How To Help Your Child Through a Toothache

Causes and cures for a toothache

How To Help Relieve Your Child’s Toothache

You know what to do when your child comes home from the playground with a bruised knee. But what about when your little one bites an apple wrong one morning and a filling comes loose or they experience discomfort from an emerging tooth? What can you do to help your child through the pain of a toothache until you can make it to your pediatric dentist? Let’s find out…

For an Emerging Primary or Permanent Tooth

Our teeth start forming when we are babies. Most of the time a new tooth appears without any complications. But sometimes this process of a tooth pushing through the gums (tooth eruption) can be uncomfortable for your child. The surrounding gum tissue can become red and swollen, causing tenderness that may continue until the tooth is in its final position. Here’s how you can help relieve some of the discomfort:

  • For babies who eat solid foods, try switching to liquids or frozen foods to lessen or numb their pain. A chilled carrot or other food in a mesh feeder can help ease discomfort.
  • For preteens, homemade sugar-free popsicles, smoothies, and even ice water are great tooth pain remedies.
  • Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help temporarily relieve your child’s symptoms. Always call your pediatric dentist or primary physician if you are unsure about dosage information.

For Chipped or Cracked Teeth

Kids love to play. As they get older this play can result in cuts and scrapes, bruised knees and elbows, or even chipped teeth and cracked enamel. And while the first two injuries only require Band-Aids and some hugs and kisses, dental injuries call for a little more. First you’ll need to examine the extent of the damage. Is their pain coming from a hurt lip, or does your child feel pain in that particular tooth? You should also check on the color of the damaged tooth. Is it discolored? These details are important to mention when you call to schedule your child’s emergency pediatric dental appointment. Meanwhile, here’s what you can do at home to help your child:

  • Use a cold compress to help relieve any swelling and numb some of the pain.
  • Rinse your child’s mouth with warm salt water to help prevent an infection.

For Loose or Missing Fillings

So your child has a loose filling? Don’t panic. The sudden loss of the composite material can be somewhat traumatic for your child, especially if it exposes nerve endings and causes sensitivity. Until you can get your child in to see your pediatric dentist for treatment, try placing a temporary filling at home. Fill the hole using an over-the-counter temporary dental repair kit to cover up any exposed nerves and temporarily ease sensitivity. These temporary filling kits can be found at most drug stores. This is not a permanent solution, though, so keep the appointment you made with your child’s dentist.

If your child has a toothache, request an appointment with Pediatric Dental Specialists.

Home remedies and over-the-counter medications aren’t permanent solutions for toothaches. If your child’s teeth are hurting, schedule an appointment with your pediatric dentist today. It’s safer to be proactive with your little one’s dental health. Today’s mild toothache can turn into tomorrow’s cavity.