How Do You Help a Child With Tooth Pain

Seeing your child in pain is always unpleasant. As a parent, you may feel lost while you try to comfort them. Tooth pain can feel especially frustrating, as the mouth is a particularly difficult area to deliver comfort to. There are ways to help a child with tooth pain, and you may need to see an emergency dentist.

Correct Pain Killers

Over-the-counter medicines usually act quickly to reduce pain. It's important to find the correct dose and format for your child. Younger children are less likely to want to take tablets, as they could find them difficult to swallow. If you do use a pain killer, try speaking to your dentist or a pharmacist about paracetamol or ibuprofen. They'll offer advice on the dose you need to use for your child's weight and height. Your little one should report a reduction in pain within an hour. If their pain worsens or the painkillers aren't helping, speak to an emergency dentist.

Cold Compresses

If your child is suffering from tooth pain, inflammation is a part of the process. Inflammation is the body's response to infection and injury. Although it has protective benefits, it can place pressure on surrounding nerves. When this happens to your child, they may experience pain that they find difficult to ignore. Using a cold compress is an effective way to reduce inflammation. Cold compresses cause blood vessels to narrow slightly, which in turn means fewer fluids are reaching the affected area. How well your child complies with a cold compress can vary depending on their age. If yours is especially young, try applying the compress while giving them a cuddle or demonstrate the use of the compress on yourself or a teddy first. If they're very resistant, it may be because the pain is severe. As such, you should speak with a dentist.

Tackle Emergency Pain

Sometimes a child's toothache is due to a dental emergency. For example, if they fall over and injure their mouth while playing sports, they could damage a nerve. Additionally, if an infection sets in rapidly, it might require an urgent assessment. If you're ever in doubt about the nature of your child's pain, speak to an emergency dentist. Until they reach a certain age, children don't communicate symptoms as effectively as adults do. As such, it's worth speaking to a professional who can measure their signs and symptoms. From there, you should gain access to the right treatment for reducing their pain.


Share