Warnings Over Teething Gels: Health Risks for Babies and Safer Alternatives
Teething is one of the most challenging stages for both infants and parents. It often brings sleepless nights, constant crying, swollen gums, and a strong urge to bite. To ease these difficulties, many parents turn to teething gels and specially marketed oils, promoted as effective solutions.
However, a recent study by the German product-testing magazine Öko-Test questioned the effectiveness of these remedies, warning that they lack proven benefits and may even pose health risks to children.
Artificial Sweeteners
The magazine found that some teething gels contain artificial sweeteners such as saccharin and sucralose. These additives may increase a child’s preference for sugary foods from an early age, posing long-term health concerns.
Some products were also found to contain PEG compounds and derivatives, which can increase skin permeability and allow unwanted substances to enter a baby’s body.
Most concerning, however, was the presence of alcohol as a preservative in some gels—something Öko-Test deemed completely unacceptable in products intended for infants.
Simpler Alternatives: Massage Oils
Alongside teething gels, some companies market special oils for massaging a baby’s cheeks or jawline during teething. But according to Öko-Test, regular baby oils or creams are just as effective and far safer than these specialized products, which proved unreliable in testing.
Parents can rest assured that simple oils carry no health risks, making them a safer alternative to commercial teething gels.
Natural Methods to Ease Teething Pain
The magazine also recommended natural methods to soothe teething discomfort. These include gently massaging the jaw to ease gum pain and cooling irritated gums with a teething ring or a chilled spoon from the fridge—cold temperatures can reduce pain and provide temporary relief.
Because babies at this stage have a strong urge to chew, such natural remedies are both suitable and effective.
Still, in cases where the pain is severe and persists despite these methods, paediatricians advise using pain-relieving suppositories, such as those containing paracetamol—but only under a doctor’s supervision to avoid potential risks.
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