Calcarea Phos for Teething? Pediatricians Warn Against the Homeopathic Trend

Teething: A Natural Developmental Phase

Teething in infants usually begins around 6 months of age on average (between 4 and 7 months of age) and continues until a child has a full set of 20 primary teeth usually by around age three. Initial symptoms may include biting, drooling, irritability, gum swelling, and a strong urge to chew on every object. 

The child may appear crankier than usual since they explore everything through their mouth and get frustrated when being denied by the parents. Some children, however, are less fussy than usual and may only exhibit drooling. Parents often feel compelled to try various remedies to ease their child’s discomfort. Mild discomfort is common and teething normally doesn't require any medical intervention.

Many parents mistakenly associate symptoms like fever and diarrhea with teething, but these are usually unrelated. These symptoms are more likely linked to infections or biting onto unhygienic surfaces.

Parents can help the children to alleviate the discomfort by simple methods (often described as safe teething remedies):

• Use clean rubber/silicone teething toys: make sure to keep them clean and wash/sanitize them regularly.

• Gently massage  the gums with a clean towel.

• Offer a clean, cold washcloth for the baby to chew on.

• Provide reassurance, comfort, and close monitoring. Consult a pediatrician if the baby shows excessive irritability, refuses to feed, or has unexplained fever.

In an Instagram reel, Dr. Nimisha Arora, MBBS, MD Pediatrics, MRCPCH (UK) explains typical teething symptoms and addresses a concerning trend among the parents: Use of Calcarea phos for making the teething process easier and faster. Dr. Arora explains this practice doesn't have any scientific evidence and both American Academy of Pediatrics and Indian Academy of Pediatrics condemn it.

What is Calcarea Phos?

Calcarea Phosphorica is a homeopathic remedy derived from calcium phosphate, an essential mineral for bone and teeth formation and overall growth and development. It is promoted for conditions related to weak or delayed growth, poor bone mineralization, and tissue repair. Calcarea Phos is prescribed by homeopathic practitioners for delayed and easier teething.

According to both the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), no scientific study has proven that homeopathic remedies like Calcarea Phos help teeth emerge faster or reduce pain. Both organizations recommend against their use for teething.

Risks of Homeopathic and Over-the-Counter Remedies

The FDA has issued warnings and asked consumers to stop  using homeopathic teething tablets, gels, or drops, as well as topical anesthetics containing benzocaine or lidocaine. These products, often marketed to soothe gum pain, pose serious health risks.

• Benzocaine (found in products like Orajel, Anbesol, and others) can cause methemoglobinemia, a rare but potentially fatal condition that reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen.

• Lidocaine in oral solutions, when swallowed or used excessively, can lead to seizures, heart problems, brain injury, or even death.

• Homeopathic teething tablets have been linked to inconsistent ingredients and reports of serious side effects in infants.

In addition, teething jewelry such as amber necklaces has caused cases of choking and strangulation. The American Academy of Pediatrics has explicitly warned against amber teething necklaces due to these risks. ¹

To conclude, teething is a natural process which doesn't need any medical intervention. Instead of unsafe or unproven methods, parents should focus on safe teething remedies, avoid teething myths, and remember that safe teething toys and other evidence-based comfort measures are far better than unregulated products.

References

1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “Safely Soothing Teething Pain in Infants and Children.” FDA Consumer Updates, June 26, 2024. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/safely-soothing-teething-pain-infants-and-children

2. Indian Academy of Pediatrics. Guidelines on Teething and Infant Care.

3. American Academy of Pediatrics. “Teething: Tips for Parents.”

_MSM