Are teething gels and tablets safe? (2026)
Short answer: no. The FDA says topical teething medicines with benzocaine or lidocaine offer little to no benefit and carry serious risks: benzocaine can cause methemoglobinemia, a sometimes fatal drop in the blood’s ability to carry oxygen, and viscous lidocaine can cause seizures, heart problems and death. It also warns against homeopathic teething tablets. Rub gums with a clean finger, or offer a firm rubber teether that isn’t frozen solid.
Recalls checked November 10, 2026 on CPSC. Teething medicines are FDA-regulated. We reviewed FDA’s teething warnings on November 10, 2026, including the April 13, 2017 recall of Hyland’s Baby Teething Tablets for inconsistent belladonna levels. We also searched CPSC recalls with “teeth” and “teething” in the title since November 1, 2025 and found many teething toy recalls for choking, mostly pull-string designs. Our recall-check policy.
How this page was made: this is a research-based guide built from official safety guidance (AAP/HealthyChildren.org, CPSC, NHTSA, FDA), federal safety standards and recall records, linked at the bottom of the page. We haven’t tested these products ourselves, and we don’t give scores. Our methodology.
Not medical advice. This page explains product safety guidance. For questions about your child’s health, feeding or development, ask your pediatrician.
Quick answer
Short answer: no. The FDA says topical teething medicines with benzocaine or lidocaine offer little to no benefit and carry serious risks: benzocaine can cause methemoglobinemia, a sometimes fatal drop in the blood’s ability to carry oxygen, and viscous lidocaine can cause seizures, heart problems and death.
Last updated Recalls checked 2026-11-10
Teething usually starts around 4 to 7 months, and 20 baby teeth arrive by about age 3 (FDA[1][2], citing the AAP[3][4][5]). Mild irritability, drooling and an urge to chew are normal.
Teething products compared
| Product | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Benzocaine gels (Orajel-type brands, among others listed by FDA) | Don’t use for teething | Little benefit; methemoglobinemia risk (FDA) |
| Viscous lidocaine | Don’t use | Seizures, heart problems, brain injury, death (FDA) |
| Homeopathic tablets and gels | Don’t use | FDA warns against them; belladonna recall (FDA) |
| Amber or teething necklaces | Don’t use | Strangulation and choking (FDA; AAP) |
| Clean finger, gum massage | Use | FDA; AAP |
| Firm rubber or solid silicone teether, chilled not frozen | Use with supervision | FDA; AAP |
| Chilled washcloth (15–30 min in freezer) | Use | AAP |
Why homeopathic tablets are a problem
Who should skip this, and what to skip
Every family should skip teething medicines unless a pediatrician directs otherwise. If your baby has a real fever or seems ill, call your pediatrician rather than blaming teeth.
- Any benzocaine teething gel: FDA[1][2]: little to no benefit and a sometimes fatal blood disorder.
- Homeopathic teething tablets: FDA[1][2] warning; belladonna recall.
- Liquid-filled teething rings: AAP[3][4][5] notes recalls; FDA[1][2] suggests firm, not liquid-filled.
- Teethers frozen rock-hard: FDA[1][2] and AAP[3][4][5]: can hurt gums.
- Pull-string teething toys: Many CPSC[6] choking recalls since 2025.
The free or budget option
Frequently asked questions
Is Orajel safe for babies?
Are homeopathic teething tablets safe?
Can teething cause a fever?
Sources
Safety guidance, standards and recall records come only from the official pages below, which we opened and read for this page. Retailer pages, if any, are used for price and specs only. This page lists no prices.
- FDA: Safely Soothing Teething Pain in Infants and Children, fetched Nov 10, 2026 (fda.gov)
- FDA: Hyland's Baby Teething Tablets Recall (April 13, 2017), fetched Nov 10, 2026 (fda.gov)
- AAP (HealthyChildren.org): How to Help Teething Symptoms without Medications, fetched Nov 10, 2026 (healthychildren.org)
- AAP (HealthyChildren.org): Teething Pain Relief, fetched Nov 10, 2026 (healthychildren.org)
- AAP (HealthyChildren.org): Teething Necklaces and Beads: A Caution for Parents, fetched Nov 10, 2026 (healthychildren.org)
- CPSC recall database query (SaferProducts.gov API): “teething” recalls since 2025-11-01, run Nov 10, 2026 (saferproducts.gov)
Related
Are amber teething necklaces safe? Safer teethers and what to skip (2026)
Short answer: no. The FDA warns against teething necklaces and bracelets after reports of strangulation and choking, including a death, and the AAP doesn’t recommend infants wear any jewelry. Use a firm (not liquid-filled) teething ring, a chilled washcloth or a clean finger instead, and skip benzocaine and lidocaine gels.
guideHow to choose safe toys by age (2026)
Short answer: follow the age label, keep every toy and part larger than your child’s mouth, avoid loose button batteries, strong magnets, bean-like fillings and loose strings, and take down hanging crib toys when your baby starts pushing up on hands and knees or turns 5 months, whichever comes first (AAP). The best toys are simple ones you play with together; “educational” screens aren’t better (AAP).
guideChoking hazards for babies and toddlers: foods, small parts and balloons (2026)
Short answer: keep small, round, firm things away from under-4s. The AAP lists hot dogs, whole grapes, nuts, popcorn, hard candy, raw carrot sticks and chunks of meat or cheese as top food risks (cut round foods into tiny pieces), and balloons, coins, marbles, small balls, pen caps and button batteries as household ones. Balloons are a risk up to age 8. Take an infant CPR and first-aid class.