How To Help Your Child Cope With Toothache Pain: Tips And Tricks

Seeing your child in pain is distressing, especially since it’s often hard to determine what the cause is. If they are old enough to verbally communicate or point to the affected area, you can examine it and look for signs of a broken tooth or gums, like swelling, bleeding, or discoloration.

Know Where the Pain Is Originating

Before trying any home remedies for tooth pain, it’s important to know where the pain is coming from. Ask your child if they can point to the area of discomfort or examine their mouth for redness or swelling in the gums and cheeks, broken or chipped teeth, or even a lost tooth.

One of the easiest and cheapest home remedies for a toothache is to mix an eight-ounce glass of warm water (not hot or cold) with a teaspoon of table salt, advises the AAP. Then, have your child swish this solution around their mouth and spit it out. The antibacterial properties of the salt will kill bacteria in their mouth and reduce inflammation, easing the pain.

Another quick and easy remedy is a cold compress. You can buy a gel-style cold compress or simply wrap ice in a cloth and place it on your child’s outer cheek near the affected area to help reduce inflammation and pain by constricting blood vessels.

You should also give your child over-the-counter kid toothache pain relief medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Be sure to read the label carefully and administer the proper dosage based on your child’s age and weight.

Help Your Child Floss

As a parent, it is hard to see your child in pain. Toothaches are especially difficult to handle for children because they can’t tell you where the pain is coming from. However, there are some things you can do to help ease their discomfort until you can get them into a dentist for an examination and proper dental care.

One of the biggest causes of toothaches is food stuck in unreachable places. This is especially common in children who have new teeth growing in. Help your child floss to get rid of any food particles that might be causing their discomfort. You can also rinse their mouth with warm salt water to reduce bacteria, soothe inflammation and relieve the pain.

Another easy home remedy is clove oil. Cloves have anti-inflammatory properties and contain eugenol, which is a natural anesthetic. Have your child place a dab of clove oil on the affected area of their gums to alleviate their pain and reduce swelling. You can also help ease their pain with a cold compress by wrapping a gel-style freezer pack or a bag of ice in a soft cloth and placing it on the outside of their cheek, close to the painful area.

Lastly, you can have your child try eating something softer like soup or a piece of toast to help reduce their discomfort and promote healing. Avoid giving them crunchy foods and sugary treats, as they will only make the pain worse. Also, it is a good idea to have your child drink lots of water and take over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

Give Your Child Over-the-Counter Pain Medication

Depending on your child’s age and dosage, over-the-counter children’s pain medicine like acetaminophen or ibuprofen may be helpful. Always read the Drug Facts label and follow dosage instructions carefully. In addition, make sure to have a dosing device such as a medicine dropper or spoon to administer medication and to keep track of how much your child has taken.

Other over-the-counter remedies that can help your child deal with toothache pain include rinsing with warm salt water (dissolve a teaspoon of table salt in a glass of water) to reduce inflammation and fight germs in their mouth. Putting an ice pack on the outside of their cheek in the area of their tooth or gums can also ease swelling and pain.

If your child is a baby or toddler who is having a painful tooth, you should call your pediatrician to see what they recommend. Generally, a gentle touch or cuddle is a good way to comfort your child during their painful episode and give them extra love.

It can be very distressing to watch your child in pain, and it is important to find the cause of their toothache and get them to a dentist as quickly as possible. By following the simple tips and tricks in this blog, you can help your child cope with their toothache until they can get to a dentist for care.

Keep Your Child Calm

While most toothaches are caused by minor issues, it is still important to know how to help your child cope with the pain until they can be seen by a dentist. If your child is old enough to tell you where their pain is coming from, ask them to point it out and examine the area for redness, swollen gums, loose teeth, or mouth injuries. You can also help them floss to remove any stuck food particles and use a cold compress on the face or cheek near the pain to reduce swelling and numb the pain.

If your child is old enough to swallow medicine you can try giving them over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Be sure to give them the recommended dosage for children and that they take it exactly as directed.

Another way to reduce swelling is by rinsing with salt water. Mix a teaspoon of table salt with warm water and let your child rinse it around their mouth for 30 seconds before they spit it out. Rinsing with this solution can kill bacteria and help to reduce oral inflammation and pain. You can also try putting a few drops of thyme essential oil onto a cotton ball and applying it to the irritated area. You can also make a teething ring with a washrag and place it in the freezer to chew on.