The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has received reports of methemoglobinemia, a rare but serious blood disorder that is associated with pain relievers, including teething gels, that contain benzocaine sold under the brand names Anbesol, Hurricaine, Orajel, Baby Orajel, Orabase and generic brands.
Methemoglobinemia is a serious blood disorder that reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood stream and, in severe cases, can lead to death. Symptoms, which could possibly follow a single application of benzocaine with concentrations as low as 7.5 percent, include pale, gray or blue-colored skin, lips, and nail beds; shortness of breath; fatigue; confusion; headache; lightheadedness; and rapid heart rate .
The FDA is advising health care professionals to refer to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines for teething, which recommend giving infants and toddlers a chilled (not frozen) teething ring or gently rubbing or massaging the gums with a finger instead of using benzocaine to relieve the symptoms.
For more information, visit the FDA website at http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm250024.htm and the ADA website at http://www.ada.org/news/5731.aspx
Some common children’s snacks are very sticky and can lodge on the teeth for a long time. Sticky snacks can deliver sugar to the teeth long after you think your child has swallowed them. This places teeth at great risk for cavities. If you do offer your child a sticky snack it is best to brush afterward.
ISSUE: FDA notified consumers that Hyland’s Teething Tablets is being recalled because the tablets may pose a risk to children. Continue reading “Hyland’s Teething Tablets: recall – Risk of Harm to Children” »
Pedodontic Associates won first place and honorable mentions at the first annual Hawaii Dental Association pumpkin carving contest held at the Kapolei Regional Park last night.
And it’s just one new line of attack on a somewhat surprising problem: Despite widespread water fluoridation and advances in dental care, cavities were more common among young children in the early 2000s than they were a decade earlier, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
From The USA Today
From the Washington Post, a great article about thumb-sucking.
Strategies for helping your child break the thumb-sucking habit
Every year, children in America miss millions of hours of school because of tooth decay.
“The “silent epidemic,” which is what the U.S. Surgeon General’s 2000 report on the nation’s oral health called it, says tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease, five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than hay fever.”
“Kids’ Dental Decay Takes a Bite out of School Attendance”, New America Media
According to the AAPD, it is very important to keep primary teeth in place until they are lost naturally. “Baby” teeth:
· Help children chew properly to maintain good nutrition.
· Are involved in speech development.
· Help save space for permanent teeth.
· Promote a healthy smile that helps children feel good about the way they look.
RDH Magazine
Pearlridge: