As a parent, there is nothing worse than seeing your child suffer, be in pain, and being unable to help him. You would do anything to take their pain away. As infants, you remember rubbing their gums when they were teething. As they grow and get older, children will undoubtedly face a time when they develop a severe toothache. We are not talking about the normal process of cutting teeth, which is painful, but of instances of dental trauma, caused by something else.
Although difficult to deal with, you want to be ready for that moment and know what to do when your child is in tears, holding his or her cheek.
3 Ways to Reduce Dental Trauma
Step one – rinse with salt and water
The specialists at rickarddental.com.au recommend you make an appointment right away if your child experiences a toothache. There could be an underlying infection causing the pain and it is essential that it is identified, diagnosed, and treated promptly. While awaiting your appointment, have your child rinse their mouth with a mixture of warm water and salt. It is important that your child is old enough to understand that he must spit the salt water into the sink and not swallow it.
Step two – gentle brush and floss
If the pain is caused by some food stuck in the gum line, you can floss gently around the tooth, but do not use a toothpick or other sharp object.
Step three – reduce pain and inflammation
A light painkiller can be given to the child, following the posology, to help him cope until he sees the dentist. Any swelling can be reduced with the application of ice or a cold compress on the exterior of the cheek.
Underlying Cause
There could be many causes of a toothache, other than stuck-on food. There might be inflammation in the gums or at the root. Your child might grind his teeth at night, applying undue pressure that can irritate the tooth at its root. A tooth can be cracked or have a cavity that went unnoticed so far. Be mindful that a sinus infection can also be the cause of pain in the upper teeth since the sinuses are so close to the mandibula.
Alternate Treatment for Dental Trauma
If you do not have antiseptic ointment to help reduce the pain in the tooth, you can use clove oil and apply it gently on the painful tooth. This is, of course, a temporary remedy and your child still needs to see a dentist. Although tempting, it is important not to put ice directly on the painful tooth as you do not want to freeze the nerve or damage the tooth.
As it is the case with most situations, prevention is such a good medicine. To help your child avoid painful toothaches, encourage and supervise daily brushings, at least two, and daily flossing, at least one. By making sure his teeth are clean, you help him avoid preventable decay.
For any pain that lasts for more than twenty-four hours or that is accompanied by a fever, consult a specialist right away. You do not want an infection to spread.