5 Things you Should Do If Your Child Complains of a Toothache

Toothache is the most common oral ailment among children of all ages. As a parent, it may cause you a lot of concern to see your 5-year-old with tooth pain at night. However, most of the time, a child’s toothache is not caused by a dental emergency, and you can temporarily treat it at home as you wait for the morning to get your child to the dentist.

Why Are My Child’s Teeth Hurting?

Although it is not a good idea to use the internet to diagnose the cause of toothache your child is experiencing, getting some knowledge on the common causes of a toothache can alleviate some of your anxiety.

Here are some of the common causes of toothache in children:

• • • A deep cavity or tooth decay
    • An infected tooth with an abscessed root
    • A fractured tooth
    • An old and damaged filling
    • Gum infection, also known as periodontal disease
    • Pain from teeth grinding or gum chewing

Although the cause of your child’s tooth pain may be benign, we at Monica Crooks Dentistry do not want to take any chances when it comes to your children’s health, especially when they are in pain.

How Do You Get Rid of a Child’s Toothache At Night?

It can be stressful when your child experiences a toothache at night, and the dentist clinic is closed. Don’t panic, though. There are many ways you can try to relieve tooth pain.

Look for Signs of Injury

The first thing you need to do is to find the cause of your child’s toothache. For example, your child may have suffered trauma to the mouth while playing that may have damaged their gums or teeth. If your child is old enough, ask them to point out where it hurts. It would help if you also looked for telltale signs of injury or infection, including red or bleeding gums, chipped, cracked, or discolored teeth, swelling in the mouth, or some other signs of trauma.

Look for Signs of Dental Disease

Examine your child’s teeth for dark spots or cavities. If you see a cavity in your child’s tooth, it is likely the source of the toothache. Keep in mind, though, that some causes of toothache are invisible to the naked eye, including deep-tooth infection. In this case, you should keep an eye for swollen gums that can point to infection related to tooth decay.

Help Your Child Floss

Sometimes, the cause of toothache in your child is much simpler and benign. Food debris can easily get stuck in between the tiny gaps in your child’s teeth, resulting in discomfort. Try to find if this is the cause by gently removing food particles with dental floss. Make sure you are super-gentle as your child’s gum may be sensitive. If your child is young and struggles with flossing, try using a water floss to detach the food debris from the gums.

Relieve Pain Symptoms

When a child is in pain, every parent starts thinking about how to stop the tooth pain at home fast. Here are some ways:

• • • Applying a dentist-approved toothache gel on the affected area to numb the pain
    • Give your child the appropriate dose of OTC anti-inflammatory medications, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
    • Make an antibacterial salt water mouth rinse and ask your child to rinse their mouth for 30 seconds.
    • Applying a cold compress to the swollen side of the child’s face.
    • A popular home remedy is the use of clove oil, which contains antibacterial properties.
    • Do not crush or rub aspirin on the child’s tooth or gum as it can cause acidic burns.

Prevent Toothache in the First Place

Keep in mind that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. To prevent toothache in your child, you should encourage them to practice good oral hygiene. Here are some ways you can keep your child’s teeth in excellent shape:

• • • Brush twice a day every day with ADA-approved toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush.
    • Floss their teeth daily to remove food particles from the mouth.
    • Rinse their mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash after every meal.
    • Control their sugar intake.
    • Make sure they wear a mouthguard when playing sport to reduce the risk of injuries.
    • Take them to the dentist every six months for a dental checkup.
    • Ask about fluoride treatment and sealants.

Can I Take My Child to the ER for Tooth Pain?

Typically, ERs do not have emergency dentists who can treat tooth pain or other minor dental issues. They may, however, have oral surgeons on call if you or your child experience a severe problem like a fractured jaw, have a severe fever due to infection, have facial swelling, or a concussion after a blow to the head or mouth.

However, if your complaint is just ordinary tooth pain, in most cases, it can wait until the next day. We recommend that you schedule an appointment with Dr. Monica Crooks if your child has a toothache due to a cavity and requires a filling, root canal, or a potential extraction for treatment.

As a parent, it can be unsettling to see your child in pain. That is why we advise you to educate yourself on the causes of toothache and how to alleviate them temporarily.

If you want more information on kids’ dental care, we recommend you request an appointment at or call (916) 922-2027.