Medically reviewed by Dr. Yury Slepak, DDS, Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist | 20+ Years Experience | Last Updated: July 2026
No. Pediatric dentists, pediatricians, and the FDA advise against both for babies. Over-the-counter teething gels with benzocaine, such as Orajel and Anbesol, are not recommended for children under 2 and have been linked to a rare but serious blood condition, and homeopathic teething gels and tablets carry their own FDA warning. Amber teething necklaces are a real strangulation and choking risk, and there is no scientific evidence they relieve pain. The safe way to soothe a teething baby is simple: something clean, cool, and safe to chew, and your pediatric dentist can walk you through it.
Here is why each one is a problem, what to do if you have already used one, and what actually helps.
Why Aren't Teething Gels Safe for Babies?
The concern with numbing teething gels is the medication inside them. Over-the-counter gels like Orajel and Anbesol use benzocaine, and the FDA has warned since 2011, and again in later safety actions, that benzocaine should not be used for teething in children younger than 2. Benzocaine can trigger methemoglobinemia, an uncommon condition that lowers the amount of oxygen the blood can carry. It can look like pale, gray, or bluish skin, shortness of breath, or unusual tiredness, and it can become serious quickly.
Prescription-strength numbing gels raise a related worry. A baby's mouth washes a gel away with drool in minutes, so it is easy for a child to swallow the medication or get more than intended, and too much of a numbing drug can affect the heart and the brain. Because a teething baby drools and swallows constantly, a gel that numbs the gums rarely stays where you put it, which is a big part of why dentists steer families away from it.
What About "Natural" or Homeopathic Teething Gels and Tablets?
Products labeled natural or homeopathic can feel like the gentle choice, and this is where parents are most often caught off guard. The FDA has warned specifically against homeopathic teething tablets and gels, and has linked serious illness and infant deaths to them. Part of the problem is belladonna, a plant-derived ingredient found in some of these products, where the actual amount per dose has been inconsistent. A homeopathic or herbal label on the box doesn't mean a product has been tested for a baby's safety, so these belong in the avoid column right next to the benzocaine gels.
Are Amber Teething Necklaces Safe?
Amber teething necklaces carry two physical risks that matter every time a baby wears one. A cord around a baby's neck is a strangulation hazard, especially during sleep or an unsupervised moment, and the FDA has reported a case of a child strangled by one during a nap. If a bead comes loose, it becomes a choking hazard for a child who puts everything in their mouth. For those reasons the American Academy of Pediatrics advises against babies wearing any jewelry, including teething necklaces, bracelets, and anklets.
The idea behind amber is that it releases a substance called succinic acid through the skin to ease pain. There is no reliable evidence this happens or that it helps, and amber only releases succinic acid at very high heat, far hotter than a baby's body. So a necklace carries a real safety risk for a benefit that doesn't hold up.
My Baby Already Wore a Necklace or Used a Gel. What Should I Do?
If your baby wore an amber necklace and is fine, the practical step is simple: take it off, and keep necklaces, bracelets, and beaded jewelry off a baby who is sleeping or unsupervised. Most children who wore one come through with no harm.
If you gave a teething gel and your baby seems their normal self, watch them and skip it going forward. If you notice pale, gray, or bluish skin, unusual sleepiness, trouble breathing, or a fast heartbeat after a benzocaine gel, treat it as urgent and call your pediatrician or Poison Control right away, or 911 if your child is struggling to breathe. When you are unsure, a quick call to your child's doctor or dentist is always the right move, and no one will fault you for asking.
What Can I Safely Do to Soothe a Teething Baby?
Teething usually starts around 4 to 7 months, and the ache comes and goes as each tooth pushes through. A teething baby wants to press on the sore gum, which is why they chew on fingers, cloth, and toys, and you can give them safe ways to do exactly that:
- Massage the gums with a clean finger or a soft infant toothbrush.
- Offer a cool, wet washcloth to chew, or a solid silicone or rubber teething ring. Chill it in the refrigerator, not the freezer, since frozen-solid toys are too hard on gums.
- Keep it one solid piece. Skip liquid-filled rings that can leak and anything small enough to break off.
- Ask about infant acetaminophen. If your baby is clearly in pain, your pediatrician can guide you on a safe, age-appropriate dose. It is a better path than any numbing gel.
Simple, cool pressure is what genuinely helps most teething babies, and it carries none of the risk of the gels or the jewelry.
When Should a Teething Baby See a Dentist?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a first dental visit by age 1, or within 6 months of the first tooth coming in. That visit is a good moment to get teething questions answered in person, and to make sure what looks like teething is not early decay or another issue. It is also worth a call if a tooth area looks swollen or discolored, if your baby has a true fever over 100.4 degrees, or if fussiness seems out of proportion to teething, since a real fever is usually a sign of something other than teething. Staying current with routine checkups and preventive care is the surest way to catch small problems early.
Bite Squad Dental of NYC in Brooklyn
Bite Squad Dental of NYC has cared for Sheepshead Bay families for more than 20 years, with 2,000+ Google reviews. At a baby's first visit, the dentist counts erupting teeth, checks gum health, looks for early decay, and gives parents one-on-one guidance on cleaning baby teeth and what to expect with teething, so you leave with a plan instead of a shelf of risky products. Care is led by board-certified pediatric dentist Dr. Yury Slepak, alongside pediatric dentists Dr. Jessica Borukhova and Dr. Yelena Gofman. The front desk speaks English, Spanish, Ukrainian, and Russian, and a parent is welcome to stay with their child through the whole visit.
"We visited with two children, ages 4 and 1. The doctor explained and demonstrated everything. She always puts children at ease!"
If teething has your baby uncomfortable and you want guidance you can trust, bring your questions in. You can meet Dr. Yury Slepak, learn more about our baby and toddler dental care, or request a free consultation. Request a Free Consultation or call (718) 998-2424.
Teething Questions? Bring Them In
Our board-certified pediatric dental team will walk you through what safely soothes a teething baby, in a calm, kid-friendly setting built for the smallest patients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does teething cause a fever?
Teething can bring mild fussiness, extra drooling, and a slightly warm feeling, but it doesn't usually cause a true fever. A temperature over 100.4 degrees is more likely a sign of an illness than teething, so check with your pediatrician if your baby has one.
Are teething tablets the same as teething gels?
They are different products with a shared warning. Gels are applied to the gums, tablets dissolve in the mouth, and the FDA has cautioned against homeopathic versions of both. Neither is a recommended way to relieve teething pain in a baby.
Is Baltic amber any safer than other amber necklaces?
No. The material doesn't change the two real risks, which are strangulation from the cord and choking from a loose bead, and there is no reliable evidence any amber relieves teething pain.
When do babies usually start teething?
Most babies get their first tooth between 4 and 7 months, though the timing varies from child to child. If your baby is well past a year with no teeth, mention it at your dental visit so the dentist can take a look.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please schedule a consultation with our team to discuss your individual needs.
