Also known as benzocaine, Orajel is a topical anesthetic used mainly to deal with minor pain. Most people opt for Orajel to alleviate pain from toothaches, but you may not know that it has many other specialized applications. This topical anesthetic works by interrupting the pain signals. You experience pain when sodium enters the neuron and sends signals to the brain, but Orajel keeps the sodium form entering the neuron to stop pain. While it may prove effective in most cases, many people have several concerns regarding Orajel, like if it's safe for pregnancy.

Is Orajel Safe for Pregnancy?

Placed in Category C by the FDA, there is not enough evidence to consider Orajel safe during pregnancy. However, it is important to keep in mind that there is no study either that shows any negative effects of using Orajel in pregnancy. In the United States, a product needs to go through rigorous testing procedures to be considered 'safe' during pregnancy, which is why Orajel is considered safe in many countries.

You may consider using Orajel if you feel that its potential benefits outweigh its potential risks. What it means is that you may use Orajel if you are in severe pain and nothing else has proven effective.

Natural Alternatives to Orajel

Is Orajel safe for pregnancy? You ask. The answer depends on your unique circumstances. However, you do not always need to rely on Orajel to relieve pain, as there are many other natural alternatives too. For instance:

1. Chew on a Clove

You can treat your sore tooth with the help of a clove. You simply need to chew on it and its oil will penetrate into your tooth to offer relief. Clove oil has natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which is why it helps with your toothache. Avoid commercial grade clove oil, as it can damage your nerve.

2. Try a Saline Solution

Take a glass of warm water and add a teaspoon of salt to it. Mix well and gargle with this solution. It soothes your irritated tooth and also eliminates bacteria and stuck food particles.

3. Apply a Cold Compress

Both hot and cold compresses help soothe your nerve pain. Wrap a few ice cubes in a clean cloth and apply it to the affected area. While it works, you may get temporary relief only.

4. Use a Tea Rinse

Is Orajel safe for pregnancy? In most cases, it is. However, if you're still worried, you can opt for black tea for this purpose. Boil some black tea in water and leave it for a while. Now, rinse with it. You can simply dip a bag of black tea in warm water and then gargle with it for relief.

5. Try Some Peppermint

You can use peppermint leaves to help deal with your toothache. The juice of peppermint leaves has pain-relieving properties. Not only does it reduce pain, it also helps lift your mood. Take a few mint leaves and boil them. Now, drink the tea twice a day. You can also gargle with it for relief.

6. Use the Juice of a Raw Onion

It contains antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that prove effective against toothache. Simply take a piece of raw onion and place it at the affected area. Alternatively, you can soak a piece of cotton in onion juice and place it on the affected tooth. Chewing on a piece of raw onion produces great results in 3 minutes only.

7. Go for Spinach Leaves

Here is another reason to have spinach in your home: it has pain-relieving properties and is effective against toothache. Take a few spinach leaves, wash them thoroughly, and chew them between the affected teeth.

8. Try Basil to Relieve Toothache

Take a few bail leaves, crush them nicely along with peppercorns, and make a smooth paste. Apply it directly to your affected tooth. Simply chewing on the basil can also help relieve your toothache.