The Food and Drug Administration is warning parents and caregivers about using teething necklaces or bracelets after the death of an 18-month-old child.
The agency discourages the use of teething products to relieve pain in kids or to offer sensory stimulation to kids with autism or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Teether Silicone Baby
The warning follows a report an 18-month-old child died after the child was strangled by an amber teething necklace while taking a nap. In another report, a 7-month-old was hospitalized after choking on the beads of a wooden teething bracelet.
"We’re concerned about the risks we’ve observed with these products and want parents to be aware that teething jewelry puts children, including those with special needs, at risk of serious injury and death," said FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb, in a statement released Thursday.
The American Academy of Pediatrics advises parents ease teething pain by using teething rings made of firm rubber or gently rubbing or massaging gums with one of your fingers.
In May, the FDA warned about the use of over-the-counter teething products containing benzocaine, such as Orajel or Anbesol, saying there is evidence of links to a dangerous and potentially fatal blood condition.
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