When a child complains of tooth pain, it can make you, the parent, feel helpless. Luckily, there are ways that you can reduce your child's oral pain and help them through the experience. When your child complains of tooth pain, here are the five steps you should take:
1. Clean The Affected Area
In many cases, tooth pain can be exacerbated by bits of food or debris in your child's mouth, but you can easily eliminate this source of pain by cleaning your child's mouth. Gently brush your child's teeth and have them rinse out their mouth with some warm salt water. If that does not dislodge the debris, try flossing.
2. Distract The Body From The Pain
There are several ways you can distract your child's body from feeling the pain of a toothache. Non-invasive remedies such as holding a towel-wrapped ice pack to the area can reduce pain and swelling. Painkillers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can also be effective. Talk with your pediatrician about the correct dosage before giving your child any over-the-counter medications..
If the pain is not overwhelming, you may be able to distract your child with a fun activity such as watching a movie, reading a book, playing a video game or doing a craft that takes your child's mind off the pain.
3. Avoid Foods That Make The Pain Worse
Very sugary or very salty foods can make tooth pain worse. Do not give these foods to your child until after the tooth has been fixed. If your child has cracked enamel or cavities, the sugar may penetrate the enamel, reach the nerve and cause pain. Extremely hot or cold foods can also have the same painful impact.
4. Seek Professional Help
As soon as possible, call a dentist like G P Dental Partners to make an appointment to have the tooth examined. If your child still complains about pain an hour after you have given them the correct dosage of an over-the-counter painkiller, you need to contact the dentist immediately. Many dentists leave appointment slots open for patients who need to be seen that day due to intense pain.
5. Engage In Preventative Measures
Once the pain is gone and your child's tooth has been fixed, you need to think about the next time this could happen and how to avoid that eventuality. Boost your child's oral hygiene and be as preventative as possible. Have your child brush or chew sugar-free gum after every meal, and schedulethem for regular cleanings and appointments.
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