What to Do If Your Child Has a Toothache

Your children’s health and happiness are a focus for any parent. One thing that commonly causes children pain, however, is toothaches. Tooth sensitivity is usually a sign that your child’s enamel has worn off.

Tooth decay is caused by bacteria that convert the sugar in food into acids, thereby eroding the tooth. It is crucial for you as a parent to always encourage your young ones to develop good oral hygiene like regular brushing and flossing to proactively fend off toothaches.

When teeth suffer decay or damage, pain and discomfort are likely to follow. Additionally, when your child’s teeth are emerging, they are likely to experience a lot of discomfort. Here are a few child toothache home remedy guidelines that might come in handy when your child has a toothache at home.

Rinse with Warm Water

Prepare a salt and warm water solution. Have your child gargle and rinse their mouth with the solution for a minimum of 20 seconds. Through the process of osmosis, saltwater kills bacteria. Rinsing works by raising the PH balance in the mouth. This creates an alkaline oral environment making it more difficult for bacteria to grow and spread.

Bacteria tend to thrive in acidic settings. Salt helps to neutralize acids in the mouth. Saltwater is a common home remedy for a child’s toothache. However, it wears off after a while so it’s only a temporary measure. It is worth noting that salt solution acts as a preventive measure against infections after dental procedures. Additionally, it also aids in the healing process.

A Cold Pack of Ice

When your child is suffering from a lasting toothache, there is usually swelling, too. For a child with swelling from a toothache try holding an ice pack against the outside of the cheek. An ice pack can be made using a bag of frozen peas, ice cubes, or a gel pack. Compression also helps to reduce swelling, which can also help fend off further inflammation.

Inflammation is often caused by a condition called pulpitis. This happens when bacteria attack the pulp of a tooth, causing it to swell. A cold pack narrows blood vessels, causing them to tighten. As a result, there is less blood flow in the affected area which aids in numbing the pain while reducing the inflammation.

Pain killers

If your child’s pain persists, over–the–counter drugs come in handy. Medications such as ibuprofen and aspirin help relieve the pain from toothaches. Numbing the pain is another option. You can apply numbing pastes or gels which contain benzocaine to help neutralize the pain temporarily. Just like all other home remedies, this is a temporary solution and you should go see your dentist to have them diagnose the root cause of the pain.

Let’s look at some more outside-the-box home remedies for children’s toothaches if the more common ones listed above aren’t immediately available. And it’s important to stress again here, these home remedies should not replace a diagnosis from a dentist and we strongly urge you to see one if your child is having oral health issues.

Garlic

Garlic is known worldwide for its medicinal value. It contains antibacterial and antimicrobial properties because of a compound called allicin. Allicin is commonly found in fresh garlic. Crush a fresh clove, mix it with a teaspoon of salt and apply the mixture to the tooth.

Peppermint Tea

Peppermint also contains antibacterial compounds. Place a peppermint tea bag on the painful area of your child’s tooth. It’s recommended to put the teabag in the freezer to enhance the cooling effect. You can also rest the tea bag in hot water for a while, and then remove it to allow it to cool down. Let your child take the solution and swish in the mouth, then spit it out.

Thyme

Thyme is also known for its antibacterial and antioxidant properties that can be helpful in relieving toothaches. You can use it by dabbing a few drops of thyme essential oil and water on a cotton ball and applying it to the tooth. Consider adding thyme oil to water and have your child rinse with the mix as a mouthwash.

Aloe Vera

Due to its antibacterial properties aloe vera has plenty of uses. It’s not only good for your skin, it’s also recommended for killing infectious bacteria which cause tooth decay. To try it out, apply aloe vera gel to the affected area of your child’s tooth.

If you are looking for child toothache home remedy to relieve your kid’s toothache, know that these methods might provide some temporary relief but won’t fix the real cause of your child’s tooth pain. If the pain persists you should visit a dentist and have them diagnose and treat the issue.

Need to see a professional?

If your child is experiencing tooth pain and you’re located in Southeast Michigan, please visit your nearest Fortson Dentistry location.