JB writes: “My grand-daughter is wearing an necklace made of amber crystals (maybe synthetic – who knows?). This is purported to be an old European cure for teething, and the fever/irritability that go along with same. My research says that the amber lies against the skin, soaks into the skin, and somehow alters body acidity. I feel this is a New Age amulet, but can’t really prove it. All reports on the Net say it works wonderfully.”
The use of amber teething necklaces has long been a part of the New Age alternative market. As for amber stones in particular, they are believed to be a natural analgesic that New Age enthusiast describe as being electromagnetically alive with organic energy that produces a kind of negative ionization on the skin’s surface. They believe these negative ions help in the prevention of illness.
Other explanations are that the crystals act as a bio-transmitter comparable to aromatherapy and homeopathy, that body warmth releases healing oils from the stones, and that chewing amber releases succinic acid.
As you might have guessed, none of the above has any scientific backing, except for the last statement that amber contains succinic acid. Succinic acid is indeed an anti-inflammatory from which “spirit of amber” was once distilled, but there is no evidence that wearing the stones around the neck can release succinic acid.
It’s true that amber contains succinic acid but, according to the FDA, claims that its anti-inflammatory qualities are released into the bloodstream of infants who chew or suck on them has not been evaluated for safety and effectiveness.
In fact, chewing or sucking on these stones, and wearing them on a necklace, are serious risk factors for parents to consider and are the reason why the FDA issued an official warning in 2018.
“The risks of using jewelry for relieving teething pain include choking, strangulation, injury to the mouth and infection. Choking can happen if the jewelry breaks and a small bead enters the child’s throat or airway. Strangulation can occur if a necklace is wrapped too tightly around the child’s neck or if the necklace catches an object such as a crib,” the FDA states. “Other concerns include injury to the mouth or infection if a piece of the jewelry irritates or pierces the child’s gums.”
The American Academy of Pediatrics also warns against the use of amber teething necklaces and cites cases of Infants who were nearly strangled or have choked on the jewelry when beads broke off. In one case, an18-month-old died after being strangled by an amber necklace during a nap.
The Academy advises: “To soothe teething infants, massage their gums or give them rubber teething rings that are not frozen. Never use over-the-counter, homeopathic or natural pain relief gels or teething tablets. They contain benzocaine, lidocaine or belladonna, which can be harmful or deadly for infants.”
Parents in search of natural ways to soothe teething pain are warned not to be influenced by the dramatic claims of New Age sellers of these necklaces, none of which have been substantiated by science.
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