Tootache in children

It is very important that both parents and children are informed about the causes of toothache. There are very frequent cases when parents come with their children for the first time to a dentist's office with an emergency, after a sleepless night, not eating, very agitated and upset, which is difficult for them, for the parents, but also for the dentists who are going to treat them.

 

Causes of toothache in children

 

Tooth decay

First of all, toothache can be caused by tooth decay. It occurs when tooth decay has advanced so far that it has reached the nerve. Unfortunately, decay on temporary teeth progresses faster than on permanent teeth, because temporary teeth have less resistance. Cavities are often complicated by dental abscesses that are painful to the touch.

 

A dental abscess is a purulent collection that causes:

• Pain
• Unpleasant mouth odor
• Fever
• Face swelling
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Pain when chewing

 

What is very important is that this infection, which is now localized, can easily migrate to the ear, brain and can be life-threatening.

 

Due to the important lack of dental tissue (a "hole" is formed in the tooth), gingival pain during chewing also occurs, as a result of the pressing of the gums by food and the impossibility of removing food debris from the cavity, which will also lead to the progression of tooth decay. Therefore, it is very important to go to the dentist as soon as we detect tooth decay, to be treated as quickly as possible, especially as we now have as a method of dental laser treatmentwhich is minimally invasive and painless. It will become your child's new best friend.

 

Gum problems

The second reason for toothache is gum problems. Children don't brush their teeth very well and some don't even accept being brushed by their parents. In this situation, gum problems occur. Gingivitis can also occur in young and middle-aged children. Colonization with the bacteria responsible for periodontal diseases and tooth decay occurs as a result of using the same cutlery at the table without washing it, kissing children on the mouth or even hands (which they put non-stop in their mouth), chewing food by an adult and then served to the child, etc.

 

Tooth eruptions

During the period with tooth eruptions, children experience quite a lot of gingival pain. During tooth eruptions, children can become grumpy, lose their appetite, drool excessively. Special baby gels can be used to help babies through this period.

 

Dental trauma

The fourth reason for toothache is dental trauma, with or without tooth avulsion. Dental trauma happens in a split second. The child has fallen down, the crown of the tooth has broken or even worse, the tooth has come out of the bone with the root. Also during accidents, the child may hit the gum or lip. 

In the best case, the tooth fracture has only affected the crown and then we have two treatment possibilities:

• If the tooth fragment is found, it can be reattached by bonding.
• If the fragment is no longer found, the missing part is replaced with dental composite.

There are cases in which the fracture causes damage to the pulp and then root canal treatment or other interventions to protect the vitality of the tooth. Or cases in which tooth avulsion, i.e. accidental extraction of the tooth, occurs. As in the case of a tooth fragment, it is very important to find the tooth and store it properly: in saline, saliva or milk, but NOT IN WATER!

 

It's very important to see a dentist within 60 minutes to do the replanting so that we have a good chance of healing. If we suspect pulp necrosis then root canal treatment will be done.

 

Whatever the cause of your child's toothache, it is extremely important that you and your child go to the dentist urgently. It should preferably not be the first time, the child should be familiar with the environment in the dentist's office, and the dentist should be a child's friend in whom he or she can trust.

Also, if we have the possibility to do a dental X-rays before the appointment, to get a better picture of the situation. I assure you, the amount of radiation is very small and an X-ray, together with the clinical examination, helps to make a correct diagnosis and leads to a correct treatment!