Toothache in Children 

Toothache in children can be sharp and, most of the time, unbearable. Adults can usually tell what is behind it, such as gum infection or pain in the nerve of a molar, but children find that hard, especially at young ages such as four. All your child can do is point to their mouth, so it is difficult to tell what is wrong. In this article we look at the main causes and the most important ways to treat it.

Causes of toothache in children

The pain children feel varies, and so does where they feel it, because there are many possible causes and children find it hard to describe their toothache. The main causes are as follows:

Tooth decay

This is one of the main causes of pain. The decay or cavity reaches the inner part of the tooth, which contains the nerves and blood vessels, causing constant pain for the child, especially when the nerve is exposed and the child eats or drinks something cold or hot, which causes severe pain.

Sinuses

The cause of the toothache may be sinus inflammation, which can make the teeth very sensitive, so the child feels pain when drinking or eating.

New teeth coming in

This is one of the most common tooth-related pains in children, such as swollen gums when new teeth erupt. It goes away once the new tooth has finished coming in.

Trapped food

The cause may be as simple as leftover food stuck between the teeth that the child cannot remove, which puts pressure on the roots of the teeth.

Gum infections

The pain is often caused by an infection in the gums rather than in the teeth themselves, accompanied by redness and swelling. It can lead to an abscess, a fever and a noticeable change in the smell of the child’s breath because of the pus.

Brushing too hard

Brushing the teeth too forcefully can wear away the enamel, making the teeth very sensitive, especially to hot and cold food and drinks.

How to relieve toothache in children

Caring for a child while they are in pain, especially when they cannot express it, is one of the basic parts of treating toothache in children, which is one of the main problems many mothers face and which leaves them confused. So here are some ways that help relieve the pain:

• If swelling appears, you can place a cold compress on the outside of your child’s cheek for 10 to 20 minutes.
• Follow the dentist’s instructions and give the medicines at the times the dentist prescribed.
• Give certain antibiotics, taking care to keep to the dose times.
• Some pain relievers, such as ibuprofen, can be used to reduce pain and swelling.
• It is best that the child does not drink cold or hot drinks during this period.
• Avoid sweets during this period.
• Rinse the mouth with warm water every two hours, which helps reduce swelling and pain.
• Use salt water as a mouth rinse.
• Choose a toothpaste for sensitive teeth and a suitable toothbrush.

Treating toothache in children

Treatment of toothache in children depends on the accompanying symptoms, how the condition develops and the main cause behind it. So when you notice that your child is suffering from tooth pain, you should go to a specialist dentist, who decides on the right treatment plan, which may include the following:

• Antibiotics: the dentist usually prescribes them for a gum infection.
• The prescribed dose must be kept to and taken at the set times.
• The dentist prescribes some anti-inflammatory medicines to reduce swelling.
• If the infection is severe, the child is treated in hospital.
• There the child receives antibiotics through an intravenous injection.
• Pain relievers: the dentist prescribes a pain reliever according to the child’s age.
• Ibuprofen, acetaminophen and Cetal can be taken without a prescription, but anything else requires consulting the dentist.
• Extracting the molar or tooth: the dentist may resort to this when the damage is too great for a filling.
• Draining pus: the dentist sometimes needs to open the abscess and drain it.
• Depending on its size, after opening the abscess the dentist prescribes some medicines such as antibiotics.

Natural remedies for children’s toothache

Dear reader, you can follow natural methods in treating toothache in children, as we go through in the following lines:

Chamomile tea to relieve toothache

This is one of the natural remedies that help relieve pain, especially during teething. You can use it as a drink, or gently rub the gums with the tea leaves.

Honey for dental care

We all know that honey has many properties that effectively help kill germs and bacteria in the mouth and gums. You can use it directly on the gums mixed with olive oil, massaging the child’s gums.

Herbs for toothache

There are many herbs that greatly help reduce the feeling of toothache in children, such as cloves, which have a good effect and work as a good pain reliever, as well as chamomile tea and mint, which are among the best herbal drinks that help with toothache.

Tips for keeping children’s teeth healthy

Let us look together at the main tips that help you keep your children’s teeth healthy. They also help reduce toothache in children, and help prevent decay, by following these tips:

• Brush the teeth after every meal with a good toothpaste containing fluoride.
• Use the toothbrush correctly and gently, and choose a type suited to your child’s teeth.
• You can use dental floss just once to remove food trapped between the teeth.
• Avoid sweets, as well as sugary drinks such as soda and juice.
• See the dentist at least twice a year for the necessary check-ups.
• Take good care of tooth cleanliness after every meal.
• Use some natural remedies such as rinsing with salt water.
• If swelling appears, you can use ice to reduce it.
• A toothpaste for sensitive teeth is preferable if your child has decay.
• Use a soft toothbrush.
• Take care to keep your child’s teeth clean from the very beginning of their growth.
• Keep the mouth clean every day as well.

Also read: Do cosmetic fillings fall out?

In conclusion, we learned about toothache in children, and the natural remedies you can use to reduce this pain. We then covered the main causes that lead to it, learned about some of the treatment plans dentists follow to treat tooth pain, and went through some preventive tips that help you keep your child’s teeth in good condition.