Toothaches hurt as much in childhood as they do when you’re an adult, but it feels excruciating when little. It’s only natural to get distressed when your child is wailing from a toothache. But is a toothache a dental emergency, or will home remedies and OTC painkillers relieve the pain?
Not every toothache is a dental emergency, and understanding which one is will help you make a well-informed decision when your child suffers from one. Here are a couple of signs your child’s tooth pain is a dental emergency.
Your child experiencing extreme toothache is a definite cause for concern. If your child describes a sharp, throbbing pain, see the dentist immediately. Ordinary painkillers and home remedies won’t help with the pain. A dentist will get to the root cause of the pain and address it once and for all.
Tooth pain accompanied by visible swelling indicates an abscessed tooth. An abscessed tooth has a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection. Abscesses don’t disappear on their own and, if ignored, they can spread to the head, neck, and jaws.
An abscessed tooth is extremely painful and poses a serious health risk. Seek prompt treatment from a licensed dentist if your child’s tooth pain is accompanied by a swollen face or jaw. Doing so helps prevent a life-threatening condition known as sepsis.
Not all chipped and cracked teeth are painful, but severe ones are. Rush your child to the nearest dentist if their tooth cracks or chips. Early treatment eliminates the pain, prevents dental problems, and allows complete tooth restoration. A severely cracked or chipped tooth is a dental emergency you shouldn’t overlook.
Bleeding gums is a sign of gum disease, which can cause severe tooth pain if it spreads to the teeth. Gum disease in itself isn’t a dental emergency but becomes one when it leads to bleeding gums and severe tooth pain.
The dentist will check the severity of the gum disease and prevent it from worsening. Gum disease can eventually lead to endocarditis, compromising your child’s heart health. Emergency dental care helps sidestep a lot of health problems down the line.
Your child’s teeth falling out is a dental emergency unless they’re still losing their milk teeth. A tooth falling out is incredibly painful, especially if knocked out. If you see the dentist early enough, you may be able to save your child’s tooth. However, you only have one or two hours to do so for a successful restoration.
It’s hard to see your little one complaining about a toothache. However, it's not a dental emergency if it doesn’t meet the above criteria. If it does, rush your kid to the nearest dentist for immediate treatment.
Contact Little Smiles Of Eastvale if your child suffers from a persistent toothache. Our experienced Eastvile children’s dentists will address their tooth pain and ensure their teeth remain strong and healthy.
