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Dubuque Cosmetic Dentistry Blog - Exceptional Dentistry
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
FDA Releases Warning About Teething Medication
What to do about teething pain? Some kids don't even notice the arrival of the new pearly whites pushing through their gums. However, for other children the eruption of new teeth causes a lot of pain, and parents want to know the best way to comfort their children. It seems we all hear about different remedies to relieve teething pain.
Parents often ask us if it is okay to give their young children Anbesol or Baby Orajel for teething pain. Well, the FDA recently issued a warning about caution using benzocaine-containing products on children under age 2. There have been cases where benzocaine has resulted in a rare but serious condition called methemoglobinemia. This is a condition that limits the blood's ability to carry important oxygen throughout the body, and it can result in death in the most severe cases.
For teething pain, we recommend using a chilled (not frozen) teething ring or gently rubbing the child's gums to relieve discomfort. There are some benzocaine-free products on the market as well.
The article from parenting.com can be found here.
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