Gifts for the first tooth — The Russian «На зубок» tradition and the most beautiful silver spoons

The first tooth — a milestone celebrated in many families with a photo. But did you know that in Russia and Eastern Europe, there has been a beautiful custom for centuries of honoring this moment with a special gift? "На зубок" (Na subok) is the name of this tradition: a silver spoon for the first baby tooth. In this article, you will learn where the custom comes from, why silver is such a clever choice for teething — and which spoons are particularly suitable.

The market for "first-tooth gifts" is still a real niche in German-speaking countries. Most parents know about the christening spoon, but the first-tooth spoon? That is a tradition we learned from our Eastern European customers — and one that deserves to become well-known here as well.

«На зубок» — The Russian tradition for the first tooth

«На зубок» — literally translated as "for the little tooth" or "on the tooth" — is one of the oldest and most vibrant customs in Russian family culture. When a baby’s first tooth breaks through the gums, grandparents or godparents present a silver spoon. The moment marks a transition: the child begins to eat solid food and receives their first personal piece of cutlery.

The custom combines several concepts that are deeply rooted in Russian tradition:

• Protection: Silver has always been considered a protective metal. The silver spoon in the child's mouth symbolized the wish for them to grow up safe and guarded.
• Prosperity: Similar to the English expression "born with a silver spoon," the silver spoon symbolizes the wish that the child will never suffer from lack.
• Independence: The spoon is the first tool a child learns to use on their own. It represents the beginning of a new chapter in life.

To this day, "На зубок" is widespread in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. In many families, it is the maternal grandfather who gifts the spoon — an honor worn with pride. The spoon is often engraved with the child's first name and the date of the first tooth, and kept for a lifetime.

More than folklore: A custom with a practical core

What distinguishes "На зубок" from many other traditions is that it has a tangible, practical background. In times before refrigerators and sterilizers, a silver spoon was the usual cutlery for an infant: solid, smooth, and without any coating that could peel off.

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 the lower jaw as early as 4 months, while others wait until they are 12 months old — both are completely normal. As a rule, it is the lower incisors that break through first.

For parents, the first tooth is an emotional moment: the toothless baby smile they know so well changes. The child is visibly growing older and more independent. At the same time, the teething phase is often exhausting — for the baby and the parents. The gums swell, the child drools more, is restless, and wants to chew on everything.

This is exactly why a first-tooth gift is so fitting: it honors a moment that can easily be overlooked in the hustle and bustle of daily life with a baby. A silver spoon says: We see this milestone. We are celebrating it with you.

Why a silver spoon for teething? Tradition and material

Choosing a silver spoon for the first tooth is no coincidence or mere folklore. The silver spoon has been part of this day for generations.

Smooth surface without coating

Solid silver has no coating that could chip off, unlike printed or coated children's cutlery. After use, you clean the spoon by hand with mild dish soap and dry it with a soft cloth.

925 Sterling Silver: The right alloy

Fine silver (999) would be too soft for a spoon. That is why it is alloyed: 925 Sterling Silver consists of 92.5% silver. This alloy combines the luster of silver with the stability that a spoon needs for daily use. All of our baby spoons bear the 925 hallmark as proof of quality.

Our recommendation: DoDo spoons for the first tooth

If there is a spoon that seems made for the first tooth, it is a DoDo spoon. Why? Because the DoDo collection is not only beautiful but also functionally designed — with a well-thought-out developmental concept for early childhood.

Tactile dots in the bowl: Perfect for teething babies

What makes DoDo spoons special are the raised tactile dots in the spoon bowl. These gentle bumps stimulate the baby’s tongue and promote oral perception — exactly what a teething baby needs. When the first tooth breaks through, the child explores their oral cavity intensely. A DoDo spoon offers a smooth surface for this.

In addition, there are:

• Colored enamel dots on the handle — high-contrast colors that respond to baby eyes
• Raised relief dots on both sides of the handle — trains fine motor skills during gripping
• Gift box with rainbow design and satin ribbon — ready to gift immediately

Which spoon suits the first tooth?

Are you looking specifically for a spoon as a "На зубок" gift? Here is a guide:

• DoDo spoon with animal motif (butterfly, elephant, bunny) — cheerful, colorful, ideal as a first gift
• DoDo spoon with zodiac sign — personalized by the child’s star sign, an astrological heirloom
• Classic baby spoons with angel or blossom motif — timelessly elegant, if you prefer something less colorful

You can find all models in our baby spoon collection.

Engraving for the first tooth: Making the spoon an heirloom

A silver spoon only becomes truly personal when it bears the child's name. Especially for the first tooth, an engraving that captures this special moment is a wonderful idea:

• Child's first name
• Date of the first tooth — a detail that most parents remember but never record anywhere
• A short phrase — for example: "My first tooth" or "На зубок"

Imagine the child as an adult holding this spoon in their hand and reading: "Sophie — 14.03.2026 — My first tooth". That is not a gift that disappears into a drawer. That is a piece of family history.

All details regarding fonts, positioning, and the ordering process can be found 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 — even though "На зубок" is arguably the best-known and most vibrant tradition.

England: "Cutting teeth" and the silver gift

In England during the Victorian era, it was common to present a baby with a silver gift for the "cutting of the first tooth" — often a small spoon or a silver rattle. The tradition is less common there today than the christening spoon, but it lives on in some families. The English idiom "born with a silver spoon" has one of its origins here.

Germany: On the rise

In Germany, the first tooth is traditionally more of a medical event than a celebratory one — dentist visits, fluoride discussions, teething rings. But that is changing. More and more parents are looking for ways to consciously celebrate milestones in the first year of life: the first smile, the first word, the first step — and, of course, the first tooth. A silver spoon as a "На зубок" 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. In Greece and the Balkans, there are similar celebrations surrounding the first tooth. The basic idea is the same everywhere: the first tooth marks the transition from infant to child, beginning to enter the adult world — starting with food.

First tooth, christening, or birth — When does which gift fit?

Many grandparents and godparents wonder: Should I give the silver spoon for the birth, the christening, or the first tooth? The answer is simple — it depends on the tradition you wish to follow:

• For birth: A birth gift says "Welcome to the world." Popular options include gift sets with a spoon and rattle.
• For christening: A christening gift is rooted in Christian tradition and is presented by the godparents. Often an engraved spoon with the christening date.
• For the first tooth (На зубок): The most personal timing — because it is based on the child, not the calendar. Often gifted by grandparents.

Of course, you can also use several occasions: one spoon for the birth, one for the first tooth, one for the christening. In Russian families, it is not unusual for a child to grow up with two or three silver spoons — each with its own engraving and story.

Frequently asked questions about first-tooth gifts

What do you give for the first tooth?
The traditional gift for the first tooth is a silver spoon. In the Russian tradition "На зубок," grandparents or godparents present a spoon made of 925 Sterling Silver — as a symbol of protection, prosperity, and as the child's first piece of personal cutlery. Baby spoons with an engraving (name + date of the first tooth) are particularly popular. DoDo spoons with tactile dots are especially suitable, as they promote oral perception in teething babies.

Why do you give a silver spoon for the first tooth?
The silver spoon combines symbolism and practicality: it has a pleasant weight in the hand. Symbolically, the silver spoon stands for the wish that the child never suffers from lack. In Russia and Eastern Europe, this custom has been practiced for centuries — it is called "На зубок" and remains alive to this day.

What does На зубок (Na subok) mean?
"На зубок" is Russian and literally means "for the little tooth" or "on the tooth." It refers to the custom of gifting a baby a silver spoon when their first tooth breaks through. Traditionally, it is the task of the grandparents (especially the maternal grandfather) to present this gift. The spoon is often engraved with the child's name and the date. The custom is still widespread in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus.

When does a baby get their first tooth?
Most babies get their first tooth between the 6th and 8th month of life. However, it can happen much earlier (starting at 4 months) or later (up to 12 months) — both are completely normal. As a rule, the lower central incisors break through first. A child usually has all 20 baby teeth by their 3rd birthday.

Is a silver spoon good for babies?
Yes — 925 Sterling Silver is a proven material for baby cutlery: flavor-neutral and with a smooth surface. A silver spoon is durable, easy to clean, and can last for generations. It is not just a gift, but an everyday object that can accompany the child from their first spoonful of porridge into adulthood.