The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned parents and dental professionals in the US against the liberal use of teething gels in children. The reason being when they go on to to administer teething pain relievers they actually expose the child to benzocaine.
The over use of this chemical is known to go on to result in cases of methemoglobinemia which is a serious blood disorder that can be fatal. The connection has been seen increasingly in infants who were treated with teething gels. This is the latest finding by the US the agency.
Rather, they recommend the use of alternatives such as teething rings or massaging the gums of the teething children with fingers which are more traditional forms of relieving teething concerns in a really safe manner.
Benzocaine is also found to be used as topical pain reliever in a wide variety of products such as cough drops or condoms to prevent premature ejaculation. According to the FDA, the effects of methemoglobinemia can occur at any time be it in a single administration of the gel or fluid or over a period of time. The symptoms that are linked with it are shortness of breath, headache or rapid heart rate that can turn fatal within no time and lead to death.
The bad news is that pain relievers that have benzocaine in them are available as over-the-counter products in stores and pharmacies in the US. However, the awareness of the harmful impact of this chemical has gone on to allow some manufacturers to offer teething gels that are benzocaine-free.