Benzocaine gel teething products are unsafe for infants and toddlers. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says that over-the-counter (OTC) oral drug products containing benzocaine should not be used to treat infants and children younger than 2 years. These products carry serious risks and provide little to no benefits for treating oral pain, including sore gums in infants due to teething. Benzocaine can cause methemoglobinemia, a condition in which the amount of oxygen carried through the blood is greatly reduced. This can be life-threatening and result in death.
Instead, use tried and true methods to soothe baby gums—a cold washcloth or spoon, gum massages.
