Don’t Let a Toothache Spoil Your Child’s Christmas – Here’s What to Do

Christmas is near and it’s an exciting time for children. But, if your kid experiences a toothache during the season, it can be very unpleasant. What if your child experiences a toothache during the holidays? Don’t let this ruin your Christmas! We’ll give you some tips on what to do to help make your child’s holiday as pain-free as possible.

What Are The Symptoms Of A Toothache In A Child?

Each child may feel symptoms a bit differently. But below are the most common symptoms of a toothache:

• Constant, throbbing pain in a tooth
• Pain in the tooth that gets worse when the tooth is touched
• Pain in the tooth that gets worse with hot or cold foods or liquids
• A sore, tender jaw around the tooth
• Fever
• Generally tired and feeling badly (malaise)

What Does My Child’s Toothache Mean?

First and foremost, it’s important to identify why your child may have a toothache. A toothache can be caused by several things such as an abscess, cavities, or even trauma to the tooth. If you believe that something more serious is causing the pain, like an infection or decay of the tooth root, then make sure to visit your dentist right away.

Causes

Causes of toothaches in a child can include:

• Inflammation of the dental pulp
• A tooth abscess (the buildup of pus in a tooth due to a bacterial infection)
• Deep cavities
• Gum disease
• Dental trauma
• Impacted wisdom teeth (wisdom teeth that do not have enough room to erupt or develop normally)
• Cracked teeth

Don’t Let a Toothache Spoil Your Child’s Christmas – Here’s What to Do

If it’s too late to visit a dentist and you need immediate relief, don’t fret! Here are some tips for managing your child’s toothache until you can get to the dentist:

• Give your child over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
• Rinse the mouth with warm salt water.
• Apply a cold compress to the outside of the cheek or jaw.
• Avoid giving your child crunchy or hard foods.
• Be sure to brush and floss the area gently.
• If your child has a fever, contact your doctor.
• Finally, keep an eye on your child’s symptoms and if they worsen, be sure to contact your dentist right away.

When to See the Dentist?

It is always a good idea to visit the dentist if your child has a toothache. The dentist will be able to diagnose the issue and provide treatment as needed. If you can’t get into the office before Christmas, make sure to schedule an appointment for after the holidays so that the problem doesn’t worsen over time.

Treatment Options

Depending on the cause of your child’s toothache, the dentist may recommend one or more treatment options. These can include:

• Filling a cavity: this is when the dentist removes the decayed part of the tooth and then fills the area with a fill material, such as silver or porcelain.
• Root canal therapy: this is when the dentist removes the infected pulp inside of a tooth and refills it with a special filling material.
• Extraction: in some cases, if a tooth is too damaged, the dentist may recommend extraction which is when the tooth is surgically removed.
• Antibiotics: if the toothache is caused by an infection, the dentist may recommend antibiotics.

Prevention

The best way to prevent a toothache in your child is by taking good care of their teeth. Here’s how to keep toothaches away:

• Start good oral habits early. Teach kids to brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and to floss regularly.
• Get enough fluoride. Regular use of fluoride toughens the enamel, making it harder for acid to penetrate. Although many towns require tap water to be fluoridated, others don’t. If your water supply is not fluoridated or if your family uses purified water, ask your dentist for fluoride supplements. Most toothpastes contain fluoride but toothpaste alone will not fully protect a child’s teeth. Be careful, however, since too much fluoride can cause tooth discoloration. Check with your dentist before supplementing.
• Limit or avoid some foods. Sugary foods, juices, candy (especially sticky gummy candy, gummy vitamins, or fruit leather or “roll-ups”) can erode enamel and cause cavities. If your kids eat these foods, have them rinse their mouth or brush their teeth after eating to wash away the sugar. The same goes for taking sweetened liquid medicines: always have kids rinse or brush afterward.

As your child’s permanent teeth grow in, the dentist can help prevent decay by applying a thin wash of resin (called a sealant) to the back teeth, where most chewing is done. This protective coating keeps bacteria from settling in the hard-to-reach crevices of the molars. But make sure that kids know that sealants aren’t a replacement for good brushing and regular flossing.

Make an Appointment with Li’l Sunshine Smiles

No matter the cause or treatment option, it’s important that you follow your dentist’s instructions carefully to make sure your child is comfortable and their teeth stay healthy during the holiday season! With these tips in mind, you can ensure a pain-free Christmas for your little one. To make an appointment with Li’l Sunshine Smiles and have your child’s toothache taken care of right away, contact us today. We look forward to helping you and your family have a healthy holiday season!