Toothaches in children are a common issue that can be easily managed.

Oftentimes a toothache in children occurs when least expected—when you are on vacation or on a late weekend evening when offices are closed. Fortunately, once you recognize the early signs of a toothache, you will be prepared for how to treat it and when to call We Make Kids Smile to get your child quickly smiling again.

At We Make Kids Smile, our team understands how a toothache in your child can cause stress and pain. Worry no more, there are several tips to help treat your child’s aching tooth even as you schedule an emergency dental visit.

Tips to Treat Your Child’s Toothache

1. Warm Salt Rinse

A warm salt rinse is an effective way to help reduce inflammation when your child has a toothache. Gargling or swishing with a ½ teaspoon of salt in water will help remove bacteria and germs because it is antibacterial.

2. Ice Pack

If your child complains of a pain in his/her tooth, an ice pack can be placed against the side of the face to help reduce swelling. You can also use an ice cube against the cheek or inside the mouth. Use the cold compress for 15 minutes at a time.

3. Over-the-counter Pain Relievers

When a toothache won’t resolve, sometimes it is best to give your child an over-the-counter pain medication like children’s acetaminophen or ibuprofen. This will help your child become comfortable and sleep if they are experiencing pain at night. Usually if you have to give a pain reliever, it is best to call your dentist at We Make Kids Smile to get your child evaluated.

4. Dental Appointment

Sometimes a toothache quickly resolves if there was dental trauma such as biting into a hard food or bumping into something with your mouth. When tooth pain does not resolve after 24 hours, please call your pediatric dentist to have your child get properly diagnosed. This will ensure treatment to get your child out of pain and reduce any future problems.

Causes of a Toothache

There are several causes of a toothache in children. Here are a few commonly seen issues that lead parents to take their child to the dentist. It is important to recognize the causes of a toothache so they can be easily prevented.

Erupting teeth

Primary and permanent teeth erupting are common causes for tooth pain. The reason is the tooth is pushing through the gums, which can cause pressure and discomfort. This occurs when a baby or toddler is teething, but also sometimes when an older child has a mobile baby tooth. A loose baby tooth can cause a toothache because when biting down it pushes onto the gum and newly erupting permanent tooth.

Tooth decay

Cavities are the most common cause of a toothache in children. This is because when decay reaches the inner layers of the tooth where nerves lie, it can cause severe pain. Sometimes a toothache will progress to an abscess, or dental infection. It is always best to take care of small cavities quickly before they progress and cause a toothache.

Chipped/cracked Teeth

If a tooth is injured from dental trauma, it can cause a toothache. There are many types of dental injuries that can cause pain, but the most common is when a tooth breaks leaving the inner layers exposed to air and food. This leads to sensitivity and a toothache.

Food Stuck Between Teeth

It is surprisingly common for children to experience a toothache when a piece of food gets stuck between teeth or under the gum. It can cause pain because the food debris is wedged under the tooth or gums leading to irritation that floss can’t resolve. The most common types of foods to get caught here include popcorn, nuts, and pretzels.

We Make Kids Smile can help treat a toothache.

When your child experiences a toothache it may require immediate attention to prevent more discomfort or a long-term dental problem. At We Make Kids Smile, we’re here to help treat your child in the most gentle and comfortable manner to make their experience enjoyable and memorable.