Are Teething Gels Safe for My Baby?
Medically reviewed by Dr. Michael Okonkwo, MD, FAAP · Board-Certified Neonatologist
Content reviewed against published AAP, CDC, NIH guidelines
Last reviewed:
If your baby has been diagnosed with or you suspect are teething gels safe for my baby, here is what the evidence says.
The short answer
The FDA strongly advises against using teething gels containing benzocaine (like Baby Orajel) for children under 2 due to the risk of methemoglobinemia, a rare but life-threatening condition that reduces blood oxygen levels. Lidocaine-containing products also pose overdose risks. Safe alternatives include chilled teething rings, cold washcloths, gentle gum massage, and age-appropriate pain relievers like acetaminophen if recommended by your pediatrician.
Key takeaways
- The FDA strongly advises against using teething gels containing benzocaine (like Baby Orajel) for children under 2 due to the risk of methemoglobinemia, a rare but life-threatening condition that reduces blood oxygen levels. Lidocaine-containing products also pose overdose risks. Safe alternatives include chilled teething rings, cold washcloths, gentle gum massage, and age-appropriate pain relievers like acetaminophen if recommended by your pediatrician.
- Usually normal when: Your baby is mildly fussy during teething and responds to safe comfort measures
- Call your doctor if: Your baby shows signs of methemoglobinemia after using a numbing product: pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, shortness of breath, confusion, or rapid heart rate
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
“Fever itself is not an illness — rather, it is a sign or symptom that the body is fighting an infection. Fever stimulates certain defenses, such as the white blood cells, which attack and destroy invading bacteria.”
This is one of the most common questions parents ask. Searching for answers means you care.
What Parents Should Know
According to AAP, CDC, NIH guidelines, the FDA strongly advises against using teething gels containing benzocaine (like Baby Orajel) for children under 2 due to the risk of methemoglobinemia, a rare but life-threatening condition that reduces blood oxygen levels. Lidocaine-containing products also pose overdose risks. Safe alternatives include chilled teething rings, cold washcloths, gentle gum massage, and age-appropriate pain relievers like acetaminophen if recommended by your pediatrician. At 0-3 months, teething gels should not be used at this age. If your young baby seems uncomfortable, it may or may not be related to teething (early teething before 3 months is possible but uncommon). Offer a clean, chilled teething ring or wet washcloth for gumming. Do not use frozen items, which can be too hard and damage gums. It is generally considered normal when your baby is mildly fussy during teething and responds to safe comfort measures. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your baby shows signs of methemoglobinemia after using a numbing product: pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, shortness of breath, confusion, or rapid heart rate.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
0-3 months
Teething gels should not be used at this age. If your young baby seems uncomfortable, it may or may not be related to teething (early teething before 3 months is possible but uncommon). Offer a clean, chilled teething ring or wet washcloth for gumming. Do not use frozen items, which can be too hard and damage gums.
3-6 months
As teething begins, parents often look for relief options. Avoid all benzocaine and lidocaine products. Safe options include: refrigerated (not frozen) teething rings, a cold wet washcloth, gentle gum massage with a clean finger, and acetaminophen for particularly fussy episodes (with pediatrician guidance).
6-12 months
Teething pain peaks during this period as multiple teeth erupt. In addition to the safe options above, ibuprofen can now be used for teething pain. Silicone teething toys designed for this age are helpful. Avoid amber teething necklaces, which pose choking and strangulation risks with no proven benefit.
12-24 months
Molar eruption can cause significant discomfort. Continue using safe pain management: cold foods (chilled fruit in a mesh feeder), gum massage, teething toys, and appropriate pain relievers. Some "natural" or "homeopathic" teething products have also been found to be unsafe - the FDA has warned about homeopathic teething tablets containing belladonna.
2-3 years
Second molars (2-year molars) can cause discomfort. Continue to avoid numbing gels. Offer cold foods, chewing toys appropriate for the age, and pain medication as needed. By this age, teething discomfort is typically less severe as children have developed coping mechanisms.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed are teething gels safe for my baby and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your baby seems in significant pain from teething that is not relieved by safe measures.
- Mention if you have questions about which teething products are safe.
- Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your baby is mildly fussy during teething and responds to safe comfort measures
- Teething discomfort lasts a few days around each tooth eruption and then resolves
- Your baby chews on objects and drools more than usual during teething
- Your baby seems in significant pain from teething that is not relieved by safe measures
- You have questions about which teething products are safe
- You accidentally used a benzocaine product on your baby and want guidance
- Your baby shows signs of methemoglobinemia after using a numbing product: pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, shortness of breath, confusion, or rapid heart rate
- Your baby seems excessively ill with fever over 101°F, refuses to eat for extended periods, or has symptoms beyond typical teething discomfort
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice are teething gels safe for my baby — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that your baby is mildly fussy during teething and responds to safe comfort measures — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 0-3 months, focus on observation rather than intervention unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.
- Follow any care instructions from your pediatrician. Keep a written log of symptoms to bring to appointments.
- While monitoring at home, seek immediate care if your baby shows signs of methemoglobinemia after using a numbing product: pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, shortness of breath, confusion, or rapid heart rate.
Related Conditions
Does Teething Really Cause Fever?
Research shows that teething may cause a slight increase in body temperature, but it does NOT cause true fever (temperature at or above 100.4 degrees F / 38 degrees C). A large systematic review of studies found that teething may cause temperatures up to about 100 degrees F (37.8 degrees C), along with drooling, gum irritation, and fussiness. If your baby has a temperature of 100.4 degrees F or higher, they likely have an illness that coincidentally timed with teething, and the fever should be evaluated by your pediatrician rather than dismissed as "just teething."
Should I Give Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen for Fever?
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be used from birth (with doctor guidance for babies under 3 months), while ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil) is only safe after 6 months of age. Both are effective fever reducers. Acetaminophen works for about 4-6 hours and ibuprofen for 6-8 hours. Always dose by weight, not age, and use the measuring device that comes with the medicine.
Baby's First Dental Visit Timing
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that a baby's first dental visit should occur by their first birthday or within six months of the eruption of their first tooth, whichever comes first. This early visit establishes a dental home and allows the dentist to check for early signs of decay and provide preventive guidance.
Related Resources
Frequently asked questions
Is are teething gels safe for my baby normal?
When should I call the doctor about are teething gels safe for my baby?
When is are teething gels safe for my baby normal?
What causes are teething gels safe for my baby?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about are teething gels safe for my baby?
Is are teething gels safe for my baby normal at 0-3 months?
Is are teething gels safe for my baby normal at 3-6 months?
Should I go to the ER for are teething gels safe for my baby?
Does are teething gels safe for my baby go away on its own?
References
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss Are Teething Gels Safe for My Baby?.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed are teething gels safe for my baby and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your baby seems in significant pain from teething that is not relieved by safe measures.
- Mention if you have questions about which teething products are safe.
- Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
Observations to share
- Your baby seems in significant pain from teething that is not relieved by safe measures
- You have questions about which teething products are safe
- You accidentally used a benzocaine product on your baby and want guidance
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Your baby shows signs of methemoglobinemia after using a numbing product: pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, shortness of breath, confusion, or rapid heart rate
- Your baby seems excessively ill with fever over 101°F, refuses to eat for extended periods, or has symptoms beyond typical teething discomfort
My notes
From ismybabyalright.com — free, evidence-based baby health guides
All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.
2,705 evidence-based guides6 authoritative medical sources5 medical advisory board members
Related Resources
Bottom line
Most cases of are teething gels safe for my baby are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your baby shows signs of methemoglobinemia after using a numbing product: pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, shortness of breath, confusion, or rapid heart rate.
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.
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Related Medical Concerns
Does Teething Really Cause Fever?
Research shows that teething may cause a slight increase in body temperature, but it does NOT cause true fever (temperature at or above 100.4 degrees F / 38 degrees C). A large systematic review of studies found that teething may cause temperatures up to about 100 degrees F (37.8 degrees C), along with drooling, gum irritation, and fussiness. If your baby has a temperature of 100.4 degrees F or higher, they likely have an illness that coincidentally timed with teething, and the fever should be evaluated by your pediatrician rather than dismissed as "just teething."
Should I Give Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen for Fever?
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be used from birth (with doctor guidance for babies under 3 months), while ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil) is only safe after 6 months of age. Both are effective fever reducers. Acetaminophen works for about 4-6 hours and ibuprofen for 6-8 hours. Always dose by weight, not age, and use the measuring device that comes with the medicine.
Baby's First Dental Visit Timing
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that a baby's first dental visit should occur by their first birthday or within six months of the eruption of their first tooth, whichever comes first. This early visit establishes a dental home and allows the dentist to check for early signs of decay and provide preventive guidance.
My Baby's Head Shape Looks Abnormal
Many babies develop temporary head shape irregularities that are completely normal. A cone-shaped head from vaginal delivery reshapes within days. Mild positional flattening (plagiocephaly) from sleeping on the back is very common and usually improves with repositioning and tummy time. However, head shape changes involving ridges, a persistently bulging fontanelle, or rapid head growth changes should be evaluated to rule out craniosynostosis.
Achondroplasia (Dwarfism) in Babies
Achondroplasia is the most common form of short-limbed dwarfism, affecting about 1 in 15,000 to 40,000 births. It is caused by a mutation in the FGFR3 gene and is usually apparent at birth with characteristic features including short limbs, a larger head, and a prominent forehead. Intelligence is normal. With monitoring for specific complications and supportive care, children with achondroplasia lead full, active, and independent lives.
Adenoid Hypertrophy and Breathing
Adenoids are lymphoid tissue located behind the nose that help fight infection in young children. When adenoids become enlarged (adenoid hypertrophy), they can block the nasal airway, causing chronic mouth breathing, snoring, nasal speech, and sleep-disordered breathing. Enlarged adenoids are most common between ages 2-7 and are a leading cause of obstructive sleep apnea in young children. Treatment ranges from watchful waiting and nasal steroids to surgical removal (adenoidectomy) if breathing or sleep is significantly affected.