As babies go through teething, they can be fussier than usual due to the pain of the tooth breaking through. You may see your baby biting on their fingers, and eating and drinking may also be more difficult for your little one because their mouth hurts.
If your child seems to be having a hard time, it’s only natural as parents to want to help them feel better. You may have heard about teething tablets and wonder if they’re safe and helpful to use.
In this blog, the pediatric dentists at Park View Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics will explain what you need to know about teething tablets.
What are teething tablets?
These tablets are a homeopathic remedy to soothe the discomfort associated with teething. These tablets claim when used in small increments, it can alleviate the discomfort associated with teething
These herbal remedies often contain ingredients such as belladonna (which can be poisonous, but is also used to alleviate pain), chamomilla (which is meant to help with irritability) and coffea cruda (which is meant to help to with sleeplessness).
Hyland’s is a major manufacturer of teething tablets, and CVS also has their own brand. The Hyland tablets are no longer sold in the United States.
Teething tablets are often put under a baby’s tongue, where they dissolve, or added to a small amount of water.
What do you need to know about teething tablets?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned parents and other caregivers to stop using teething tablets because of a possible association between the use of the tablets and the deaths of 10 children who used them. In addition, the agency is looking into 400 “adverse events” associated with the tablets over the past few years, including fever, vomiting, tremors, and shortness of breath.
The FDA recommends that if parents use these tablets and their child experiences any of the preceding symptoms, they should seek immediate medical treatment for their child.
Even without the potential for harm, the FDA does not support any health benefits claimed by the manufacturers of teething tablets.
How can you help your child get relief?
If you decide not to use teething tablets but would like to help provide your child with relief, the following are some safe methods that may help:
- Massage the gums: Use a clean finger or moistened gauze to massage your child’s gums.
- Use a teething ring: Let your baby chew on a sold (not liquid-filled) teething ring.
- Try a cold wet washcloth: Put a clean, wet washcloth in the freezer for up to 30 minutes and then apply it to your baby’s gums
- Let them eat cold foods if they’re able to: If your baby is eating solid foods, you can also try frozen bananas or berries or a peeled and chilled cucumber or carrot, but make sure to keep a close watch to make sure they don’t choke.
- Dry the drool: Your baby may drool more than usual during teething, which can irritate his or her skin. Use a clean cloth to keep their skin dry, and apply a moisturizer if needed.
Where can you get more information?
For more information about how to safely help your baby through the teething process, contact Park View Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics in Manhattan. Founded by Dr. Deborah Pilla in 1986, Park View Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics is dedicated to providing gentle dental care that makes children comfortable while providing them with the latest in cutting-edge techniques and treatments. We pride ourselves in creating a lifetime of healthy smiles.