What To Do If Your Child Has A Toothache

Posted March 20, 2020

When your child expresses that they are experiencing dental pain, you may be tempted to write it off as growing pains or a tooth becoming loose. However, there are dangers to ignoring oral pain, as it could be a sign of serious tooth decay or even an infection. So, in today’s blog, your Dallas, TX, pediatric dentists will explain some of the causes of a toothache, and how we can handle it when you bring your child into our office.

Causes of Tooth Pain

When your child complains of a toothache, it isn’t something to take lightly. Of course, your first step should be to check your child’s mouth to make sure that the source of their pain is not a piece of food (popcorn is particularly pesky) stuck between their gums and teeth or a tooth that is currently breaking through their gums, which would make the pain a natural result of teething. In either of these situations, you probably don’t need to call your child’s dentist, unless their pain persists after removing the aggravating object or as the tooth continues to come in, as this shouldn’t cause an intense amount of discomfort. If you check your child’s mouth and everything looks the way it should, your child’s pain could mean a dental emergency, as it could be caused by gum disease or even an abscessed or impacted tooth, but it is most likely due to a cavity.

Preventing Cavities

Unfortunately, children are highly susceptible to cavities due to their motor skills not being as refined as those of an adult. As we’re sure you know, children may have difficulty brushing their teeth perfectly, as maneuvering around their mouths with a toothbrush is something that takes time to master, and can be seen as a tedious chore, which makes them want to do it less. So, if your child complains about a toothache, a cavity is a likely cause, and you should call Dr. Marr and Dr. Seo at Pediatric Dental Care at Casa Linda as soon as possible to make an appointment so that the tooth doesn’t have time to decay even more and lead to needing the tooth extracted.

While Here

In our office, Dr. Marr or Dr. Seo will assess the cause of the toothache and discuss the best plan of action with you, which may likely include a dental filling. This will keep the decay from spreading to the rest of your child’s tooth as well as their other teeth and gums, keeping their mouth healthy and developing properly. We can also offer a fluoride treatment to prevent against future cavities or dental sealants for any troublesome areas that may be particularly susceptible to future cavities. Perhaps most importantly, we will work diligently to keep your child smiling without unnecessary dental pain.

Don’t Hesitate to Call!

If your child complains of a toothache or other issues with their teeth or oral tissues, you should schedule a visit as soon as possible to determine the cause. To learn more, schedule an appointment by calling Pediatric Dental Care at Casa Linda in Dallas, TX today at 214-321-4880. We proudly serve patients who live around Casa Linda and all surrounding Dallas communities.