Let’s face it; tooth pain hurts. Therefore, you can count on your child to tell you if he or she is experiencing a toothache. They may be unable to sleep or eat and even in tears if the pain is severe. As a parent, here’s what to do first.
Stay calm
Kids pick up on your anxiety, and it can trigger additional stress and discomfort in a child that is already in pain. Try to calmly examine the source first; it could be as simple as stuck food.
Help your child floss
Even a tiny food particle can lodge itself between two teeth and cause significant discomfort. Assist your child in a thorough flossing session and rinse well to see if that alleviates the pain.
Check the area for infection
If flossing didn’t resolve the toothache, it is important to examine the affected area for infection. Do you notice that the gums are red or swollen? Do you see an abscess forming near the area of pain? This warrants a prompt call to your dentist, as the infection can worsen and spread throughout the mouth.
Consider sinuses as the source
Another type of infection that can cause dental pain is a sinus infection or severe congestion. Your child will likely have other symptoms such as fatigue, fever and a stuffy nose if this is the case.
Schedule a dental exam
There are a variety of reasons why your child may have a toothache. If you can’t diagnose and treat the source at home, it is time to see a dentist. Dental x-rays are needed to diagnose toothaches related to cavities, cracked teeth and emerging adult teeth. In addition, your dentist can provide a means of pain relief for your child.
At Georgia Orthodontics & Children’s Dentistry, we want your child to retain a comfortable and pain-free smile. If your child is complaining of tooth pain, don’t ignore it. We offer comprehensive pediatric dentistry to restore their smile, ranging from dental fillings to orthodontics.
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