OPC Klinik

Oral and Dental Health

Toothache in Children and Treatment Methods

Tooth decay is the most common cause of toothache in children. Problems with the gums and enamel are also among the leading causes of this situation. It is crucial to consider your child’s discomfort and see a specialized dentist to protect your child’s oral and dental health.

Tooth decay in children is prevalent because food debris remains between the teeth and cannot be cleaned. To prevent this situation, it is a good idea to avoid very hot, icy, and sweet foods and drinks. To prevent your child from this kind of pain, you should pay attention to dental and oral hygiene. However, if the discomfort does not subside, be sure to see a dentist.

It is a serious mistake that many parents make when they ignore their child’s toothache, believing that permanent teeth will grow under the baby’s teeth. These underestimated pains and abscesses not only cause discomfort and uneasiness to children but also cause problems that affect fever, inflammation, infection, and even heart health.

Some of the causes of toothache in children are as follows:
-Tooth decay,
-Gingivitis,
-Tooth abscess,
-Permanent teeth begin to erupt,
-Chipped or broken teeth

Toothaches can limit your child’s daily activities, make him/her restless, and disrupt his/her diet. At first, you can try to relieve this toothache with some methods at home. After that, you should visit a pediatric dentist to find out the cause of the pain. By listening to your child’s discomfort, the dentist can easily find out the reason (s) with a standard examination of the mouth and teeth and initiate appropriate treatment. If the pain is severe and prolonged, your dentist will take an x-ray of the tooth to determine the general condition of the tooth and whether an infection is present.
Treatment Methods

If an infection or abscess causes toothache in children, treatments such as antibiotic treatment, a filling, or tooth extraction may be considered. An abscess manifests severe symptoms such as bruising, swelling in the gums, fever, headache, and earache. If the gum abscess is advanced, swelling and bruising can extend to the face and under the eyes.

Although toothache in children is usually caused by tooth decay, sometimes this pain can be caused by gum disease. If a gum abscess causes toothache, immediate action should be taken. Otherwise, the infection can spread to the teeth and even to the bone as well as the gums. A gum abscess treatment consists of eliminating the inflammation of the gums. To do this, the gum tissue or pocket is cut. Since this procedure is performed under local anesthesia, your child does not suffer during the process.

The most critical step in preventing tooth and gum pain in children is taking care of their mouth and teeth. Children who brush their teeth properly and regularly from a young age are less likely to have dental problems later in life. It is your responsibility as a parent to get a proper toothbrush and toothpaste for your child and teach them proper brushing techniques. Do not forget to have them brush their teeth at least twice a day.

In addition to oral and dental hygiene, minimizing the consumption of sugary foods and having at least two routine checkups with the dentist each year will also help your child have healthier teeth. If there is a problem, the dentist can intervene early.