How to Get Rid of a Toothache

5 Ways to Get Rid of Your Toothache As Fast As Possible

If you have ever had a toothache, you know it isn’t fun. Toothaches are caused by inflammation of the central portion of the tooth, commonly referred to as the pulp. The pulp is full of nerve endings that are pretty sensitive to pain. This inflammation comes on due to dental cavities, dental trauma, or mouth or tooth infection. Unfortunately, a toothache can be all-consuming for anyone, and can also be incredibly traumatizing for a child.

What causes a toothache in kids?

As we mentioned, toothaches can come on for various reasons, including dental cavities, dental trauma, or mouth or tooth infection. More specifically, your child’s toothache may come from one of the following causes:

1. Emerging primary or secondary teeth in children
2. Chipped teeth/cracked tooth enamel
3. Loose or missing fillings
4. Tooth erosion or decay
5. Food stuck between the teeth
6. Cluster or migraine headaches (not as common in children, but still possible)
7. Clogged or infected sinuses
8. Problems in the joints or muscles that connect the jaw to the skull

Therefore, if your child is experiencing tooth pain, you probably want to understand how to help them get rid of a toothache. But before we provide you with some strategies to help relieve your child’s toothache pain, let’s review the symptoms and what to look for in your child.

What are the symptoms of a toothache?

Younger children can’t necessarily articulate the source of their pain or that they’re experiencing multiple symptoms. But parents tend to be in tune with their kids and can better identify that various things are going on. In particular, parents should be on the lookout for the following symptoms of a toothache:

• Pain when your child is chewing
• Child complaining that their head is hurting
  Child complaining of tooth sensitivity to heat or cold
• Bleeding or discharge from around your child’s tooth or gums
• Swelling around a tooth or swelling of your child’s jaw
• Injury or trauma to the mouth
• Halitosis (bad breath)
• Fever
• Swollen glands (you may notice this in your child’s neck)

5 Tricks to Get Rid of a Toothache

Thankfully, there are some things that you can do at home to help you get rid of your child’s toothache. We’ve compiled a list of tooth pain remedies and recommendations to help you lessen your child’s toothache pain. However, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention that if your child is experiencing a toothache in Salem, Oregon, we highly recommend requesting an appointment with Spinnaker Pediatric Dentistry.

1. Have your child rinse their mouth with a warm saltwater rinse

Saltwater works as a natural antibacterial agent and can help reduce inflammation. In turn, saltwater can help protect your child’s damaged teeth from further infection and help remove any food debris that has become stuck in the teeth or gums. To make this rinse, add ½ a teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water and mix.

2. Place a cold compress on your child’s face

Just as an ice pack can help lessen pain for a boo-boo or other wound, it can also help to reduce the pain related to a toothache. If you don’t have an ice pack on hand, simply put some ice cubes into a plastic bag and then wrap the bag in a thin towel. The cold will help constrict the blood vessels, thus lessening the pain so that your child can get some rest. A cold compress will be most effective when applied for 15 to 20 minutes every three or four hours.

3. Get an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) are helpful toothache pain relievers, especially for mild-to-moderate toothaches. However, it’s crucial that you carefully review the dosage information on the packaging, especially when giving one of these OTC medications to your child.

4. Book an appointment with Spinnaker Pediatric Dentistry

If your child is experiencing a toothache, it is essential to get them to a dentist in order to identify the root cause. Usually, your child will be on their way to toothache relief with just one visit to the pediatric dentist.

5. Have your child suck on a peppermint tea bag

Though this method doesn’t often work for younger children, older children and teenagers may benefit from swishing peppermint tea around in their mouths or gently sucking on a peppermint tea bag. Dental researchers have found that peppermint contains both antibacterial and antioxidant compounds. In particular, menthol, an active ingredient in peppermint, can produce a mild numbing effect on sensitive areas, thus relieving toothache pain long enough for your child to sleep through the night.

How Spinnaker Pediatric Dentistry Can Help

First, of course, we’re here to help fix that toothache! We’ll fit you in and determine the best  tooth pain remedy for your child. And remember, the sooner your child is seen, the sooner their pediatric dentist can determine if a cavity filling, dental filling, or dental crown for kids is the treatment needed.

In some cases, your child may need to practice better oral hygiene habits. If this is the situation for your child, we can help with fun ways to get your child to brush and floss. Whatever treatment is determined to get rid of a toothache, the team at Spinnaker Pediatric Dentistry can help get your child on their way to feeling better in no time.