If your child has been complaining about a toothache or pain in their mouth, this may indicate a dental health issue that should be taken care of right away. Toothaches that persist for more than a day or two are a sign that you should schedule a visit with Dr. Julie at Marshfield Pediatric Dentistry as soon as possible. These are a few things to keep in mind if you child has a persistent toothache:
Don’t Ignore Toothaches – They Happen For A Reason!
Toothaches always happen for a reason, and they should not be ignored. The cause can be as simple as a piece of food irritating the gum around the tooth, but it can also be a more severe problem. There is nothing more important than your child’s health and happiness, and when it comes to your child’s dental care, it is always better to be safe than sorry!
Common Causes Of Toothaches
Wondering what may cause a toothache? Here are the four most common reasons your child may be suffering from a painful, achy tooth.
Abscessed tooth – An abscess is caused by a bacterial infection at the root of the tooth. This infection can quickly spread to the rest of the tooth, leading to severe pain and discomfort
Dental trauma – If your child has an accident that results in dental trauma, this can cause a toothache. In minor cases, the tooth may just be sore and painful due to minor soft tissue trauma. However, in more severe cases, the tooth can break or become cracked, leading to a tooth infection.
Bruxism (teeth grinding) – Teeth grinding is common both in children and adults. Grinding can put excessive stress and strain on the ligaments that support the teeth, causing aches and pains. In severe cases, teeth grinding could also wear away the enamel of the tooth.
Gum disease – Gum disease, also called gingivitis or periodontitis, is caused by improper oral hygiene, and can lead to painful infection of the gums, which could damage the root and structure of one or more of your child’s teeth.
Treatment Options For Toothaches
The best treatment for your child will depend on the cause of their toothache, so we recommend seeing Dr. Julie for a diagnosis as soon as you can.
For tooth abscesses or infections, a pulpotomy may be recommended to remove infected tooth pulp and restore the tooth. Oral antibiotics may also be needed to fight back against the infection if there is an abscess, or if gum disease is the cause of the toothache.
Toothaches caused by teeth grinding can often be addressed with lifestyle changes, and they may also be treated with a night guard (a plastic device that looks like a retainer and helps prevent the teeth from grinding against each other).
Come In For An Appointment Today!
A serious toothache is a dental emergency, and at Marshfield Pediatric Dentistry, we offer same-day appointments for children with experiencing severe pain. Dr. Julie is an experienced pediatric dentist, so you can trust her to quickly diagnose the cause of your child’s toothache and provide kind, gentle care. We’ll do our best to see you as soon as possible, so give us a call at (781) 205-1124, or come to our office at 3 Proprietors Drive, Marshfield, MA 02050.
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