What should I do if my child has a toothache?
If your child has a toothache, rinse their mouth with warm salt water and inspect their teeth closely. You’re looking for any food or objects caught between them, swelling, pus, blood, or anything that is unusual.
If your child’s cheek is swollen or there is an obvious infection in their mouth, call us immediately. Do not place aspirin on their gums or on the aching tooth. Apply a cold compress to their cheek to reduce the swelling and pain, and then get them ready to head to the dental clinic. Call us as soon as possible and we will fit you into the schedule that day.
What Causes a Toothache?
Tooth Abscess
If a tooth has become infected due to decay and bacteria entering the nerve of the tooth, it will hurt significantly. If your child has puss coming from their tooth or their face is swollen, give us a call immediately! An abscessed tooth is considered an emergency.
Then, apply a cold compress to their face to reduce the swelling while you’re on your way to the dentist.
DO NOT place aspirin on the gum or on the aching tooth.
An abscessed tooth is sensitive to cold, painful to the touch, and the gums around the tooth could be swollen. Sometimes pus might be coming from around the tooth or in a pocket on the side or behind the tooth. If you see any of these signs, it's considered an emergency! Give us a call and we'll fit you into the schedule; even if it's a weekend!
To treat a tooth abscess, our dental team will numb the tooth and perform a root canal (adult tooth) or pulpotomy (baby tooth) to clear the infected areas of the tooth and nerve. Then, they’ll cap the tooth with a simple crown.
Loose Teeth
When an adult tooth grows in, it can cause some soreness. I’m sure you remember your baby teething and feeling pain when their first set of teeth cut through the gums. Adult teeth can cause similar pain, on top of pushing out baby teeth. If your child is losing their teeth on the regular, it could be normal growing pains.
Braces or Other Appliances
If your child has a new set of braces, it’s normal that their teeth will ache and be sensitive for a few days. It takes a few days to adjust to the brackets or new wire. Give them soft foods to eat and have them take acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce the pain. Their mouth should feel back to normal within a few days.
Give Just 4 kiDDs a Call!
If your child has an abscessed tooth, they need to be seen as soon as possible. If you’re not sure what’s causing the tooth ache, we can help assess the risk just over the phone. Don’t hesitate to call us! We’ll answer your questions and fit you into the schedule if your child needs to be seen.