Anbesol and Orajel are essentially the same product. Both use benzocaine as their active ingredient, available in the same two concentrations: 10 percent (regular strength) and 20 percent (maximum strength). Neither brand has a meaningful clinical advantage over the other, so choosing between them comes down to specific formulations, flavor preferences, and price.
Why They Work the Same Way
Benzocaine is a topical anesthetic that temporarily blocks nerve signals in the tissue where you apply it. It does this by stopping sodium from flowing into nerve cells, which prevents those cells from firing pain signals to your brain. This mechanism is identical regardless of whether the benzocaine comes in an Anbesol tube or an Orajel tube.
Both brands have been on the market since well before modern over-the-counter regulations, with benzocaine itself used in oral products since 1903. The FDA classifies both as “generally recognized as safe and effective” for temporary relief of toothache pain, canker sores, minor mouth injuries, denture irritation, and discomfort from orthodontic appliances.
Where the Product Lines Differ
While the core pain-relief ingredient is the same, each brand offers slightly different specialty products. Orajel’s lineup includes an antiseptic mouth sore rinse containing hydrogen peroxide, which can help clean canker sores or minor wounds in the mouth. Anbesol tends to include secondary ingredients like an antiseptic and an astringent in some of its formulations, which may help with minor gum irritation beyond just numbing.
Both brands sell gels, liquids, and creams. Gels tend to stay in place better on a specific sore or tooth, while liquids can be easier to apply to hard-to-reach spots. If you’re treating a toothache, a gel applied directly to the painful area is typically the most practical choice from either brand.
How Long the Relief Lasts
Benzocaine starts numbing within about a minute of application. The effect is temporary, generally wearing off within 15 to 30 minutes depending on the concentration and how much saliva washes the product away. This is true for both Anbesol and Orajel at equivalent strengths.
For adults and children 2 years and older, the recommended dose is a pea-sized amount applied to the affected area up to four times daily. Reapplying more frequently than that increases the risk of side effects without providing better pain control. If you need relief more often than every few hours, the underlying problem likely needs professional treatment rather than more numbing gel.
Safety Risks to Know About
Because both products contain benzocaine, they carry the same safety concern: a rare but serious condition called methemoglobinemia. This happens when benzocaine triggers a chemical change in your red blood cells that reduces their ability to carry oxygen. Symptoms include pale, gray, or bluish skin, rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, dizziness, and unusual fatigue. It can occur even if you’ve used the product before without problems.
The risk is higher with frequent applications and in younger children. Neither Anbesol nor Orajel should be used for teething in children under 2 years of age. The FDA issued specific warnings about this, and both brands now carry the same label restrictions. For teething babies, a chilled (not frozen) teething ring or gentle gum massage are the recommended alternatives.
How to Choose Between Them
If you’re standing in the pharmacy aisle trying to decide, focus on three things: concentration, formulation, and price. Match the strength to your pain level. Regular strength (10 percent benzocaine) is fine for canker sores and minor irritation. Maximum strength (20 percent) is better suited for toothache pain. Both brands offer both concentrations.
Pick the format that makes sense for your situation. A gel works best when you can see and reach the sore spot. A liquid may help if the pain is in the back of your mouth. If one brand offers a specialty product that matches your specific need, like a mouth rinse for multiple canker sores, that’s a reasonable tiebreaker.
Beyond that, whichever is cheaper or available at your local store is the right choice. A clinical study comparing 10 percent and 20 percent benzocaine gels for acute toothaches tested both Orajel and Anbesol formulations and found no difference between brands at the same concentration. You’re paying for the benzocaine, not the label.