Did you know that from the age of three, kids are prone to getting toothaches? And it’s not just baby teeth that can develop severe pain – even permanent teeth can fall victim to a sudden bout of pain and inflammation. The reasons are many, but one of the biggest one is tooth decay. It can be scary for both parent and child, especially when the pain is so intense. A toothache can leave your child unable to eat or speak properly, among other things. Keep reading to find out what to do when your child has a toothache and how to relieve tooth pain in child.
What To Do When Your Child Has A Toothache
Before we dive into how to relieve tooth pain in child, it is important to identify what to do when your child has a toothache
Check for infection of the tooth
A toothache can be a sign of an infection, so it’s important to check if your child has an infection before you do anything else. Toothache accompanied by red gums, swelling, and/or discharge from the gum is a sign of a bacterial infection. In some cases, there could be a facial swelling as well. If infection is present, the best thing to do is to consult your pediatric dentist immediately.
Pus formation is an indication of gingivitis or periodontitis, which can lead to tooth loss. If the infection is allowed to progress, it can spread to the jawbone, ligaments and even the bloodstream, causing serious conditions that require dental emergency plans. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent situation like these. Early treatment will decrease the pain and swelling as well as prevent infection from spreading. If your child has any of the above-mentioned symptoms, take a dental appointment.
Ice and cold pack
If your child has a toothache, one of the best way is to deal with it is to apply ice to the affected tooth. This will help get the swelling and inflammation down and bring down the pain almost immediately. You can either use an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables like broccoli or peas. For kids who don’t like the cold feeling, you can try frozen fruits or cookies.
If you are unsure if it’s an actual toothache or just a general area of discomfort, you can do a “toothache test.” After brushing their teeth, have your child bite down on a piece of gauze or a wet cotton swab. If they report sharp pain, then they could have a toothache. Once you’ve confirmed that your child has a toothache, the best thing to do is to give them a cold compress. This will not only help with the pain but also prevent swelling.
Get a dental check-up
If your child experiences a toothache, the best thing to do is to get them to a dentist to identify the cause of the toothache. Dentists can rule out a gum disease or an infection and help your kid get rid of the pain. While a minor toothache can be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers, it’s important to visit dentist as soon as possible to make sure it’s not something serious. Diseases like gingivitis, which is a gum inflammation caused by poor oral hygiene, can lead to serious infections that can result in tooth loss.
Try natural remedies for temporary relief
Apart from the usual prescription-based treatments, you should try some natural remedies to get rid of the toothache. Some of these remedies include –
- Tea bags: Tea bags are rich in tannins, which are analgesic agents that can help reduce the pain. You can dip a tea bag in warm water and wrap it around your child’s aching tooth.
- Eating bananas: Bananas are rich in potassium and fiber, which are excellent for relieving the pain caused by toothaches. Mash a ripe banana and apply it on your child’s aching tooth.
- Putting pressure on the tooth: Swab the tooth with a cotton pad dipped in warm water and apply gentle pressure on the tooth. This will help reduce the pain.
- Chewing on a clove: Chewing on a clove can help get rid of the pain caused by toothache.
- Using baking soda: Wet a cotton ball and dip it in baking soda. Place it on the tooth for about five minutes to get rid of the pain.
- Swabbing the gums with hydrogen peroxide: Swabbing the gums with hydrogen peroxide can disinfect the area and help get rid of the pain.
Ways on how to relieve tooth pain in child
10 effective home remedies for toothaches in children
If you think your child has a toothache or an infected tooth, there are some home remedies you might want to try. Below are 10 effective and easy to implement home remedies for how to relieve tooth pain in child. These solutions will provide fast relief for your little one and keep them from worrying about getting a root canal in the future!
Apply a warm compress
If your child’s tooth is swollen, a warm compress can help relieve their pain. Place a warm, wet washcloth over the area for four or five minutes. This will reduce swelling and bring down the level of infection. You can also try placing a warm tea bag over the tooth and holding it in place with a cloth. If you have a little one who doesn’t want to keep a washcloth in their mouth, you can also try a cotton swab dipped in warm water.
Use a clean finger to scrape the area
If the infected area is too swollen for the child to brush, use a clean finger to scrape the tooth. Kids usually don’t like this, but it will help get the infection out. Scrape the tooth in a downward motion, but don’t scrape the tooth down to the gum line. You can also use an oral irrigator to clean out the tooth. This is a special device you can use to rinse out a child’s mouth. A dental professional may also use it at their office.
Try a pain-relieving gel or anti-inflammatory medicines
If the pain lingers for several days, a pain-relieving gel or ointment applied to the tooth can help. You can get these over-the-counter at your local pharmacy or drug store. Choose one that says it’s safe for children. Be sure to read the instructions so you know how to apply it to your child’s mouth. Another option is to apply a zinc oxide ointment to the tooth. This can help with the swelling and reduce the risk of infection.
Tylenol or Advil for mild pain
If your child’s toothache is mild, you can try giving them a dose of Tylenol or Advil. You can give these two brands of painkillers to kids who are six months old and older. If your child’s tooth is really sore, give them a dose every four hours until the pain subsides. Be careful, though. You don’t want to give your little one too much of these pain meds.
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Saltwater rinse
If your child has a sore tooth, you can try gargling with salt water. Use ½ a teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water. Make sure the water is warm enough so it’s not uncomfortable for your child. Let them gargle for a few seconds with warm salt water and then spit the water out. The salt in the water will help dry out the infection and help in pain relief.
Help your child eat soft food
If your child’s mouth is really sore, they may want to eat something. If they can’t chew hard food, they may try eating something soft, like applesauce or mashed potatoes. Let your child eat what they want, but also encourage them to eat a soft food. Eating something soft will help your child’s mouth heal.
Use a bamboo stick
A bamboo stick can help remove bacteria and food particles trapped between your child’s teeth. Bamboo is a great choice because it’s gentle on your child’s gums and won’t damage their teeth. If your child has a loose tooth, you’ll want to be careful and use a soft toothbrush instead.
Baking soda and vinegar
If your child’s tooth is infected and you want to clean it out, use a mix of baking soda and vinegar. Mix one part baking soda with two parts vinegar. Dip a cotton swab into the mixture and apply it to your child’s tooth. Let it sit for a few minutes and then rinse out the tooth with water. Repeat this process two or three times a day until the infection is gone.
Clove Oil
In some cases people recommend using clove oil. Applying clove oil on the affected area could help toothache pain.
Conclusion
Teeth are amazing organs that play an important role in our overall health. Unfortunately, they’re also the first thing to show signs of aging. When left untreated, tooth decay can lead to serious health problems, including tooth loss. If your child is experiencing tooth pain, it’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible.
The above shared 10 ways on how to relieve tooth pain in child can help your child get through this painful experience. A toothache that lasts more than a few days can lead to an infection. This can damage your child’s teeth and lead to a root canal in the future so it is always advised to identify the potential causes of the dental issue and take prompt dental care.
This is helpful. Thank you for sharing these natural remedies. I had no idea that eating bananas can help. Bookmarking this post for future reference.
I’ve heard that tea bags work, but I don’t know why I don’t think about it when my teeth actually hurt. I need to try it next time!
Dental check-ups are very important indeed especially for younger children. Thank you for sharing your tips!
Fantastic advice here! I work in a local pharmacy and you’ve covered all the main points!
What a timely post. I am going through a bad phase of toothache myself. I swear by the clove oil application. However one must be very careful and go easy with children since clove oils tend to burn a lot.
True. A lot of people swear by Clove Oil application. I somehow never liked it. I am like a cold press person
What an amazing theme… What To Do When Your Child Has A Toothache.
I would also love to know What To Do When You Have A Toothache
Ooohhhhh…I didn’t know bananas can relieve tooth pain. Thank you for this guide. I will need it, given my troubles with food and my teeth!
Yes! Bananas are full of vitamins like vitamin C and vitamin B6, as well as fiber. They provide a wide variety of minerals like potassium, manganese, and magnesium. These minerals can help strengthen tooth enamel, so they’re very good for the teeth.
Great recommendations. I’d keep these in mind, especially for my first born who has special needs.
Glad these tips could come handy.
Toothaches are common in young children. But as parents, it’s natural that we worry anytime our child is in pain. Thank you for the guide.
I agree.
I love your tips. The combo of natural approaches for temporary relief plus getting to the dentist ASAP is the perfect way to go.
Thanks! Yes, I always recommend visiting dentist.