FDA Issues Warning To Parent About Teething Jewelry

Following the death of a 18 month old child by a teething necklace, the FDA has issues a warning to parents regarding the dangers of teething jewelry.

“We know that teething necklaces and jewelry products have become increasingly popular among parents and caregivers who want to provide relief for children’s teething pain and sensory stimulation for children with special needs. We’re concerned about the risks we’ve observed with these products and want parents to be aware that teething jewelry puts children, including those with special needs, at risk of serious injury and death,” said FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D.

In addition to avoiding using jewelry to relieve teething pain, the FDA continues to recommend that parents and caregivers avoid using teething creams, benzocaine gels, sprays, ointments, solutions and lozenges for mouth and gum pain.  They indicate that benzocaine and other local anesthetics can cause methemoglobinemia, which is a serious condition in which the amount of oxygen carried through the blood is reduced and that condition is life-threatening and could result in death.