooth
If there's a spoon that's perfectly suited for a first tooth, it's a DoDo spoon . Why? Because the DoDo collection is not only beautiful but also functionally designed – with a well-thought-out concept for promoting early childhood development.
Tactile points in the hollow: Perfect for teething babies
What makes DoDo spoons special are the raised tactile points in the spoon bowl . These gentle bumps stimulate the baby's tongue and promote oral awareness—exactly what a teething baby needs. When the first tooth erupts, the child explores their mouth intensively. A DoDo spoon provides a sensible and safe surface for this exploration.
Join in:
- Colored enamel dots on the handle — high-contrast colors that attract babies' eyes.
- Raised relief points on both sides of the handle — train fine motor skills when gripping.
- Gift box with rainbow design and satin ribbon — ready to give as a gift
Which spoon fits the first tooth?
Are you specifically looking for a spoon as a gift? Here's some guidance:
- DoDo spoon with animal motif (butterfly, elephant, rabbit) — cheerful, colorful, ideal as a first gift
- DoDo spoon with zodiac sign — personalized through the child's zodiac sign, an astrological heirloom
- Classic baby spoons with angel or flower motifs — timelessly elegant when something less colorful is desired.
You can find all models in our baby spoon collection .
Engraving for the first tooth: How to turn a spoon into an heirloom
A silver spoon only becomes truly personal when it bears the child's name. An engraving is especially fitting for the first tooth, capturing this special moment.
- Child's first name
- Date of the first tooth — a detail that most parents remember but don't write down anywhere.
- A short saying — for example: “My first tooth” or “На зубок”
Imagine the child, as an adult, picking up this spoon and reading: "Sophie — March 14, 2026 — My first tooth." This isn't a gift that disappears into a drawer. This is a piece of family history.
You can find all the details about fonts, positions and the ordering process on our engraving service page .
Gifts for the first tooth in other cultures
The idea of celebrating the first tooth with a gift is not limited to Russia — although «На зубок» is probably the best-known and most vibrant tradition.
England: “Cutting teeth” and the silver gift
In Victorian England, it was customary to give a baby a silver gift when its first tooth was cut—often a small spoon or a silver rattle. While the tradition is less common today than the christening spoon, it persists in some families. The English idiom "born with a silver spoon" has one of its origins here.
Germany: On the rise
In Germany, the eruption of the first tooth is traditionally more of a medical than a celebratory event—dental visits, fluoride discussions, teething rings. But that's changing. More and more parents are looking for ways to consciously celebrate the milestones of the first year: the first smile, the first word, the first step—and, of course, the first tooth. A silver spoon as a "На зубок" (first tooth) gift fits perfectly into this trend.
Other cultures
In Turkey, the first tooth is traditionally celebrated with a "Diş buğdayı" (tooth wheat festival), where boiled wheat is served with sweets. Similar celebrations surrounding the first tooth exist in Greece and the Balkans. The basic idea is the same everywhere: the first tooth marks the transition from infancy to childhood, as the child begins to enter the adult world—starting with eating.
First tooth, christening or birth — when is which gift appropriate?
Many grandparents and godparents wonder: Should I give the silver spoon as a gift for the birth, the christening, or the first tooth? The answer is simple — it depends on the tradition you wish to follow.
- For a newborn: A baby gift says "Welcome to the world." Gift sets with a spoon and rattle are popular.
- For the baptism: A baptismal gift is a Christian tradition and is presented by the godparent. Often it is an engraved spoon with the baptism date.
- For the first tooth (На зубок): The most personal timing — because it depends on the child, not the calendar. Often the grandparents give it as a gift.
Of course, you can also use them for multiple occasions: one spoon for birth, one for the first tooth, one for christening. In Russian families, it's not unusual for a child to grow up with two or three silver spoons—each with its own engraving and its own story.
Frequently asked questions about gifts for the first tooth
What do you give as a gift for a first tooth?
The traditional gift for a baby's first tooth is a silver spoon. In the Russian tradition of "Na zobok," grandparents or godparents present a spoon made of 925 sterling silver—as a symbol of protection, prosperity, and the child's first piece of cutlery. Engraved baby spoons (name and date of the first tooth) are especially popular. Dodo spoons with tactile dots are particularly suitable, as they stimulate the oral perception of teething babies. Prices start from €179.95.
Why do people give a silver spoon as a gift for a first tooth?
The silver spoon combines symbolism and function: silver has antibacterial properties (oligodynamic effect) and protects sensitive gums from germs. Slightly chilled, it can even soothe swollen gums. Symbolically, the silver spoon represents the wish that the child will never suffer want. In Russia and Eastern Europe, this custom has been practiced for centuries—it is called "На зубок" (Silver spoon) and is still alive today.
What does На зубок (Na subok) mean?
"На зубок" is Russian and literally means "to the tooth" or "to the tooth." It refers to the custom of giving a baby a silver spoon when their first milk tooth erupts. Traditionally, it is the grandparents' (especially the maternal grandfather's) responsibility to present this gift. The spoon is often engraved with the child's name and the date. The custom remains widespread in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus.
At what age does a baby get its first tooth?
Most babies get their first tooth between 6 and 8 months of age. However, it can also happen much earlier (from 4 months) or later (up to 12 months) – both are perfectly normal. Usually, the lower central incisors erupt first. By their third birthday, a child typically has all 20 baby teeth.
Is a silver spoon safe for babies?
Yes — 925 sterling silver is a safe and hygienic material for baby cutlery. Silver has natural antibacterial properties: silver ions inhibit the growth of bacteria on the surface. Unlike plastic, silver is free of plasticizers and BPA. A silver spoon is durable, easy to clean, and can last for generations. It's not just a gift, but a practical item that can accompany a child from their first solid food into adulthood.
На зубок — Discover our baby spoons made of 925 sterling silver
Whether it's the DoDo spoon with tactile dots for teething babies, the classic version with a zodiac sign, or one with a personal engraving to commemorate the first tooth—find the spoon that preserves this milestone in silver. From €179.95.
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