FDA Warns Parents Of Teething Infants To Avoid Gel Medications
DETROIT (WWJ) - It's supposed to help make teething easier for babies, but there's a new warning about for parents about a common medication.
The FDA is warning parents of teething babies not to use prescription or over-the-counter medications such as Anbesol, Hurricaine, Orajel, Baby Orajel, and Orabase to treat their aching gums.
The agency says prescription drugs which contain a local anesthetic that comes in syrup are not safe for teething infants.
The FDA previously came out against the use of over-the-counter benzocaine products, too.
"The reasons that we recommend avoiding them is that they can have some serious consequences for children, and they don't really work all that well," said Cleveland Clinic Pediatrician, Dr. Kim Guiliano. "As soon as a child starts drooling, they often drool the gel away, and the effect is only momentary."
Experts recommend using teething rings that have been refrigerated — not frozen — because too-cold rings can actually cause damage to the gums.
Babies can also chew on a wet, cold washcloth or frozen foods like bagels or bananas.