Child Toothache: How to Help at Home and When to See a Dentist

Few things unsettle a parent like a child pointing at their mouth and saying it hurts. The good news is that most toothaches can be eased safely at home for a short time while you arrange to see a dentist. The key is knowing which steps actually help and which warning signs mean you should not wait.

First, stay calm and take a look

A child in pain often cannot tell you exactly what is wrong, so a gentle look inside the mouth helps. Check for anything obvious, such as food wedged between teeth, a visibly broken tooth, or a swollen, red area of gum. What you see will help you and the dentist figure out what is going on.

Home care that is safe and effective

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and the American Dental Association (ADA) point to a few simple, low-risk steps you can take while waiting to be seen:

• Rinse the sore area with warm water. A gentle warm-water rinse can flush out any trapped food or debris around the tooth and soothe the area.
• Use a cold compress for swelling. If your child's face looks swollen, hold a cold compress against the outside of the cheek.
• Offer an appropriate pain reliever. A children's dose of acetaminophen (such as Children's Tylenol) or an NSAID like ibuprofen, given according to the label for your child's age and weight, can manage the pain. A recent ADA guideline confirms that acetaminophen, NSAIDs, or the two in combination effectively manage dental pain in children.

One thing to avoid

Do not place aspirin directly on the tooth or gums. This is an old home remedy that can burn the delicate tissue in a child's mouth. Give pain relief by mouth, following the package directions, rather than applying anything to the sore spot.

What a toothache is usually telling you

Pain is a signal, not a diagnosis. In children, a toothache commonly points to one of a few things:

1. Trapped food pressing on the gum, which often resolves once the area is rinsed clean.
2. A cavity that has reached the sensitive inner layers of the tooth.
3. A new tooth erupting, which can cause temporary soreness.
4. A cracked or chipped tooth, sometimes after a bump or fall.

Because these causes are so different, home care is meant to hold your child comfortably until a dentist can identify the real reason and treat it.

When to call the dentist

Any toothache is worth a call. The AAPD advises making an appointment with your child's dentist or pediatrician as soon as possible when a toothache appears. If they cannot see your child right away, they may suggest an over-the-counter pain reliever to manage things in the meantime.

Some situations deserve a more urgent response. Contact your child's dentist or pediatrician promptly if:

• The pain continues or gets worse despite home care
• Your child develops facial swelling
• Your child has a fever

If your child is in significant pain and cannot be seen by a dentist or pediatrician, an urgent care clinic or hospital emergency department is the right next step. Swelling and fever in particular can signal an infection that needs prompt professional attention.

Preventing the next one

Most childhood toothaches trace back to tooth decay, which is largely preventable. Brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, keeping sugary snacks and drinks to mealtimes, and seeing a dentist for regular checkups all lower the odds of a painful surprise down the road. Regular visits also let a dentist catch a small cavity before it ever reaches the nerve and starts to hurt.

If you would like a calm, organized walk-through of how to prevent the most common dental problems in childhood, start with the main seminar page.

Sources

Guidance in this article reflects published recommendations from the AAPD and ADA.