What Should You Do if Your Child Has Tooth Pain at Night?
When your children have a toothache, it can be a real challenge. Your child’s and your family’s sleep will be disrupted due to your efforts to manage the toothache pain. Toothache at night may be more challenging to handle, resulting in agitated nights.
If your toddler expresses any pain, it would be best to consult with a dentist immediately. Nonetheless, here are some tips to help you with your child’s pain relief. Learn more about toothache, different toothache remedies, and dental treatments that will significantly help.
What Causes Toothaches in Children?
A child’s dental pain can be caused by several factors, the most common bacterial infection. Dentin or “nerve-filled dental pulp” injury could also cause toothaches in youngsters.
Three layers make up a child’s tooth crown (the visible portion of the tooth above the gum line). Enamel is the name given to the outer covering of the tooth. Dentin is a hard but porous surface beneath the enamel. This soft tissue is known as dental pulp and includes nerves and blood vessels, and connective tissues.
In the dentin, several small tubes connect the enamel to the pulp of the teeth. Hot, cold, sugary, and acidic ones might irritate a tooth’s pulp that has lost its enamel, exposing the dentin beneath. This causes discomfort or sensitivity in the teeth.
How To Know If Your Child is Experiencing Toothache
What if your child is unable to express the pain of toothache to you verbally? Your newborn or toddler may not be able to tell you which tooth is hurting or if it’s intense tooth pain, but they can give you nonverbal cues that something is wrong. The following are common indicators of toothache in newborns and toddlers:
- Struggling to sleep
- Refusal to eat, or sudden changes in eating habits
- rubbing of the teeth, gums, and jaw
It would be best to consult with your family dentist if your child experiences persistent tooth pain. In addition to the above symptoms, if your baby or toddler develops a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or above, you should speak with your child’s pediatrician to rule out potentially dangerous medical issues.
Relieving Toothaches in Children
Although it may be tempting to try at-home toothache cures for children, the best thing to do if your child is having tooth pain is to schedule an appointment with a pediatric dentist as soon as possible. Most occurrences of tooth pain necessitate professional treatment, and delaying visits to your child’s dentist may result in potentially catastrophic repercussions.
However, as a parent, you’d still want to try every common home remedy to alleviate the pain. Try the following tips:
Flossing
Assist your child in gently flossing on both sides of a tooth if there is no evident pain or tooth decay (brown spots). When food particles become lodged beneath the gums and teeth, flossing can help remove them.
Cold compress
An ice pack can help reduce edema in children who are experiencing it. In order to alleviate the aches and pains, apply an ice pack to the affected area and then remove it for around twenty minutes.
Counter pain medicine
Toothaches can be relieved by taking over-the-counter (OTC) pain drugs like acetaminophen, Tylenol, or ibuprofen (Advil), which are readily available over-the-counter in most pharmacies. However, it would be best to consult a dentist first.
Saltwater rinse
Because saltwater is an antimicrobial agent, it may help relieve inflammation. As a result of this, broken teeth are protected from infection. As a result, a simple saltwater rinse may help you reduce the discomfort.
An additional way to get rid of food particles and debris lodged in the teeth and gums is to rinse with saltwater.
Leave the Loose Tooth Alone
Do not attempt to remove a loose tooth, no matter how tempted you are. Permit your child to determine whether or not the tooth is loose enough to fall out on its own.
Read Next: A Complete Guide to Teeth Whitening for Kids
Contact Junior Smiles of Stafford to learn more about children tooth pain
Is your child complaining about how much their tooth aches? Call the most reputable pediatric dentist to assist you in handling the situation better! We offer comprehensive dental care for children, including treatment for tooth abscesses. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help your child get healthy teeth and gums!
Why Choose Junior Smiles of Stafford?
Our Stafford, VA team is well-versed in working with clients of various ages and backgrounds. They’ll take the time to get to know you and your family’s requirements, and they’ll work with you to design a treatment plan that suits your schedule. Sealants and fluoride treatments are just two of the many preventative care options we provide to keep your mouth healthy.
About Us
Visiting Junior Smiles of Stafford means you’re in good hands when it comes to receiving high-quality care. Your child’s dental health improves with each visit, ensuring a brighter smile for years to come. We adhere to the ADA and AAPD’s guidelines for best practices.
Where Are We Located?
Phone: (540) 699-2441
Fax: (540) 699-2464
Email: info@juniorsmilesofstafford.com
Monday and Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesdays and Thursdays: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Fridays and Saturdays: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM (By appointment only)
How to Book Your Kids First Appointment at Junior Smiles of Stafford
Fill out the form on our website. Within 24 hours, a member of our team will get back to you.