What You Need to Know About Tooth Pain in Children
Everyone knows how bothersome tooth pain can be. Babies suffer tooth pain when teething, and adults often suffer the same when it comes to their molars. In today’s article, we’ll go over all you need to know about tooth pain in children.
It’s extremely likely that children will experience tooth pain at one point or another. In most cases, this pain is the result of natural causes.
However, parents need to pay attention and speak with their children. If they notice something serious may be going on, parents should consult with a dentist as soon as possible.
Secondary symptoms of tooth pain in children
Besides tooth pain in and of itself, other symptoms can also affect children’s wellbeing. These may include the following:
- Discomfort and lack of energy as a result of pain.
- Difficulty chewing and swallowing.
- Continuous pain.
- Swelling of the affected area.
- Fever.
Causes for tooth pain in children
The most frequent factors that lead to tooth pain in children are the following:
- Cavities.
- Dental sensitivity.
- The growth of a new dental piece.
- Bruxism (tooth grinding).
- Trauma.
- Misaligned bite.
- Earache or ear infection — it’s normal that children don’t know how to distinguish exactly where the pain comes from.
- Sinusitis.
- Inflammations and other gum issues.
What to do in the face of tooth pain
Depending on the source of the pain, we can take different measures to relieve our children’s suffering. The first step involves observing your children’s mouths and also asking them what they feel and when.
First, if the pain is the result of a loose tooth or a tooth that moves, it’s best to leave it as is and not force it. This can cause the incoming tooth to come in misaligned.
A good technique for relieving this pain is to rinse your child’s mouth with warm salt water. This can help contribute to reducing inflammation. Applying ice can also be effective.
At the same time, doctors may recommend applying certain medications such as gel for gums or administering painkillers. This may often be necessary when a new tooth is coming in and producing pain.
Finally, in the case of cavities, the only option is to see a dentist. Concretely, cavities signify the destruction of a body’s hard tissue – bones or teeth. In extreme cases, this can even affect the nerves. Cavities are the result of germs that adhere to teeth over time and eat away at the tooth enamel.
Parents should take their children to the dentist for regular controls from an early age. This can help in preventing any fear among children of going to the dentist.
There are other situations in which it may be necessary to seek professional attention – whether from a dentist or a pediatrician. Here we’re referring to the breaking of a tooth that results from a more serious issue.
Other home remedies
Besides the above mentioned conventional solutions, parents can also resort to certain effective home strategies. These can be very useful especially because children are still too young to take strong pain medication.
The first of these home remedies is hydrogen peroxide. Applying this liquid to a cotton ball or swab to the inflamed area can produce relief, at least temporarily.
At the same time, you can also reach for garlic, a natural anti inflammatory. This isn’t the most pleasant method, since children must hold a garlic clove in their mouths for several seconds. However, it’s considered to be an effective technique in these cases.
Finally, freezable gels for bumps and bruises can also be effective in treating swelling and pain. The best part is that these gels, unlike ice, don’t cause burning when in direct contact with the skin.
The importance of tooth brushing
The importance of tooth brushing is essential in preventing tooth pain in children. With the help of this daily measure, we maintain our children’s dental hygiene. We also reduce the possibilities of the development of bacteria.
For that reason, it’s crucial that parents be sure to promote proper tooth brushing. And of course, parents need to have all necessary materials on hand and consult with their dentist regarding any particular needs their children may have. These may include a special toothpaste or toothbrush.