Amber and Teething Pain

Amber necklaces for teething are becoming one of the popular and trendy remedies for teething pain. Is there any scientific evidence that supports these claims?

Many parents in search of non-drug remedies for teething pain have chosen Baltic Amber Teething Necklaces as an alternative. Amber jewelry, especially Baltic Amber, has been thought to relieve pain and inflammation for generations. Two plausible, but unproven theories, between amber and teething pain are that amber contains a chemical substance that leeches into our bodies when we wear amber jewelry and that substance reduces pain. The second theory assumes that amber is electromagnetically charged, This negative charge produces negative ionization on the skin surface which creates a anti-inflammatory effect on our bodies and babies' gums.

Teething Pains are Hard on Everyone!

Succinic Acid and Succinates are found in Amber

Succinic Acid occurs naturally in our body and biochemists believe that it is a powerful anti-oxident that could help keep us young and healthy, an analgesic which dulls pain and an antibiotic which kills germs. The theory is that Succinic Acid and other Succinates are able to transfer from the amber jewelry or teething beads and into our bodies.

This is where science and the alternative medicine proponents part ways. Scientists see no way for this transfer to occur. And quite frankly this is where I wonder, why are some parents so willing to put their faith in an untested and unmeasured substance that could affect their children's biochemistry - just the same way that mainstream medicine does. If there is a way for amber to transfer beneficial substances to babies - how much is effective and is it safe?

Her Son Has an Amber Teething Necklace

She's Willing to Consider a Link between Amber and Teething, But She's Still Using Tylenol As Well

Dr. Andrew Weill a leading proponent of integrative medicine was asked his opinion of amber teething necklaces. He deferred to Tieraona Low Dog, M.D., director of the fellowship at the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine. Dog is also an expert on botanical medicine. She finds no evidence in modern science that amber teething beads work. In fact she questions the wisdom of putting necklaces made of small beads on babies. She instead recommends a soothing frozen chamomile tea. Put a few of the frozen tea cubes in a cloth and let the baby suck or chew on them.

How to Make Tieraona Low Dog's Frozen Chamomille Tea

1. Take 2 teabags of Chamomlle tea and steep in 1 cup of hot water for at least 10 minutes.
2. Remove the tea bags.
3. Add 1/4 cup of apple juice or grape juice.
4. Freeze the tea and juice blend in an ice cube tray.

Tieraona Low Dog also recommends relieving pain by letting your baby chew on a damp wash cloth that's been placed in the freezer for 30 minutes. (Wash after each use.)

Updated: 12/30/2011, Digby_Adams

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Jenna Richell on 05/11/2012

My sister is having another baby soon and she had a hard time seeing her first baby go through teething stages. She's now wondering what she could do to alleviate that problem. I've been helping her to look for solutions and stumbled on Amber Teething Necklaces from OZsavers. Are they worth their prices do you think?