What do Orajel products treat?
Orajel products are used to treat mouth pain, including cold sores (fever blisters) and canker sores. Cold sores are caused by a virus called herpes simplex virus (HSV), which can cause redness or swelling on or near your lips. Canker sores are small ulcers or bumps in your mouth that can be caused by a few different things including stress, certain foods, or certain medicines. A sore mouth can also be caused by cheek bites or irritation from braces or dentures.
Some Orajel products can help with gum and tooth pain. Gum pain may happen from a few different reasons including gum disease, using tobacco, or brushing too hard. Tooth pain may be caused by certain foods that may impact your enamel such as citrus, soda, or hard candy, or from teeth grinding and cavities. If tooth pain does not go away, check with your dentist.
Orajel products can contain a variety of active ingredients, such as the following.
- Topical antiseptic (hydrogen peroxide, benzalkonium chloride), which is used to help lower your risk of infection by reducing bacteria and helping to remove phlegm or mucus
- Topical anesthetic (benzocaine, camphor, menthol, benzyl alcohol), which is used to help with pain
- Skin protectant (allantoin, dimethicone, white petrolatum), which is used for hydration and protection
- Oral astringent (zinc chloride), which can help with inflammation
There are Orajel products for adults and children as young as 2 years old. If your child is using an Orajel product, supervise them while using it.
What are the possible side effects of Orajel products?
Orajel products are generally well tolerated. Side effects may vary depending on the ingredients in the specific product you are using.
Orajel products that contain benzocaine may cause a rare but serious blood disorder called methemoglobinemia, which can cause your blood to carry less oxygen to your tissues. Stop using the product and call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.
- Pale, gray, or blue skin
- Headache
- Fast heartbeat
- Trouble breathing
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Tiredness or lack of energy
Do not use an Orajel product that contains a local anesthetic called benzocaine if you have an allergy or a history of an allergy to other local anesthetics, including procaine, butacaine, benzocaine, or other “-caine” anesthetics. This may increase your risk of having an allergic reaction.
Stop using the product if you develop a rash or hives. Get medical help right away if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as trouble breathing or swelling of the face, lips, or throat.
What should I know before using Orajel products?
Do not use Orajel products for children who are teething.
If you are using an Orajel product that is a mouth rinse, swish the rinse in your mouth for at least 1 minute and spit it out. Do not swallow the rinse. If more than the amount used for rinsing is accidentally swallowed, get medical help right away.
Stop using Orajel and call your health care provider if your symptoms do not get better in 7 days. Also call them if your symptoms clear up and come back again or you develop swelling, rash, or a fever. You also want to call your health care provider if you have irritation, pain, or redness that does not get better or gets worse.
There may be side effects, additional warnings, and interactions with other medicines that are not listed here. These may vary depending on the combination of ingredients in the specific Orajel product you are using. Always check the label before taking any over-the-counter medicine. Do not use more than the recommended amount. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your health conditions and other medicines to help determine which products are safe for you.
Which Orajel product is right for me?
Cold Sore Pain Relief
Orajel Cold Sore Fast Acting Touch-Free Liquid
- Active ingredients: benzalkonium chloride 0.13%, benzocaine 5%
- Cautions: flammable (do not use near flame or fire) and may not work well if you brush your teeth with toothpaste or drink soft drinks or fruit juices within 1 hour of use
- Product features: touch-free applicator
Orajel 6x Medicated Cold Sore Fast Acting Cream
- Active ingredients: allantoin 0.5%, benzocaine 20%, camphor 3%, dimethicone 2%, menthol 1%, white petrolatum 64%
- Product features: temporarily relieves pain and dryness and softens scabs
Orajel Cold Sore Fast Acting Cream
- Active ingredients: benzocaine 20%, white petrolatum 73.64%
- Product features: temporarily relieves pain, itching, and dryness and softens scabs
Mouth and Canker Sore Pain Relief
Orajel 3X Medicated For All Mouth Sores Gel
- Active ingredients: benzocaine 20%, menthol 0.1%, zinc chloride 0.15%
Orajel 2X Medicated For All Mouth Sores Rinse
- Active ingredients: hydrogen peroxide 1.5%, menthol 0.1%
Orajel 2X Medicated Alcohol-Free For All Mouth Sores Rinse
- Active ingredients: hydrogen peroxide 1.5%, menthol 0.1%
- Product features: alcohol-free
Toothache and Gum Pain Relief
Orajel 4x Medicated Toothache and Gum Cream
- Active ingredients: benzalkonium chloride 0.13%, benzocaine 20%, menthol 0.26%, zinc chloride 0.15%
- Cautions: may not work well if you brush your teeth with toothpaste or drink soft drinks or fruit juices within 1 hour of use
Orajel PM 4x Medicated Toothache and Gum Cream
- Active ingredients: benzalkonium chloride 0.13%, benzocaine 20%, menthol 0.26%, zinc chloride 0.15%
- Cautions: may not work well if you brush your teeth with toothpaste or drink soft drinks or fruit juices within 1 hour of use
- Product features: has chamomile
Orajel 4X Medicated For Toothache and Gum Gel
- Benzalkonium chloride 0.13%, benzocaine 20%, menthol 0.26%, zinc chloride 0.15%
- Cautions: may not work well if you brush your teeth with toothpaste or drink soft drinks or fruit juices within 1 hour of use
Orajel 3X Medicated For Toothache and Gum Relief Gel
- Active ingredients: benzocaine 20%, menthol 0.26%, zinc chloride 0.15%
Orajel 3X Medicated For Gum Pain Gel
- Active ingredients: benzocaine 20%, menthol 0.26%, zinc chloride 0.15%
Orajel 2X Medicated For Toothache and Mouth Sores Liquid
- Active ingredients: benzocaine 20%, menthol 0.1%
- Cautions: flammable (do not use near flame or fire)
Orajel 2X Medicated Toothache Rinse
- Active ingredients: benzyl alcohol, zinc chloride 0.15%
Orajel 2X Medicated For Toothache and Gum Gel
- Active ingredients: benzocaine 10%
- Caution: Only use for toothache until a physician or dentist can be seen
Orajel 2X Medicated Alcohol-Free Gum Pain Rinse
- Active ingredients: hydrogen peroxide 1.5%, menthol 0.1%
Orajel Toothache and Gum Pain Rescue Relief Pen
- Active ingredients: benzocaine 20%, menthol 0.26%, zinc chloride 0.15%
- Product features: touch-free