Recognizing The Benefits of Dental Implants

No one wants to see their child in pain. But if your child has a cavity or periodontal care, they may be experiencing sensitivity or minor pain in and around the tooth or gums. Unfortunately, either issue alone is not a dental emergency so a dentist, periodontist or pediatric dentist may be unable to see your child that day or the next day. When this happens, you will want to keep your child comfortable until their appointment and minimize their pain. Here are a few of the ways you can reduce tooth pain in children at home. 

Use a Salt Water Rinse

One of the best ways to naturally minimize tooth pain in a child is to use a salt water rinse. Mix a teaspoon of salt in with a small amount of warm water. Ensure the water is not too hot or you can burn your child's gums and cause more pain. Have the child rinse the mixture around in their mouth. The salt helps to decrease swelling, while the warm water eases pain. And if your child accidentally swallows a bit of the mixture, it will not harm them. 

Place a Cold Compress on the Affected Area

Another way to decrease tooth pain in a child is to place a cold compress on the affected area. This includes a bag of ice or an ice pack wrapped in a cloth or washcloth. You may be tempted to place a heating pad on your child's face to help minimize tooth pain but this should be avoided. First, heating pads can burn children's delicate facial skin. Second, if bacteria is present, it thrives in the heat. As such, cold is the preferred method for numbing the pain associated with toothaches. 

Use an Over-the-Counter Pain Reliever

While you may want to minimize the amount of medication you give your child, using an over-the-counter pain reliever that contains acetaminophen is recommended if your child has a toothache. The pain reliever can numb the pain and reduce inflammation. If you do give your child medication, be sure to follow dosage instructions on the package to ensure you do not give your child too much. 

If your child is experiencing tooth or gum pain, they should be seen by their dentist, pediatric dentist, or periodontist, such as The Family Dentist, within a few days. If the pain increases, you notice swelling in the cheek or jaw, or your child begins to run a fever, you will want to take them to their dentist or an emergency dentist immediately as they may have a dental abscess. Otherwise, the above tips should help you to keep your child as comfortable as possible until their dental appointment.