The FDA issued a a warning in April, regarding topical benzocaine in young children and infants. Benzocaine is the active ingredient in over-the-counter teething gels for babies, as well as various sore-throat sprays and other products used to reduce pain in the mouth and gums. Benzocaine use may cause a rare, but serious condition where the amount of oxygen that can be carried through the blood stream is greatly reduced. This condition is called "methemoglobinemia".

They are now recommending that these products SHOULD NOT be used in children under age 2 years, unless recommended and supervised by a healthcare professional and then only sparingly, only when needed, and no more than four times daily. See the FDA's bulletin and Q&A for more information and a list of products.