What You Should Do If Your Child Has a Toothache

A toothache can be difficult to deal with, but a lot of children experience this. Toothaches in children can be caused by emerging teeth, tooth decay, broken or chipped teeth, plaque buildup, cavities, swollen gums, tooth grinding, or food that gets stuck between teeth. However, you can ease your child’s tooth pain and help them get temporary relief with these home remedies.

Flossing

Flossing helps to remove food particles that may be stuck between their teeth. Help your child floss with dental floss or a water flosser. Your child’s gums may be sensitive, so you should be careful while flossing.

Cold Compress

Apply an ice pack or store-bought cold compress on your child’s outer cheek near the swollen or painful area and leave it on for 15 minutes. The application of cold compress constricts the blood vessels which slows blood circulation to the affected area. This helps to relieve pain, swelling, and inflammation.

Saltwater Rinse

Your child can rinse their mouth with the warm salt water solution for 30 seconds and then spit out. This will help loosen the food particles stuck between the teeth and reduce swelling.

Clove Oil

Cloves have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which help to combat gum and tooth infections. Soak a small cotton swab with clove oil and apply it to the affected area.

Whole dried cloves can be used in older children. Have your child chew a whole clove and ask them to hold it in place against the painful area for about 30 minutes. Cloves or clove oil can help with pain relief.

Pain Medication

You can use anti-inflammatory or over-the-counter pain medication to help ease your child’s tooth pain. However, you need to make sure the safety of the medication before giving it to your child.

Schedule an Appointment with Your Dentist

These home remedies are to provide temporary pain relief. It is important to schedule an appointment with your dentist to address the underlying cause of the issue, especially if your child’s tooth pain lasts more than 24 hours. Your dentist can identify and treat potential long-term complications before they impact your child’s oral health and provide additional treatments like fillings.

If tooth pain is not treated on time, it can lead to more serious complications, like a dental abscess or gum disease. Even if your child’s tooth pain is resolved on its own, they can develop a cavity which can cause infection and eventually tooth loss.

Do not hesitate to schedule an appointment with your dentist, especially if you suspect that your child’s toothache is caused by:

• Cavities
• Cut or injury to the mouth
• Broken or chipped teeth
• Swollen gums

Contact us today or schedule an appointment with our dentist in Scottsdale, AZ, if you are looking for the best oral care for your child.