Blog Highlights

• Benzocaine is a topical anesthetic and is present in many brand name treatments

• Benzocaine has been associated with methemoglobinemia

• If you have any questions, don�t hesitate to contact your dentist or doctor

Naturally, parents become concerned when their young children experience teething pain. It�s tempting to reach for an over-the-counter treatment in an attempt to reduce the discomfort. However, over the past several years, the FDA has warned against any and all treatments that contain benzocaine, a common ingredient in over-the-counter teething pain treatments.

Benzocaine was used to help relieve the gum pain experienced by young children who were teething; however, it�s been shown that benzocaine can lead to a rare, but dangerous illness. Therefore, as of May 2018, the FDA has been asking companies to clear their shelves of all pain relievers that contain this ingredient.

Benzocaine is a topical anesthetic and is present in many brand name treatments, such as Anbesol, Cepacol, Hurricaine, Orajel, and Topex, as well as generic brands. It can be found in a gels, sprays, ointments, and even lozenges.

Benzocaine has been associated with methemoglobinemia, an uncommon, but life-threatening condition. Methemoglobinemia is when the blood contains elevated levels of methemoglobin, a certain protein that carries less oxygen to the body�s tissues. It results in shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness, seizures, comas, and eventually death.

If you have a young child who is teething, stay away from benzocaine. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry offers a list of alternative treatments for teething children and recommends the following:  

• Use a clean, chilled rubber teething ring. Make sure it is not frozen as this can cause unintentional damage and additional pain
• Give your child a cold, wet washcloth to chew on
• Give your child a chilled pacifier
• Gently massage your child�s gums with a clean finger to relieve some of the pressure and sooth irritation
• Ask your dentist or doctor for a recommended over-the-counter pain reliever, such a acetaminophen or ibuprofen, and the proper dosage for a young child
• Never give your child alcohol.

If the pain persists, make an appointment to visit your doctor or dentist as soon as possible. If you have any questions, don�t hesitate to contact your dentist or doctor. They can help determine the problem and offer the best course of treatment for your child.