Toothaches are no fun. If you’ve ever had one, you know that toothaches can mean a lack of sleep, can make you ornery, and can make it hard to concentrate on anything besides the pain that has taken over your mouth. So when your child has a toothache, it can be heartbreaking, especially if you aren’t sure how to provide them with some relief.

Common Toothache Causes in Kids

Many things can cause your child to have a toothache. For adults, it can be a bit easier to pinpoint the problem and seek treatment when necessary. But unfortunately, for kids, it can be somewhat harder, especially when they can’t accurately explain to you the source of their pain.

Toothaches in kids can occur when dental decay or erosion penetrates the pulp of your child’s tooth. The pulp chamber has susceptible blood vessels and nerves. But erosion isn’t the only reason for a toothache. Toothaches can also be diet-related. Drinking too much soda or sugary beverages and eating sugary foods can also lead to tooth decay and toothaches.

There are many causes of childhood toothaches. Most notably, the following:

• Emerging or erupting teeth
• Chipped teeth/cracked enamel
• Loose and/or missing fillings
• Tooth erosion and/or decay
• Food stuck between the teeth
• Bruxism (tooth grinding)

5 Tips to Soothe Toothache Pain in Kids

If your child can’t sleep because of their toothache or can’t quite seem to get comfortable, chances are that you will want to provide them some temporary relief. Common ways to relieve toothache pain include the following:

1. Warm Salt Water Rinse Can Bring Toothache Relief

Help your child rinse their mouth with a saltwater solution consisting of half a cup of warm water mixed with one-third of a teaspoon of sea salt. If your child is old enough to do so without swallowing, show them how to swish this mixture around in their mouth for as long as possible (30 seconds is ideal). This saltwater solution will help kill bacteria in your child’s mouth or around the affected area. Not only that, but a saltwater rinse will promote faster healing.

2. Cold Ice Pack on Face

Use a cold compress or wrap some ice in a towel and apply it to your child’s face near the painful tooth. Make sure you only leave it on for five to ten minutes at a time, or even less if the cold is uncomfortable for your child.

3. Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers

If your child’s pain continues after you have tried the other recommended methods to relieve toothache pain, you may want to give your child Tylenol or another pediatrician-approved anti-inflammatory pain reliever. You can also try pain relief gels such as Orajel. For any OTC treatment, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommended dosage and check with your child’s pediatrician before administering anything that they have not taken in the past.

4. Essential Oils Can Help Soothe a Toothache

Though you should always consult your child’s pediatrician or dentist before using essential oils as a pain remedy, many children find relief from clove oil. You can apply the clove oil to a cotton swab before gently rubbing it on the affected tooth.

5. Flossing Between Your Child’s Teeth May Relieve a Toothache

Sometimes, toothaches come on when food particles get stuck between the teeth and gums. Over time, this can lead to an infection and can be quite painful. You can try to help your child remove these stuck food particles between their teeth. Be as careful as possible when helping them floss, because your child’s gums might be irritated or infected, and kids’ gums are already softer and more sensitive than adults’. Many parents find that a water flosser makes it easier to clear food between the teeth, so if you have one, give that a try if the flossing is too difficult.

When does your child’s toothache require a trip to the dentist?

Kids’ toothaches are no fun, and as parents, we want that pain to go away. Occasionally, no matter how hard we try, homemade remedies for toothaches and OTC treatments for kids just aren’t enough. If this happens to you and your child, you may need to seek pediatric dental care from a kids’ dentist. Keep in mind that if your child’s tooth pain is caused by any of the six causes of tooth pain that we mentioned earlier, and your child has symptoms such as fever or bleeding gums, you shouldn’t delay in requesting an appointment right away.

The We Make Kids Smile team makes it easy to request an appointment online. You can also give us a call directly to schedule a dental evaluation for your child’s toothache. Toothaches are best solved when parents, a kids’ dentist, and the child all work together. You can rest assured that during your child’s visit to remedy their toothache, we’ll not only treat their toothache, but we’ll talk through strategies to prevent future issues with your child’s teeth.