Like we mentioned earlier, the FDA – Food and Drug Administration – is trying to discourage the use of these products because they may contain harmful substances, especially benzocaine. According to the FDA, using this substance on children that are less than two years of age can result in methemoglobinemia.
What is methemoglobinemia, you may ask? It is a health condition where the amount of oxygen in the body is greatly reduced when there is an excess of a hemoglobin, known as methemoglobin, in the body. It can result in side effects such as:
- Dizziness
- Rapid heart rate
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Skin discoloration
This hemoglobin, which functions as an anesthetic, can be used in other products used by people above two years of age. Example include:
- Bug bite treatments
- Sexual enhancers
- Boil treatments
- Sore throat treatments
It may not be as risky when used by adults or children above two years, but that much cannot be said for younger kids. Their immune system is still developing and is not strong enough to handle such a substance. Aside from the symptoms mentioned above, this substance can result in more fatal situations and even death when used in underaged kids.
Other substances found in a lot of teething gels that are not recommended by the FDA include viscous lidocaine and homeopathic-labeled products. To be on the safe side, the best thing to do is consult your doctor before using any of these gels on your baby.
Finally, to answer the question, “Are teething gels safe for babies?” We would say yes, as long as they do not contain any risky substances like viscous lidocaine, benzocaine, or are homeopathic-labeled – which is what we have on our list above.