The Dangers of Kid’s Soothing and Teething Toys

Popular Product? Soothing and teething toys and necklaces are products popularly used for easing the pain associated with infant teething.

Although they can be helpful, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wants parents and caregivers to remember that soothing and teething toys and jewelries can also be dangerous – in fact, they cause numerous injuries (and even some deaths) every year – so it is essential to remember to put safety first.

In order to protect infants and children from hazards associated with defective and unsafe toys and/or products, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) requires all manufacturers to follow a number of health and safety standards. The standards are in place to ensure that children’s products are not unreasonably unsafe or containing defects that result in illness, injury, and death.

Signs Your Child May Be Starting To Teeth

Here are a few typical symptoms and signs that babies who are about to start teething usually show:

• Displaying the urge to bite or biting;
• Excessively drooling and/or dribbling;
• Sleeplessness and restlessness;
• Slight elevated temperature;
• Mild rash around the mouth;
• Pain and soreness/swelling of the gums, and:
• Mood changes

Kids’ Toy and Jewelry-Related Illness, Injury, and Death Information

Sadly, infants and young children have experienced many illnesses, injuries, and deaths associated with teething and soothing toys and jewelries. A late 2018 FDA press release warned parents about the possible hazards after the serious injury to one child, a 7-month-old, and the later death of an 18-month-old that same year. Teething and soothing jewelry, like wooden bead necklaces, were responsible for the injuries in both cases.

The FDA says that other common illnesses and injuries associated with teething and soothing toys and jewelry include:

• Injury to the mouth;
• Infections in the mouth;
• Strangulation;
• Choking, and:
• Gum irritation

The FDA’s Official Recommendations on Teething Products

Not only does the FDA recommend that parents and caregivers avoid using teething jewelry (e.g. wooden, marble, amber, or silicone-based necklaces and bracelets) in infants and children altogether, but also against the use of teething products like:

• Lozenges for mouth and gum pain;
• Benzocaine gels, ointments, and sprays, and:
• Creams

The FDA encourages parents to always say no to using lozenges, creams, sprays, creams, and gels during teething because they are known to release dangerous toxins into a child’s bloodstream.

There are numerous types of teething and soothing products available on the consumer market. If you would like to learn more about safe child teething and soothing products, you can do so through one of the American Academy of Pediatrics – sponsored sites.

If your child became ill or was injured because of a defective or unreasonably unsafe teething or soothing product, please contact a representative at our firm who can help.

Philadelphia Product Liability Lawyers at Galfand Berger, LLP: Represent Victims of Defective and Dangerous Products

If you have more questions about an unsafe product, please contact our Philadelphia product liability lawyers at Galfand Berger. With offices located in Philadelphia, Bethlehem, Lancaster, and Reading we serve clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. To schedule a consultation, call us at 800-222-8792 or complete our online contact form.