Amber teething necklaces don’t work on any timeline. Despite widespread claims that they relieve teething pain within hours or days, no scientific evidence supports the idea that amber releases pain-relieving compounds into a baby’s skin. The necklaces are marketed with a specific biological story that, when tested in a lab, falls apart at every step.
The Claim Behind Amber Necklaces
Sellers of amber teething necklaces say that Baltic amber contains succinic acid, a natural compound believed to have anti-inflammatory properties. The idea is that your baby’s body heat warms the beads enough to release succinic acid, which then absorbs through the skin and into the bloodstream, reducing the pain and inflammation of teething. Some retailers go further, claiming the necklaces stimulate the thyroid gland to control drooling and boost the immune system to reduce inflammation in the ears, throat, stomach, and respiratory system.
This sounds plausible enough to convince a sleep-deprived parent. But each link in that chain has been tested, and none of them hold up.
What Lab Testing Actually Found
A study published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine put the core claims to the test. Researchers first confirmed that commercially sold amber teething necklaces are genuine Baltic amber, so the beads themselves aren’t fake. But that’s where the good news ends.
When whole amber beads were submerged in solutions designed to mimic human skin conditions (including a solution matching skin’s pH of 5.5), they did not release any measurable succinic acid. The only exception was light-colored beads placed in a fat-simulating solvent, and those beads broke into tiny fragments in the process. Body heat simply isn’t enough to coax succinic acid out of solid amber.
The researchers also tested whether succinic acid, if it somehow did reach the body, would reduce inflammation. They exposed human immune cells to succinic acid and measured the release of several inflammatory signals. Succinic acid showed no consistent reduction in any of the inflammatory markers tested. At high concentrations, it was actually toxic to the cells. The study’s conclusion was blunt: there is no evidence that succinic acid can be released from the beads into human skin, and no evidence that succinic acid has anti-inflammatory properties in the first place.
Why Parents Think They Work
Teething is unpredictable. Babies go through fussy periods and calm periods regardless of what they’re wearing. When a parent puts on an amber necklace during a rough patch and the baby settles down a few hours or days later, the necklace gets the credit. This is a textbook example of coincidence being mistaken for cause and effect.
Teething symptoms also tend to peak right before a tooth breaks through the gum, then improve quickly afterward. If the necklace goes on near that peak, the natural resolution of symptoms can look like the necklace “kicking in.” Placebo effects play a role too, not for the baby, but for the parent. When you believe something is helping, you may interpret your baby’s behavior more positively.
Safety Risks Are Real
While the benefits are unsupported, the risks are documented. Both the FDA and the American Academy of Pediatrics warn against teething jewelry of any kind. The dangers are twofold: strangulation if the necklace catches on something, and choking if beads break loose.
A case report published through Cambridge University Press described a previously healthy four-month-old who was brought to the emergency department after his first night sleeping with an amber teething necklace. He woke with a petechial rash on his face, a sign of restricted blood flow caused by the necklace pressing against his neck. The necklace had been fitted by store personnel and his parents reported it was “not tight.” Health Canada has issued two consumer product safety warnings about teething necklaces, in 2001 and 2013, specifically calling out strangulation and choking hazards for children under three.
Manufacturers often counter these concerns by pointing to safety features like knotted beads and breakaway clasps. But researchers reviewing these products noted that none of the manufacturers they examined explicitly listed strangulation or aspiration as potential risks on their packaging.
What Actually Helps With Teething Pain
The AAP and FDA recommend a few straightforward approaches. Gently rubbing or massaging your baby’s gums with a clean finger provides direct pressure that can ease discomfort. A solid rubber teething ring (not liquid-filled, not frozen) gives babies something safe to chew on, which helps with the pressure and itching sensation of teeth pushing through. If the ring is too hard or too cold, it can actually hurt swollen gums, so room temperature and firm rubber are the sweet spot.
These methods aren’t glamorous, but they’re the ones with both evidence behind them and no risk of a trip to the emergency room.