There are many reasons your child might develop a toothache in Garland, but no matter the reason, all you want to do as their parent is help them feel relief from the pain. While there is always the option of calling their pediatric dentist, you may be surprised to discover there are some at-home tips you can use in the meantime.
What Causes a Toothache?
A child’s toothache can be caused by many things, some of which include a cavity, facial trauma (i.e., a cracked or chipped tooth), something stuck between their teeth, or even a serious infection. Identifying the underlying cause of the problem typically requires scheduling an appointment with their pediatric dentist. This visit will include taking digital X-rays and performing a visual exam to pinpoint the problem and make the appropriate treatment recommendations.
At-Home Tips to Manage the Pain
While your child’s dentist is capable of using safe and effective solutions in-house to take care of the nagging pain, there are ways you can minimize their pain while at home. It is always recommended that you call your child’s emergency dentist in Garland should they experience any type of tooth pain, but in the meantime, a member of their dental team can recommend helpful, at-home tips to manage the discomfort.
Some valuable suggestions include:
- Identifying the area of the pain. This may mean looking for any signs of swelling or tenderness.
- Finding out if your child has something between their teeth or if their gums feel sore. They may also complain about oral sore formations or a loose tooth that is causing pain.
- If something is stuck between their teeth, have them rinse with warm water and use dental floss to remove it.
- Applying a cold compress can help to reduce pain and achieve temporary relief.
- Rinsing with warm salt water to flush out any bad oral bacteria and encourage relief from the discomfort.
- Providing your child with over-the-counter pain relievers (if old enough) as directed.
Ways a Dentist Can Help
If the problem is more serious than something stuck between your child’s teeth, the dentist will recommend treatment that is based on the cause of the toothache. For a cavity, your child may require a tooth-colored filling. For a damaged tooth, they may need a customized dental crown or pulp therapy. If a tooth is so badly damaged that it is hindering their oral health, it may be necessary to remove it from the socket.
Most pediatric dentists can treat an array of dental emergencies; however, if your child is bleeding excessively or having trouble breathing or swallowing, get them to the local ER as soon as possible.
Give your child the relief they need by adopting a few of these tips should a sudden toothache arise.
About the Author
Dr. Adam Preece is a board-certified pediatric dentist at The Dental Specialists Pediatric Dentistry. Offering preventive services to help better maintain young, growing smiles, he believes in equipping patients and their parents with valuable information concerning sudden injuries or accidents. If your little one is suffering from a serious toothache, visit our website or call (972) 309-9992.