Those who follow pediatric dentistry understand how vital the work is. Dealing with patients as young as infants may prove challenging to those who are not prepared. Parents often rely on these providers' advice to help their children. When it comes to caring for a child's dental health, a toothache may become a huge problem. Consider these tips from those who are trained on how to deal with this issue.
Kids cannot always vocalize what exactly is wrong. Depending on the age of the child, they may tell parents their mouth hurts, but sometimes not much more. A toothache may point to specific conditions or a mouth injury that requires medical attention. These are the most common causes of tooth pain in children:
If a parent is unsure about what is causing the pain, a trip to the pediatric dentist is warranted.
What happens when a toothache crops up in the middle of the night or on the weekend? Unless there are signs of an infection or injury, a parent may be able to help with pain at home until the dentist opens.
Warm water and salt make a dynamic duo for cleaning out the mouth. A saltwater rinse can help dislodge any particles around the sore area and also help remove bacteria that may be hanging around. At this time, a parent can examine the area that hurts. If the gums are swollen and red with a bubble, the problem may be an abscess or infection. A fever adds to this suspicion. This requires a trip to an emergency dentist, as does a visual hole, crack or chip in the tooth or gum in the area of the pain.
Depending on the child's age, the parent may give an over-the-counter pain medication to help ease the pain. If the child reports a reduction in pain, the issue may be a new tooth coming in and not something worse. Parents may also try a numbing gel applied to gums if an erupting tooth is the culprit.
Even if it is the weekend, continued pain warrants a call to the dentist's office. The staff can ask further questions to help diagnose the problem. Further solutions may be offered, such as gently brushing and flossing the tender area to remove food that may be stuck. However, if the gums or tooth show any obvious signs that something is wrong, skip this and request an appointment.
Dental practices that deal with kids understand the need for sensitivity and quick action to help ease any kind of oral discomfort a child feels. Pediatric dentistry offices are an invaluable resource in the event of a toothache.
Are you considering pediatric dentistry in the Middletown area? Get more information at https://www.hvkidsmiles.com.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
Brushing and flossing teeth are critical oral hygiene basics every child should establish as part of their care routines. Many children already know the proper procedures and benefits of brushing their teeth regularly, but flossing sometimes gets left out. Good oral hygiene helps prevent decay, diseases, and other systems issues within the body. Proper flossing…
Though brushing your child’s teeth is one of the most important oral hygiene basics, flossing is just as vital. Pediatric dentists can work with parents to teach children how to floss properly, protecting their oral health for years to come. This article will cover how flossing can strengthen your child’s teeth, prevent gum disease, and…
A healthy oral structure plays a vital role in a child's development, and conditions like lip ties can pose challenges. Lip tie laser surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that releases the restricted tissue under the upper lip. This treatment can significantly improve a child's quality of life by addressing feeding difficulties, speech development issues,…
Baby root canals may be necessary for your child. Your child’s baby teeth may have been damaged by an injury or decay. Keeping the affected baby tooth is important for the emergence of permanent teeth. Here is a useful guide to proper pediatric dental care when your child needs baby root canals.Detecting and treating root…
Brushing and flossing teeth are critical oral hygiene basics every child should establish as part…
Though brushing your child’s teeth is one of the most important oral hygiene basics, flossing…
A healthy oral structure plays a vital role in a child's development, and conditions like…
Baby root canals may be necessary for your child. Your child’s baby teeth may have…
Tooth decay happens when the enamel, or tooth surface, is damaged. You can use oral…
Oral hygiene basics include how to get rid of plaque and tartar. However, there is…