General Questions
A: All babies start to teethe at different times and for different durations – unfortunately, there is no set pattern. Teething usually begins around 6 months of age, but it is normal for teething to start at any time between 3 months and 12 months of age. By the time your child is about 3 years old, s/he will have all 20 primary teeth. (http://children.webmd.com/tc/teething-topic-overview)
Q: How can I tell that my baby is teething?
A: The symptoms of teething vary from child to child. A teething baby may experience any of the following symptoms: irritability, drooling, chin rash, biting and gnawing, diarrhea, low-grade fever, and wakefulness at night – or none at all. Check with your doctor if you are unsure if your child is showing symptoms of teething.
How to Use Hyland’s Teething Products
A: Hyland’s Teething Tablets and Teething Gel are formulated for babies of all ages – starting with infants. You can safely give your child these medicines at any age.
Q: What is the difference between Teething Tablets and Teething Gel?
A: Hyland’s Teething Tablets and Teething Gel are two different dosage forms that share the same active ingredients. Hyland’s Teething Tablets are quick-dissolving tablets that melt instantly in a baby’s mouth upon contact with saliva. Hyland’s Teething Gel is administered directly to the gums for on-the-spot relief of teething pain.
Q: Can I give my baby these products along with Tylenol or Motrin?
A: Yes, you can safely give Hyland’s homeopathic medicines with other medicines you may be giving your child. They will not interact with these or any other medicines, either prescription and non-prescription.
Q: How quickly do they work?
A: Each child will react differently to the tablets; some will receive immediate relief, while it can take longer for other babies to experience relief. We recommend that you give the tablets to your child 2 to 3 tablets under the tongue or in a teaspoon of water, 4 times per day. If the child is restless or wakeful, give 2 tablets every hour for 6 hours. If, after 24-48 hours, you do not see a change in your child, discontinue use and seek another product or the advice of a licensed health care provider.
Q: My baby fell asleep – are Hyland’s teething products sedatives?
A: No, they are not sedatives. Children often fall asleep after using these teething products because their pain has been relieved and after much crying or being upset, they can finally rest and sleep.
Q: What do they taste like?
A: Hyland’s Teething Tablets and Teething Gel are not flavored, and most people report they don’t taste like anything other than faintly sweet.
Using Hyland’s Teething Tablets
A: As with all medications, you should read and follow label instructions. Dissolve 2 to 3 tablets under the tongue or in a teaspoon of water, 4 times per day. If the child is restless or wakeful, give 2 tablets every hour for 6 doses or as recommended by a licensed health care practitioner.
The dosing for Hyland’s teething medications is not dependent on a child’s age or weight, unlike other medicines. Dosing is the same for babies and children of all ages.
Q: How often can I give the tablets to my child? What is the risk of overdosing?
A: In acute cases of teething pain, you can give your child 2 to 3 tablets for up to 6 doses per day or as recommended by a licensed health care practitioner. If you do not see improvement within 24-48 hours, stop giving the tablets and consult a licensed health care professional. It is virtually impossible to overdose on the tablets; read the section on Product Safety.
Q: How do I give the tablets to my child?
A: Hyland’s Teething Tablets are small, “soft” tablets that dissolve instantly in the mouth. You just need to put the tablets in your child’s mouth and they will dissolve. If you are uncomfortable with putting the tablets in your child’s mouth, the tablets may first be dissolved in a teaspoonful of water and then given to the child.
Q: Won’t my baby choke on the tablets?
A: No, Hyland’s Teething Tablets dissolve instantly in the moisture of the mouth, so there is no choking hazard at all with the tablets. You may wish to give your child a sip of water to assure the mouth is moist before giving them the tablets.
Q: Do the Teething Tablets expire?
A: No, they don’t expire, and we don’t put expiration dates on the products, as they have been exempted from expiration dating guidelines by the FDA (CFR 211.137). The numbers that are imprinted on the edge of the labels are lot numbers – so we know exactly when the product was produced. We can track any product we made using that number.
P: How do I give the tablets to my child?
R: Hyland’s Teething Tablets are small, “soft” tablets that dissolve instantly in the mouth. You just need to put the tablets in your child’s mouth and they will dissolve. If you are uncomfortable with putting the tablets in your child’s mouth, the tablets may first be dissolved in a teaspoonful of water and then given to the child.
Q: Won’t my baby choke on the tablets?
A: No, Hyland’s Teething Tablets dissolve instantly in the moisture of the mouth, so there is no choking hazard at all with the tablets. You may wish to give your child a sip of water to assure the mouth is moist before giving them the tablets.
Using Hyland’s Teething Gel
A: Wash hands before applying. For children of all ages, apply ¼” ribbon of Teething Gel on your finger and carefully rub onto child’s gum every 15 minutes as needed. If symptoms persist for more than seven days or worsen, discontinue use and contact your health care provider.
Q: How often can I give my child Teething Gel?
A: For acute teething pain, apply Teething Gel every 15 minutes until symptoms decrease.
Q: What is the risk of overdosing on Hyland’s Teething Gel?
A: There is very little risk of overdosing. Hyland’s Teething Gel contains the homeopathic medicine Belladonna, which is used to treat inflammation on the gum. Belladonna is used by conventional medicine in a very different form, in much larger doses, and can have significant side effects, requiring the medicine to be dispensed by prescription. Conventional medicine extracts the “Belladonna alkaloids” from the plant rather than using the whole plant, and uses the alkaloids in doses of 0.5 to 2.0 mg as an antispasmodic. In Hyland’s Teething Gel the pure Belladonna whole plant is diluted by a ration of 1:10, 12 times serially in order to prepare the Teething Gel, so the amount of Belladonna whole plant is very small (less that 1 part per billion). This compares to the 0.00000003 mg Belladonna alkaloid in an entire 1/3 oz. tube of Teething Gel, or 0.000000045 mg in an entire ½ oz. tube, which gives it a large margin of safety. The product will not produce any toxicity even if multiple tubes are ingested at one time.
Q: Does Hyland’s Teething Gel contain parabens?
A: Hyland’s old Teething Gel formula, found in 1/3 oz. tubes, does use parabens as a preservative. In response to consumer feedback, Hyland’s research and development team spent two years perfecting an all-natural preservative system that is paraben-free. Hyland’s new paraben-free Teething Gel – which contains the same homeopathic active ingredients as before, but in a new all-natural preservative system – can be purchased in ½ oz. value size tubes.
The new Teething Gel formula begins shipping April 15, 2009 and should be available on store shelves a few weeks thereafter. After April 15, 2009, Hyland’s will no longer produce Teething Gel using a paraben preservative system. You might still see it in store shelves: it will be distinguished by the 1/3 oz. size. Specifically, all 1/3 oz. Hyland’s Teething Gel contain parabens while all ½ oz. Teething Gel is paraben-free.
Product Safety
A: Do not panic. Homeopathic medicines are very safe, non-toxic, and have a very large margin of safety. It is unlikely your child could overdose on any homeopathic medicine.
We care about your child, and our consumers’ safety is our #1 priority. For that reason, we have pharmacists available around the clock (24 hours per day, 7 days per week. After business hours, you will hear a recording – just follow the directions and a pharmacist will return your call promptly.) to provide emergency information related to any of our products. You can contact us at 1-800-624-9659 (number also available on all packaging).
Hyland’s products are also listed with Regional Poison Control Centers. Most are well informed on the margin of safety of homeopathic medicines if you have one to call in your area.
Q: Is there any danger of overdose with Hyland’s teething products?
A: Because the active ingredients in Hyland’s teething products are formulated in trace amounts, it’s nearly impossible for a child to ingest enough to cause a negative reaction.
To put homeopathic dosages in perspective, typically a 10-pound child would need to ingest 1,000 Hyland’s Teething Tablets (at least 6 bottles of 125 tablets) to exhibit even the first possible side effect. Hyland’s Teething Tablets have been safely used by millions of children since being introduced to the U.S. market in 1945! Click here to see what actual parents have to say about Hyland’s Teething Tablets.
Q: Why don’t Hyland’s homeopathic medicines have tamper-resistant caps?
A: Because they are completely safe. The active ingredients in our homeopathic medicines are formulated in such minute amounts that a child would have to ingest a vast amount – thousands of doses in most cases – in order to have a negative reaction.
Formula
A: No, neither Hyland’s Teething Tablets nor Teething Gel contain Benzocaine, the common ingredient used to numb gums in conventional teething gels. Hyland’s teething products contain all-natural homeopathic medicines that work with the body to relieve the symptoms of teething pain in children — without numbing anything.
Q: What’s in the tablets and gel that makes them work?
A: Hyland’s Teething Tablets and Teething Gel contain the following active medicines for the relief of the symptoms of teething pain:
Calcarea Phosphorica (a mineral) that supports dentition (teething)
Chamomilla (a botanical) relieves the symptoms of irritability
Coffea Cruda (a botanical) relieves the symptoms of wakefulness and diuresis
Belladonna (a botanical) relieves the symptoms of redness and inflammation of the gums
These ingredients are all prepared in accordance with the Homeopathic Pharmacopœia of the United States (HPUS). HPUS has been recognized by the FDA since 1938 as the official compendium (or formula book) for homeopathic medicine in the U.S. When homeopathically prepared, active ingredients are diluted to the point that the risk of toxicity is extremely low.
Q: Is Belladonna toxic?
A: Actually, as a plant that grows in nature, Belladonna can be toxic when ingested in significant doses. Homeopathic Belladonna is not toxic. Because we use microdoses, and the original plant matter is highly diluted in the manufacturing process, it is very safe and non-toxic. In fact, if a child were to swallow an entire bottle at one time of Hyland’s Teething Tablets which contain homeopathic Belladonna, he or she would not experience any side effects.
Long Answer:
Belladonna is included in our teething formulas to ease the redness, inflammation and discomfort of the child’s gum that often occurs during the teething process. Belladonna 3X HPUS is manufactured from the whole plant, of which a small portion is Belladonna alkaloids (the component sometimes associated with side effects). Each Teething Tablet (which weighs about 65 mg) is composed of 0.0003% Belladonna alkaloids as stated on the label. This means that each complete teething tablet contains only approximately 0.0002 mg of Belladonna alkaloids.
The amount of Belladonna alkaloids in teething tablets is minuscule, especially when compared to conventional medicine. Conventional medicines typically use 0.2 to 5 mg of Belladonna alkaloids per tablet as an anti-spasmodic – roughly 1,000 to 25,000 times larger than the quantities used in Hyland’s Teething Tablets. The side effects sometimes caused by conventional medicines delivering more than 0.2 mg of Belladonna alkaloids – such as dry mouth, blurred vision and urinary retention – are not associated with homeopathic medicines because of their minute dosage.
Q: Do Hyland’s Teething Tablets contain caffeine?
A: Hyland’s Teething Tablets and Teething Gel contain a very small dose of caffeine well below the dose necessary to cause nervous stimulation. The caffeine comes from an extract of unroasted coffee beans, Coffea Cruda 3X HPUS.
Coffee beans contain between 1% and 2% caffeine. The caffeine dose in Hyland’s Tablets does not exceed 0.0013 mg per tablet. A cup of coffee contains about 100mg of caffeine, so you would need to take about 75,000 Hyland’s Teething Tablets to get as much caffeine as in one cup of coffee.
Q: Why do Hyland’s Teething Tablets contain Coffea?
A: Homeopathic Coffea has been shown to reduce irritability in teething children. Since most children who are teething suffer from wakefulness and irritability, this component in Hyland’s Teething Tablets has offered symptomatic relief to millions of children over the last 60 years.
Q: Are the tablets and gel sugar free?
A: Yes. They are free from table sugar, also known as sucrose.
Q: Does Hyland’s Teething Gel contain parabens?
A: Hyland’s old Teething Gel formula, found in 1/3 oz. tubes, does use parabens as a preservative. In response to consumer feedback, Hyland’s research and development team spent two years perfecting an all-natural preservative system that is paraben-free. Hyland’s new paraben-free Teething Gel – which contains the same homeopathic active ingredients as before, but in a new all-natural preservative system – can be purchased in value size ½ oz. tubes.
The new Teething Gel formula begins shipping April 15, 2009 and should be available on store shelves a few weeks thereafter. After April 15, 2009, Hyland’s will no longer produce Teething Gel using a paraben preservative system. You might still see it in store shelves; it will be distinguished by the 1/3 oz. size. Specifically, all 1/3 oz. Hyland’s Teething Gel contain parabens while all ½ oz. Teething Gel is paraben-free.
You can also order Hyland’s paraben-free Teething Gel by calling 1-800-234-8879.
Q: Do Hyland’s Teething Tablets and Teething Gel contain benzocaine? Do they numb the gums?
A: No, neither Hyland’s Teething Tablets nor Teething Gel contain Benzocaine, the common ingredient used to numb gums in conventional teething gels. Hyland’s teething products contain all-natural homeopathic medicines that work with the body to relieve the symptoms of teething pain in children — without numbing anything.
These ingredients are all prepared in accordance with the Homeopathic Pharmacopœia of the United States (HPUS). HPUS has been recognized by the FDA since 1938 as the official compendium (or formula book) for homeopathic medicine in the U.S. When homeopathically prepared, active ingredients are diluted to the point that the risk of toxicity is extremely low.
Q: Is Belladonna toxic?
A: Actually, as a plant that grows in nature, Belladonna can be toxic when ingested in significant doses. Homeopathic Belladonna is not toxic. Because we use microdoses, and the original plant matter is highly diluted in the manufacturing process, it is very safe and non-toxic. In fact, if a child were to swallow an entire bottle at one time of Hyland’s Teething Tablets which contain homeopathic Belladonna, he or she would not experience any side effects.
Long Answer:
Belladonna is included in our teething formulas to ease the redness, inflammation and discomfort of the child’s gum that often occurs during the teething process. Belladonna 3X HPUS is manufactured from the whole plant, of which a small portion is Belladonna alkaloids (the component sometimes associated with side effects). Each Teething Tablet (which weighs about 65 mg) is composed of 0.0003% Belladonna alkaloids as stated on the label. This means that each complete teething tablet contains only approximately 0.0002 mg of Belladonna alkaloids.
The amount of Belladonna alkaloids in teething tablets is minuscule, especially when compared to conventional medicine. Conventional medicines typically use 0.2 to 5 mg of Belladonna alkaloids per tablet as an anti-spasmodic – roughly 1,000 to 25,000 times larger than the quantities used in Hyland’s Teething Tablets. The side effects sometimes caused by conventional medicines delivering more than 0.2 mg of Belladonna alkaloids – such as dry mouth, blurred vision and urinary retention – are not associated with homeopathic medicines because of their minute dosage.
Q: Do Hyland’s Teething Tablets contain caffeine?
A: Hyland’s Teething Tablets and Teething Gel contain a very small dose of caffeine well below the dose necessary to cause nervous stimulation. The caffeine comes from an extract of unroasted coffee beans, Coffea Cruda 3X HPUS.
Coffee beans contain between 1% and 2% caffeine. The caffeine dose in Hyland’s Tablets does not exceed 0.0013 mg per tablet. A cup of coffee contains about 100mg of caffeine, so you would need to take about 75,000 Hyland’s Teething Tablets to get as much caffeine as in one cup of coffee.
Q: Why do Hyland’s Teething Tablets contain Coffea?
A: Homeopathic Coffea has been shown to reduce irritability in teething children. Since most children who are teething suffer from wakefulness and irritability, this component in Hyland’s Teething Tablets has offered symptomatic relief to millions of children over the last 60 years.
Q: Are the tablets and gel sugar free?
A: Yes. They are free from table sugar, also known as sucrose.
Q: Does Hyland’s Teething Gel contain parabens?
A: Hyland’s old Teething Gel formula, found in 1/3 oz. tubes, does use parabens as a preservative. In response to consumer feedback, Hyland’s research and development team spent two years perfecting an all-natural preservative system that is paraben-free. Hyland’s new paraben-free Teething Gel – which contains the same homeopathic active ingredients as before, but in a new all-natural preservative system – can be purchased in value size ½ oz. tubes.
The new Teething Gel formula begins shipping April 15, 2009 and should be available on store shelves a few weeks thereafter. After April 15, 2009, Hyland’s will no longer produce Teething Gel using a paraben preservative system. You might still see it in store shelves; it will be distinguished by the 1/3 oz. size. Specifically, all 1/3 oz. Hyland’s Teething Gel contain parabens while all ½ oz. Teething Gel is paraben-free.
You can also order Hyland’s paraben-free Teething Gel by calling 1-800-234-8879.
Dairy and Lactose Intolerance, Other Allergies
A: No. The inactive ingredient in Hyland’s Teething Tablets, “Lactose N.F.” (stands for “National Formulary”), is a pharmaceutical grade lactose. While it is formulated from cow’s milk, it is completely purified of milk proteins, making it safe for lactose intolerant and dairy allergic people, including infants and children.
People who are lactose intolerant have not yet developed the enzymes to digest lactose. Our products contain about 64 milligrams of lactose (the sugar from cow’s milk - no protein is used) per tablet. While everyone is different, most lactose intolerant individuals need to ingest 5000 mg of lactose before they experience symptoms of intolerance. With this large margin of safety, there is rarely a problem with our products when being used as directed on the label. If your physician has determined that you are specifically “Allergic to Lactose”, you should avoid our tablets. If you are very concerned, seek the advice of a licensed health care professional before using this product.
Hyland’s Teething Gel is completely lactose-free.
Q: I thought you can’t give milk to babies until they are 1 year old. How can I give them lactose-based tablets?
A: The lactose base is a milk sugar, and not the proteins found in dairy products that are difficult for babies younger than 1 year old to break down. They are safe for use with the youngest infants and are not considered a dairy product.
Q: Can any other inactive ingredients cause allergic reactions?
A: Hyland’s Teething Gel is free of artificial flavors and dyes that may cause allergic reactions in children. However, if you know your child is allergic to an ingredient in the product, you should not use it.
Q: I thought you can’t give milk to babies until they are 1 year old. How can I give them lactose-based tablets?
A: The lactose base is a milk sugar, and not the proteins found in dairy products that are difficult for babies younger than 1 year old to break down. They are safe for use with the youngest infants and are not considered a dairy product.
Q: Can any other inactive ingredients cause allergic reactions?
A: Hyland’s Teething Gel is free of artificial flavors and dyes that may cause allergic reactions in children. However, if you know your child is allergic to an ingredient in the product, you should not use it.
Homeopathic Medicines
A: Yes, the manufacturing and marketing of Hyland’s homeopathic medicines are regulated as drugs by the FDA. The FDA has regulated homeopathic medicines since 1938, as required in the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. The production of Hyland’s homeopathic medicines occurs within a validated process, as with any FDA-regulated drug, to ensure an accepted level of consistency in product output.
Q: Are these herbal products?
A: No, these are not herbs, which use a larger quantity of plant material per dose. Homeopathic medicines use a minute dose of plant or mineral substance to address symptoms. And unlike herbal supplements which are regulated as foods, the FDA accepts homeopathic products as drugs. As drugs, homeopathic products must be manufactured in compliance with the FDA finished pharmaceutical Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) regulations for cleanliness, quality and testing; the FDA regularly inspects manufacturers for compliance. All Hyland’s manufacturing facilities are inspected by the FDA.P: ¿Están regulados los productos de Hyland’s?
Buying Hyland’s
A: These products are available at finer health food stores, groceries, pharmacies, chain drug stores and mass merchandisers nationwide. Click on the Store Locator button to find a store near you.
Q: What other medicines does Hyland’s make for babies and children?
A: Hyland’s makes a complete line of all natural, safe, and effective medicines for children under 2, and for kids 2-12. These medicines address common childhood ailments from colic and earaches, to coughs, colds, and allergies. To view our baby & kids product catalog, visit www.hylands.com/babykidscatalog.php
For More Information
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Tuesday & Thursday: 1:00pm – 3:00pm – Pacific Time.
We can be reached at 800/624-9659.
If you would like to e-mail us, please direct your e-mail to shcinfo@hylands.com.
