What You Should Do When Your Child Has a Toothache
Toothaches can be scary for your children. All of a sudden, eating hurts. Talking hurts. Laughing hurts. But those are their favorite things to do! When your child has a toothache, it is important to relieve their pain, but it’s even more important to address any underlying problems that may be causing the toothache. Here are some ideas on how to help cure a toothache.
Try Home Remedies
The first stop of care happens at home, and it’s important to watch for signs that your child may have a toothache so you can catch problems early on. Sometimes they’ll have a harder time eating or be more resistant to teeth brushing. They may also drool more or just seem more irritable in general.
To ease your child’s pain as quickly as possible, there are some home remedies that you can use. These are great options if you are unable to go to the dentist immediately or if you know what the cause is (such as a loose tooth that is about to come out). For a child who is teething, there are toys that you can place in the fridge or freezer that will offer some relief as your child chews on them. Here are some options for older children:
Cold compress on the outside of their cheek
Swishing with a salt water rinse
Wet peppermint tea bag between the tooth and the cheek.
Find a Dentist
Once you get the chance, it’s important to take your child to the dentist to make sure that the toothache doesn’t have other serious issues lying under the surface. Symptom treating, like above, isn’t always going to solve the problem.
Going to the dentist is no one’s favorite, but it can be especially scary for your child. Find a dentist that will be best for your child to alleviate some of those fears. Of course, it’s important to find the basics: a dentist that is close, has good hours, can help in case of emergencies, and can take your insurance.
But it is also important to look for other factors beyond those logistical concerns. You should look for dentists that are part of professional organizations that prove their competency in their field. You should also look into whether they are a pediatric dentist. Because of their extra training, they will know what signs to look for and how to best act around your child to put them at ease.
Prevent Future Toothaches
There are many ways to keep your children’s teeth healthy. One way is through their diet. Too much soda or other sugary items breaks down their teeth and causes them to rot. Often, children are also unaware how to best care for their teeth by drinking plenty of water, brushing properly, and flossing. As you start habits early, however, this will become natural to them and they can avoid bad toothaches in the future.
Toothaches aren’t fun—for the child or the parent. But never fear; there are ways to minimize and solve the pain. Oral care isn’t the easiest in children, but by doing these things, you will improve your child’s overall health.
Read this next: Tips for Finding the Right Pediatrician for Your Baby