If you’ve ever had a toothache, you know it comes in varying forms and can linger. Unfortunately, this discomfort doesn’t strictly affect adults. A child’s toothache can disrupt their sleeping and eating habits, which are vital to their development.
When your child cannot communicate their discomfort or identify which tooth hurts, they may still provide non-verbal clues. Understanding the signs that your child has a toothache is crucial to getting them prompt attention from an office specializing in children’s dentistry.
Every parent should pay attention to anything that seems off with their child’s routine and what’s happening inside their mouth. Common visible symptoms of a toothache include a broken tooth, irritated gums, and facial swelling. But other signs aren’t as evident. However, your little one will give you clues that they are experiencing discomfort.
When dealing with a child’s toothache, they may avoid eating hot and cold foods. Damaged teeth tend to be sensitive to temperature changes. This sensitivity may cause your child to cry or refuse to eat. Contact a Colorado Springs childrens dentistry office to have them complete an oral evaluation and determine the cause of the discomfort.
The teething process can be long and challenging for both of you. New teeth might soon erupt through the gums if your baby gets cranky and continually wants to chew on everything or drools. Try to keep them distracted and use natural toothache pain relief for children.
Some remedies that may make your child more comfortable include:
Although some pain reliever medications are designed to help your baby, they may contain dangerous chemicals for small children.
If your child has trouble sleeping at night or is fussier than usual before bed, they may have a toothache. An infection can make it difficult for them to get comfortable.
Sometimes children experience pain in their faces, even when the discomfort stems from their teeth. If you notice your child rubbing their ears or jawline, they may be telling you they have a toothache. Check their mouth for food particles stuck between their teeth or discolored teeth. Brown or black staining may indicate a cavity is present.
Although it may seem to be more cost-effective to treat your child’s toothache at home, the best thing you can do is make an appointment with a Colorado Springs pediatric dentist. Waiting too long to get professional help could lead to severe complications.
While you wait for your appointment, you can alleviate some discomfort by giving them the manufacturer’s recommended dose of a child’s pain reliever, like acetaminophen.
It’s never too early to begin regular oral health care for your child. Ask our dental professionals for recommendations regarding your child’s routine treatment. Contact us today to learn more about our pediatric dentistry!
Many dental benefit plans follow the calendar year, meaning they’ll expire on December 31. If…
According to a February 2024 news post by the National Association of Dental Plans (NADP), at…
Are you concerned about a damaged or decayed tooth impacting your dental health? A dental…
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder is a common dental issue that impacts the joint between the…
According to Grand View Research, the dental veneers market was worth more than $2 billion…
When was the last time you had a regular dental checkup in Colorado Springs? If…