Maryland, United States – The Food and Drug Administration sends out a warning to all guardians out there regarding the use of gum-numbing medicines on teething babies.
Research shows that these could harm them instead of taking away the pain. In some worst cases, the baby could even die due to the chemicals found in these medicines. They should only be used after the advice of the doctors. Plus, mothers should follow the brand, the amount, and the frequency of the use of such medicine.
If this has been your habit whenever your child is teething, it is best to go to an urgent care clinic and have them checked right away.
What Could Be the Poison Inside the Gum-Numbing Medicines
Logically, using gum-numbing medicines on teething babies is correct. They will not feel all the pain whenever a tooth is coming out. However, certain ingredients such as viscous lidocaine and benzocaine can easily harm the child’s body.
These are used for treating mouths of people with ulcer. It works perfectly because such disease needs the strong anesthesia. This is gel-like syrup that can easily be purchased. It is very tempting to use it on babies but FDA says that this should never be done.
In addition, over-the-counter medicines like Orabase, Baby Orajel, Orajel, Hurricaine, and Anbesol should be avoided. They should not be given to any child below 2 years old or they might need urgent care right away.
Reports regarding the abuse of the products on babies have already been released. In 2014 alone, 22 reports, including death, related to the intake of gum-numbing medicines came to the administration.
What Does the Food and Drug Administration Do to Prevent It ?
Aside from sending out a warning, the Food and Drug Administration wants companies to label their products accordingly. They should also put signs that people should go directly to urgent care clinics if there is something wrong going on with their oral parts.
Also, the FDA says that parents should just accept this normal phenomenon. All babies teethe. They will just have to go through the cries and pain of the child until it is all over. No drugs were recommended by the administration for this to be stopped. Even visits at urgent care near me are not needed.
The best gum-numbing medicines are out there at your home. Aside from hugs and kisses for the baby, one can use cold water and massage. How do you handle this phenomenon at your place?
