Your child complains of a sore tooth. In fact, it’s starting to throb. Is it something serious, or simply a tooth developing under the gumline? Dr. Marcela Mujica of All Kids Pediatric Dentistry in Charlotte tells parents to investigate and contact the office for advice.
Many things cause toothaches in children
Developing and soon to erupt teeth sometimes cause jaw pain and gum soreness. Even big teenagers feel miserable when wisdom teeth are on the move. However, your Charlotte pediatric dentist recommends you be absolutely sure why your child is experiencing dental pain. In other words, investigate the source. Many times a cavity, dental abscess (infection), hairline crack or loose filling is the cause of pain, and as such, it needs treatment at All Kids Dentistry.
Take a look
Dr. Mujica advises you look into your child’s mouth to see what’s happening. Decay may be as obvious as small brown spots on the offending tooth. Reddened, swollen gums frequently accompany infection. Also, parents should look for impacted food residue between teeth.
Check all oral surfaces carefully. Look for any obvious injuries--cracks, chips, cuts to the tongue, gums, etc. Question your child as to any recent injury he or she did not mention. Cold sores on the gums are very painful; so look for them as well.
What to do
Get your child comfortable as soon as possible. Over the counter children’s acetaminophen or ibuprofen relieves pain and swelling as does putting a small amount of clove oil on irritated gums. Additionally, an ice pack relieves discomfort when applied for short periods of time. Rubbing the gums with aspirin or whiskey, an old-fashioned toothache remedy, simply burns soft oral tissues; so Dr. Mujica cautions against using these items.
Seeing your Charlotte children’s dentist
Investigate toothache that is severe or that lasts overnight. Contact All KIds Dentistry for an appointment or other directions on what to do.
Areas of serious concern such as decay, infection or fracture require oral examination, x-rays and treatment. Dr. Mujica offers tooth-colored fillings, root canal therapy and crowns even for the youngest of patients. The objectives are getting the patient comfortable and addressing failing or injured tooth structure. Even baby teeth are important to a child’s speech development, appearance, digestion and sense of well-being. Additionally, baby teeth help developing teeth form and erupt properly.
The best toothache cure
Preventive dental care helps avoid toothaches. KIds should brush and floss daily with parental supervision and get semi-annual check-ups and cleanings with their Charlotte pediatric dentist. Also, fluoride treatments and sealants protect against cavities--the number one disease condition in American children.
Why not contact Dr. Mujica’s staff today to schedule your child’s routine dental visit? Ask about other ways to prevent and treat pediatric toothaches.
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