TL;DR: The FDA has warned since 2018 that benzocaine teething gels (like Baby Orajel and Anbesol) carry a rare but serious risk of methemoglobinemia, a blood disorder that reduces oxygen in the body — and the agency has separately flagged homeopathic teething tablets containing belladonna after reports of seizures and breathing trouble in infants. Neither is recommended for babies. The safest options are simple and low-tech: a chilled (not frozen) teething ring, a clean cold washcloth, or gentle finger massage on the gums. This post breaks down what's actually in the products in your medicine cabinet and what pediatric and regulatory guidance actually recommends instead.
It's 2 a.m., your baby is gnawing on their fist and crying, and you're standing in front of the medicine cabinet reaching for whatever's labeled "teething relief." Most of us have been there. But is teething gel safe for babies, or is it one of those products that sounds gentle on the label and turns out to be anything but? Teething products are marketed directly at exhausted parents in the most vulnerable moment of the night, which makes them worth double-checking before they go anywhere near your baby's mouth.
Is Teething Gel Safe for Babies? What the FDA Actually Warned About Benzocaine
No — the FDA has specifically warned against using over-the-counter benzocaine products, including popular teething gels and liquids, in children younger than two. In a May 2018 drug safety communication, the agency required new warning labels on benzocaine oral health products (brands like Baby Orajel, Orajel, and Anbesol) after reviewing 119 cases of a rare but serious condition called methemoglobinemia linked to the ingredient, some of them fatal. The FDA also sent letters urging manufacturers to stop marketing these products for teething in children under two entirely.
Benzocaine is a local anesthetic — it numbs the gum tissue on contact, which is exactly why it feels like relief in the moment. The risk isn't about using too much; the FDA noted that cases occurred even at recommended doses, and even after a single application.
What Is Methemoglobinemia, and Why Does It Matter for a Teething Baby?
Methemoglobinemia happens when benzocaine changes the hemoglobin in red blood cells into a form that can't carry oxygen properly, so a baby's body can be starved of oxygen even while they appear to be breathing normally. Warning signs include pale, gray, or bluish skin, lips, or nail beds; shortness of breath; unusual fatigue; a rapid heart rate; and confusion. The FDA advises seeking emergency care immediately if any of these appear — this is not a wait-and-see situation.
Are Homeopathic Teething Tablets Any Safer?
Not based on what the FDA found. In 2016 and 2017, the agency issued a safety alert and, alongside the manufacturer, a nationwide recall of Hyland's Baby Teething Tablets after lab testing found inconsistent, unsubstantiated amounts of belladonna — a plant that can be genuinely harmful in higher doses — in the products. The FDA had received reports of seizures, difficulty breathing, lethargy, excessive sleepiness, and agitation in infants after using homeopathic teething products, and its guidance since has been straightforward: don't use homeopathic teething tablets or gels at all.
It's a good reminder that "natural" or "homeopathic" on a label doesn't automatically mean gentle or well-regulated — here, the amount of active plant compound simply wasn't consistent from batch to batch, which is a manufacturing problem as much as an ingredient one.
Why Does a Baby's Mouth Absorb These Ingredients So Easily?
The tissue inside a baby's mouth — like their skin — is thinner and more permeable than an adult's, and babies have a much smaller body weight relative to any dose they're given. That combination is why ingredients that barely register in an adult can have an outsized effect on an infant. It's the same reasoning we lean on when thinking about what touches our baby's skin at bath time: little bodies process what goes on (and in) them differently, so the products made for them deserve real scrutiny, not just a reassuring package.
What Can You Actually Use to Soothe Teething Pain Safely?
The good news is that the safest options are also the simplest. Pediatric guidance generally points to a chilled (not frozen) teething ring, since cold pressure on the gums is one of the most consistently recommended approaches and carries no ingredient risk at all; a clean, cold, wet washcloth for your baby to gnaw on under supervision; and gentle finger massage directly on the gums with clean hands. Age-appropriate acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be reasonable for teething discomfort too, but dosing should always come from your pediatrician, not a guess.
One more product worth knowing about: amber teething necklaces. Despite their popularity, the FDA and the American Academy of Pediatrics warn against them because of choking and strangulation risk, and there's no verified pain-relief benefit strong enough to outweigh that.
How Can a Calming Bedtime Routine Help During Teething Nights?
Teething doesn't just hurt in the moment — it can throw off sleep for the whole family for days at a stretch. While no product can address the discomfort itself, a consistent, soothing wind-down routine can help signal to your baby (and to you) that it's time to settle in. A warm bath with a gentle, soapwort-based wash instead of a harsh, SLS-based one is a good place to start, since fussy, overtired skin doesn't need extra irritation on top of everything else. Many of the parents in our community follow bath time with a slow, unhurried massage — for us, that's where our magnesium lotion comes in, formulated as part of a nightly ritual to support relaxation, not as a teething remedy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Orajel or Baby Orajel safe for my baby's teething pain?
The FDA warns against benzocaine products — including Orajel and Baby Orajel — in children under two, due to the risk of methemoglobinemia. Check the active ingredient before using any teething gel.
What does the FDA actually recommend for teething babies?
Non-medicated options: a chilled (not frozen) teething ring, a cold washcloth, or gentle gum massage with a clean finger. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen, dosed by your pediatrician, is an option for some babies.
Are homeopathic teething tablets safer than benzocaine gel?
No. The FDA recalled Hyland's Baby Teething Tablets after finding inconsistent belladonna levels linked to seizures and breathing difficulty in infants, and advises against homeopathic teething products generally.
Are amber teething necklaces safe for babies?
The FDA and American Academy of Pediatrics advise against them due to choking and strangulation risk, with no reliable evidence they relieve pain.
Does teething cause fever in babies?
Teething may cause a very mild temperature rise, but shouldn't cause a true fever. A temperature of 100.4°F or higher is a reason to call your pediatrician rather than assume it's teething.
You don't need a special product to get through a teething week — you need to know which ones to skip and which simple tools actually help. If you're building out the rest of your baby's routine with the same label-reading instinct, you can explore our soapwort-based Baby Shampoo & Body Wash and our Magnesium Lotion at shopkindrednaturals.com.
Written by Mike & Carly Pronsky, founders of Kindred Naturals.