Being a parent is one of the most concerning things in the world, seeing your child in pain. It might be challenging to assess whether your child’s toothache is a small problem or something that needs to be treated right away. Children’s dental care depends on their understanding, and knowing when a toothache indicates an emergency might help avoid more serious issues.
Common Causes of a Child’s Toothache
Children’s toothaches can be due to many factors, some of which are not serious and others for which urgent treatment is needed. Here are some of the most common causes:
- Cavities: Tooth decay is the number one cause of dental pain in children. Bacteria live in the mouth and feed on sugar, producing acids that eat away at the enamel.
- Loose or Cracked Teeth: If your child has a loose or broken tooth, it can cause pain, especially when chewing on food.
- Gum Infections: If your child has swollen or bleeding gums, it could be an infection that needs to be treated.
- Food Stuck Between Teeth. The accumulation of small food particles between the teeth can be quite irritating and painful.
- Teething Pain: Young children can get toothaches as new teeth come in.
Knowing the source of the toothache is important when determining the best way to treat it. But how do you tell when it’s time to go to the emergency room?
Signs That Your Child’s Toothache is a Dental Emergency
You may need to seek professional dental help if your kid’s toothache lasts longer or does not get better through over-the-counter medications.
1. Severe and Persistent Pain
It is advisable to visit a dentist regularly, before things get serious. But if the pain persists, please make a trip to a dental specialist and check if it is a root canal, a cavity, or something else. Also, make sure your dental care includes regular exams, looking for risk factors for oral disease, and making others aware of them.
2. Swelling in the Face or Jaw
Facial swelling is the condition of facial swelling, which can be a sign of a very severe infection caused by a disease of your teeth, such as a dental abscess.
3. Fever Accompanying the Toothache
Toothache accompanied by a fever usually indicates an infection. When your child’s temperature is very high and he or she experiences tooth problems, you should immediately seek dental care.
4. Bleeding or Pus Around the Gums
If there is obvious pus, bleeding, or a bad taste in the mouth, these could be the signs of an infection in your child requiring immediate treatment.
Things To Do For A Toothache Before Seeing A Dentist
If you are not quite sure if the toothache is an emergency, here are a few steps that can be helpful to reduce your child’s pain until a professional can see him/her.
- Warm salt water: Water rinses can bring down inflammation and kill bacteria.
- Apply Cold Compress: Putting a cold pack on the outside of the cheek can numb the pain and reduce any swelling.
- Provide a Child-Safe Pain Reliever: Pain relievers can help with the pain.
Look for Food Particles: Gentle flossing of the affected area may clear any food material that may be irritating the tooth.
If your child’s pain does not go away after doing these things, it’s sensible to get in touch with a children’s dentist near you who is a professional and get the medical help if needed.
Trust Smart Dental Art for Your Child’s Dental Needs
When it comes to your child’s oral health, it is important to act at the right time. Whether it is a small cavity or a serious dental accident, it is important to see a dentist you can trust. At Smart Dental Art, we offer compassionate and non-intimidating dental treatments for children to preserve their smile.
If your child has a toothache, do not let it get worse. Contact Smart Dental Art, a professional dentist in Ambleside, to set an appointment with our pediatric dentists. Your child’s comfort and health are our top priorities!