WARNING – Orajel Type Products Not Safe for Baby
If you have a teething child at home, the Food and Drug Administration says DO NOT use over the counter numbing products like Baby Orajel.
Products containing benzocaine should not be used to treat infants and children younger than 2 years...these products carry serious risks and provide little to no benefits for treating oral pain, including sore gums in infants due to teething.
They also warn adults should pay close attention to the label warnings, as it could be dangerous for them, too. What's the problem? Benzocaine is a local anesthetic, and it can reduce the oxygen in your blood to dangerous levels and even cause death.
Most companies producing the projects are expected to change their formulas, but until they do, look for the ingredient benzocaine and steer clear of it. According to CBS News, the company that makes Orajel (Church and Dwight Co. Inc.) has four teething projects and will stop producing them. Adult Orajel is not being discontinued.
Read the entire FDA warning HERE.
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