When a baby is teething, many parents reach for overthe- counter teething anesthetic such as Anbesol, Hurricaine, Orajel, Baby Orajel and Orabase to help soothe the child’s sore gums. This practice may be a dangerous one. The FDA just published a warning about the ingredient benzocaine, a local anesthetic found in these tooth pain remedy products.
Benzocaine gels and liquids for mouth and gum pain can lead to a rare but serious condition called methemoglobinemia, a disorder in which the amount of oxygen carried through the blood is greatly reduced. In the most severe cases, this condition can result in death and children under two-yearsold seem to be at particular risk for the condition.
Due to the difficulty parents may have recognizing the signs and symptoms of methemoglobinemia, the FDA recommends that parents and caregivers not use benzocaine products for children under two years of age, except under the advice and supervision of a health care professional.
Symptoms to watch for include pale, gray or bluecolored skin, lips and nail beds; shortness of breath; fatigue; confusion; headache; light-headedness; and rapid heart rate. The symptoms typically occur within minutes to hours after the use of a benzocaine product. If parents notice these symptoms, they should cease using the product immediately and call 911.
There are alternatives to treating the mouth pain caused by teething in young children. Parents can give the child a teething room that has been chilled or simply rub or massage the child’s gums with their finger.
