Care and Prevention of Toothaches in Children

A child's toothache can be caused by many different things but common causes of toothaches include tooth decay, dental trauma, loose teeth or erupting teeth and food wedged between the teeth. 

When Should You Contact Your Children's Dentist?

You should contact a kids' dentist when your child shows signs of pain. A few indications your child may need to be seen by the dentist include:

• Swollen face
• Acts or looks under the weather
• Severe pain that has not subsided within an hour or two
• Red or yellow lump present in the area of the gum line
• Visible brown cavity or hole in the tooth

Caring for Toothaches at Home

Until your child is able to see the dentist, try some of these at home remedies to help relieve the pain:

• Floss between your kids teeth to remove any impacted food
• Give your child over-the-counter pain reliever to help dull the pain
• If toothache is caused by an injury or trauma, apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek.

Scheduling an Appointment

Your child's toothache may require a dental visit to repair any damages and put preventive care into perspective. An appointment should be scheduled if the toothache does not go away within a 24-hour time frame. Most toothache causes can be treated in a timely manner and resolved permanently as long as the proper preventative measures are followed. After the appointment, make sure you help keep your child's teeth in top-of-the-line condition by teaching them proper oral health habits. Depending upon your child's oral health, your child may require more frequent visits to the dentist until all issues and concerns have been resolved.