FDA Warns Against Baby Orajel and Teething Gels

Keep reaching for Sophie the giraffe or your baby's other favorite teether. The FDA has issued another warning against teething-relief gels, sprays, and liquids containing benzocaine, such as Baby Orajel.

The FDA has been wary of benzocaine products for babies since 2006. Last year, the FDA issued a warning stating that benzocaine can cause methemoglobinemia, a serious and potentially deadly adverse effect that dangerously lowers blood-oxygen levels. They said that the products should not be used in kids under age 2 without consulting a pediatrician, and they should be stored out of kids' reach.

This latest warning carries some scary statistics: there have been almost 30 benzocaine gel-related cases of methemoglobinemia in the past five years -- 19 of them were in children, and 15 of those 19 cases were in children under age 2.

So keep using those tried-and-true methods for teething relief: let your poor little baby chew away at his favorite teething toy, his fist, or his crib rail!

What is your child's favorite way to ease teething pain? Please share!

Check out our other tips on teething and dental care for tots.

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