How come people don't do orajel?

SassyPanties · August 2010

I've seen multiple posts that people don't like orajel - but why? What is the danger?

MCMoo23 · August 2010

Ohhh I'd love to see answers. Lucy isn't teething yet, but I used this on Libby all the time. Personally, I think it worked wonders.

Aimeelb1 · August 2010

I've read somewhere that it can numb the back of the throat so they lose their gag reflex which could result in them aspirating their saliva

mojito14 · August 2010

MCMoo23:
Ohhh I'd love to see answers. Lucy isn't teething yet, but I used this on Libby all the time. Personally, I think it worked wonders.

This. It worked great with ds1.

vbarnie · August 2010

I thought it was the best choice over giving her meds, however Bee didn't like it. She kept pushing her tongue out and making faces then started to cry and shove her hands in her mouth. I just rubbed a little over her front two bottom teeth, it was the size of a pea. So now we do tylenol if it is really bad. However I just do other things to help her out.

SassyPanties · August 2010

OH wow I'd never heard that about the gag reflex - that makes sense.

I hardly put any on my finger, so I don't see how that could happen (unless you were maybe using too much)

earthyaky · August 2010

It's the benzocaine in orajel that can cause problems with the hemoglobins carrying oxygen.

Here's a good (imo) article breaking it down: https://www.hippiedippiebebe.com/health/orajel-benzocaine-safe-babies/

MCC1010 · August 2010

Really? I was told to use both Orajel and infant Motrin to help with teething

lite-bright · August 2010

earthyaky:
It's the benzocaine in orajel that can cause problems with the hemoglobins carrying oxygen.
Here's a good (imo) article breaking it down: https://www.hippiedippiebebe.com/health/orajel-benzocaine-safe-babies/

I thought that was a good one, too. It quotes an M.D. who says on his own web site:

Benzocaine teething gels are a mixed blessing. They do reduce pain, but they can also leave a baby?s mouth feeling as if he has just been to the dentist. Some babies are happy with the pain relief, but others object to the swollen, numb sensation as much as they do to the pain. Either way, the effect of these gels is very short-lived. And they do carry a small risk of allergic reactions and decreased gag reflexes.There are also very rare reports of benzocaine causing a potentially deadly blood disorder called methemoglobinemia. In this condition, oxygen delivery to the body is impaired, causing a child to turn blue. Most of these cases involved inhaled benzocaine, but teething gels have been associated with a few cases. Because of the risk for this serious condition, it?s important for parents to be careful when using products with benzocaine. Benzocaine-containing products should be stored in a location that prevents access to these medications by children. When used, the amount of benzocaine administered should be closely monitored.

Read more: https://www.drgreene.com/qa/benzocaine-teething-gels#ixzz0yF6ZxYQq

ertopp · August 2010

the other day kylie was having an awful day. i gave her tylenol and she continued to scream. i went and bought the orajel (it comes in swabs that are already measured out) so i used it and it was great. i do worry about the numbing but if you use it only on the gums it should be okay.

n.gallihugh · August 2010

Baby orajel can actually make gums harder so its tougher for the teeth to come through so more pain.

PrincessLinLin · August 2010

I'd rather use orajel then hylands teething tablets. The main ingredient is belladonna (a highly toxic plant) I plan on using a baltic amber teething necklace when the time comes for Eldin.

schnappycat · August 2010

PrincessLinLin:
I'd rather use orajel then hylands teething tablets. The main ingredient is belladonna (a highly toxic plant).

I never used either for DS and don't plan to for DD, either. DH is a doctor and he and our pedi agree that both products aren't ideal for the reasons mentioned. I will give a little tylenol if necessary. I just hope she is an easy teether like he was!

aggieamd · August 2010

We talked to our pedi yesterday about Orajel. She said there's no danger in it whatsoever, she's just not convinced it's very effective. From my experience using Orajel on myself, it only lasts maybe 15 minutes or so and then you feel pain again. She said if you LO is uncomfortable enough to need some sort of pain reliever that giving Tylenol is a much better option because it'll actually last and you won't have to keep reapplying Orajel.

cc_fame · August 2010

n.gallihugh:
Baby orajel can actually make gums harder so its tougher for the teeth to come through so more pain.

This. A professional told me the same thing. It makes teething take longer, so it kind of defeats the purpose of giving them this to ease their pain.

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