Your Child’s Toothache: Remedy The Pain

A toothache can take the fun out of anything. If your child has a toothache, there are steps you can relieve his or her discomfort until you can get to a dentist.

Keep reading to learn more about dealing with a painful toothache at home.

How to Remedy Your Child’s Toothache

A toothache can be caused by tooth decay, bacterial infections, tooth damage, eruption, and more. Some causes can lead to difficult-to-treat, long-term damage. You’ll need to schedule an appointment with a dentist to find the source of your child’s pain. In the meantime, though, you can remedy the pain by:

Inspecting the Tooth

Take a look at the aching tooth. Some toothaches are caused by bits of food stuck between the teeth. Use a flashlight for tough-to-see teeth. If there appears to be something stuck in the tooth (or between two teeth), gently use dental floss to remove it.

Using Pain Medication

Use over-the-counter pain medications cautiously. If you’re not sure about the dosage, or which medication is best suited to remedy your child’s toothache, the pharmacist can help.

It’s worth noting that Aspirin (or store-brand acetylsalicylic acid) may not be the best choice, as it can thin the blood. Ask your child’s doctor if Aspirin is suitable for your child.

Distracting Your Child

Have you ever been so focused on one thing that you completely missed something else? Keep your child’s mind off their toothache by playing a game, reading a book, or watching their favorite movie. If your child is feeling especially miserable, it may be a good idea to let them nap through it for a while.

Rinsing with Warm Water

A warm salt water rinse may provide some relief. If your child is old enough to swish and spit, mix up a salt water rinse and have them swish as often as necessary.

Placing a Cold Compress on the Affected Area

A cold compress can relieve pain caused by swelling or inflammation. Place the cold cloth or compress against the cheek (outside the mouth) on the affected side. If the item is icy cold, wrap it in a cloth to prevent skin irritation. Note that inflammation may signal an infection or abscess – seek immediate medical attention if your child has a notably swollen cheek, a fever, or difficulty swallowing.

Convenient, Affordable Dental Care With a Kool Smiles Partner Dentist
At Kool Smiles, we know that toothaches don’t always happen during regular business hours. We have partner dentists who are open evenings and weekends, and who are available after-hours in case of an emergency.

Kool Smiles Kids Club’s partner dentists welcome patients with Medicaid, TRICARE, CHIP (formerly SCHIP), and most major insurance policies. If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you can rest assured that our partners strive to provide affordable dental care for all children, regardless of insurance status.

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Sources:
Cleveland Clinic: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10957-toothache
Healthline: https://www.healthline.com/health/headache-reyes-syndrome#Overview1
WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/toothaches#1