Toothache has different manifestations and causes. Carious destruction of enamel, trauma, damage to the mucous membrane, gum disease and even the eruption of permanent units can provoke discomfort, cause fever and general ill health. While waiting for an appointment with a doctor and an accurate diagnosis, parents should be able to conduct an independent diagnosis - calm the baby and provide first aid. To do this, it’s worth figuring out why and what to do if a child at 3-4 years old has a toothache.
Can a child’s baby teeth hurt: dental problems in children
Parents often ask: can baby teeth hurt in a 2-5 year old child? The answer from dentists in this case is always positive. Baby teeth are also susceptible to caries, just like permanent teeth. Moreover, superficial caries can quickly develop into deep caries - causing pulpitis and periodontitis.
Although caries is the main answer to the question “can baby teeth hurt in a 4-year-old child,” there are other dental diseases that provoke complaints in a child. Among them:
- enamel erosion;
- dental hypersensitivity;
- mechanical tooth trauma;
- stomatitis;
- gingivitis;
- periodontitis.
Gum diseases and mucosal ulcers are also included in this list, since a 3-5 year old child will say that his teeth hurt, and will not indicate the true problem.
To help parents: home diagnostics based on the nature of pain and indirect symptoms
Children often complain of toothache, including any discomfort in the oral cavity in this category. The task of parents is to understand what worries the child. A small cheat sheet on dental diseases will be an assistant in diagnosis:
- Caries. At the initial stage, it is noticeable in the form of white matte spots, which gradually darken to brown or black with the formation of holes. Pain manifests itself when there is pressure on a tooth, when pieces of food enter the carious cavity, or as a reaction to cold or hot.
- Pulpitis. It is not always accompanied by severe pain, although with significant nerve damage, the disease causes severe anxiety in the child. External signs are swelling of the soft tissues around the diseased unit, a change in the shade of the tooth.
- Periodontitis is the next stage of the disease with advanced pulpitis. A lump forms on the gum. The pain is sharp, especially when touching a tooth.
- A fistula is a small bubble on the gum, usually under a filled tooth. A symptom that pus has accumulated in the inflamed area and requires release. The pain is temporary and not permanent. Without treatment, there is a high probability of damage to the rudiments of the radical units, so a visit to the dentist is a necessity.
- Flux is an inflammatory process of the periosteum, accompanied by swelling on one side of the face and severe pain in the tooth. A sharp rise in temperature is possible.
- Enamel erosion is a non-carious darkening of the tooth surface that occurs as a result of poor hygiene or an unbalanced diet. Pain occurs as a response to irritating factors - hot food, cold drinks.
- Stomatitis is painful sores, white plaque or pimples in the mouth. In advanced cases, there is general malaise and fever in the child.
- Gingivitis and periodontitis are inflammation of the gums with severe swelling and redness. The pathological process is accompanied by pain and tooth mobility.
- Teething can be painful, both in very young children and in school-age children when molars appear. Signs of the eruption of baby and permanent molars are swollen gums, increased salivation, poor sleep, temperature fluctuations.
Rodikova Tatyana
Parents do not believe that teething in schoolchildren can be very painful. Especially if the first teeth grew easily and imperceptibly. I would like to note that molars can take a long time to erupt - with fever, swelling and refusal to eat. If your child experiences these symptoms, it is worth making an appointment. The doctor will accurately assess the baby’s condition and suggest how to facilitate the growth of new teeth.
The main causes of toothache in children
Of course, the main cause of pain in the primary or primary units is the presence of some kind of dental disease. The most common lesions at any age include the following pathologies: enamel erosion, various diseases of the gum tissue, for example, gingivitis or periodontitis, as well as pulpitis, periodontitis and periostitis.
Any inflammatory disease is always accompanied by severe pain, malaise and fever. With periostitis, the periosteum is affected. As a rule, this disease is a consequence of advanced caries. Frequent symptoms also include the appearance of swelling of the gums and cheeks at the site of the lesion.
One of the most dangerous diseases is damage to the pulp chamber and nerve endings. It may appear as a result of injury or a long-term inflammatory process in the oral cavity. Untreated caries can also cause pain and a reaction to cold or hot food.
Baby tooth hurts after treatment
Pain in a baby tooth after treatment is also not uncommon. And here parents should carefully monitor the baby to understand the cause of the complaints:
- Poor quality treatment. The doctor did not clean the root canals well and did not place a sealed filling. There is only one solution - make an urgent appointment with the dentist and repeat treatment with a good dentist.
- Residual discomfort. This happens when the treatment is complex and soft tissues are injured during drilling or dental procedures. Adults should think about how to relieve a child’s toothache at home - give a painkiller or rinse. If you have long-term complaints, you should make an appointment with a doctor for a consultation and re-examination.
- Allergic reaction to materials and drugs. Allergies most often manifest themselves as itching, but can also cause pain. If the cause of the reaction is an anesthetic used by dentists, it is worth giving a suitable antihistamine. In other cases, you cannot do without visiting a doctor.
Marina Dolotova
You can find cheap dental clinics in Moscow, but it is always worth assessing the health risks. Children with poorly placed fillings are increasingly being brought to Azabuka. And, what’s worse, with prolonged inflammatory processes. Kids cry and complain. I treat teeth and reassure both patients and parents. Such practices are very sad.
A child’s baby tooth hurts and is loose: treat or remove
Sometimes a child's front baby tooth hurts and becomes loose. Increased mobility can be caused by a planned change of bite or injury. A child’s front teeth hurt after an unsuccessful fall, a blow in the sports section, or minor bicycle accidents. A doctor will be able to remove the consequences of mechanical impact after an x-ray and examination of the oral cavity.
If a permanent tooth is cut under a temporary tooth, and this causes pain, the doctor, of course, will recommend removal. But this is the only option when removal is preferable. In all other cases, teeth with primary temporary occlusion should be protected - fillings should be placed, caries and pulpitis treated, and gum inflammation relieved. It is not worth getting rid of a diseased tooth in the hope of a permanent bite - with early removal, pathological changes in the primary and permanent units and serious orthodontic problems in the future are possible.
What should you not do if your child has a baby toothache?
If there is a cavity in the tooth, you should never put any medications inside, such as aspirin powder or pain-relieving drops. This can harm the child and lead to poisoning of the body. It is also forbidden to heat a sore tooth, as this can accelerate suppuration.
If the tooth stops hurting, you shouldn’t think that the problem has resolved itself. The acute process has become chronic, the destruction of tissue inside is progressing. There is an infection in the body that can lead to other pathological processes. Even with improvements, a visit to the dentist is mandatory!
A child’s baby tooth hurts: what to do at home
How to help a child with a toothache is the main question when waiting to see a dentist. There are several options:
- folk remedies;
- medication assistance;
- massage.
Traditional methods of relieving toothache
If a child’s baby tooth hurts, folk recipes will tell you how to relieve the pain. There are many of them, but you should choose only herbs and tinctures, the use of which is acceptable for the specific age of the baby. Rinsing will help cope with painful teething and relieve discomfort after filling:
- Warm decoction of sage, chamomile or lemon balm.
- Propolis tincture, slightly diluted with water.
- Oak bark brewed for rinsing.
- Soda solution.
Painkillers
When a 5-year-old child has a toothache, there are usually no questions about what to do. The first thing parents remember is medications that can alleviate the baby’s condition before seeing a doctor. The most popular means:
- gels and ointments - with a cooling, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and analgesic effect;
- syrups and tablets are medicines in which the active ingredient is paracetamol or ibuprofen.
An alternative solution would be homeopathic preparations - drops, suppositories and ointments based on plant substances.
Massage to relieve toothache in a child
What to do if a child has a toothache, and medications and homeopathy do not help. You can use the secrets of oriental medicine and try acupuncture massage:
- Fingers - you need to massage the index and middle fingers on the hand opposite to the diseased tooth. At least 7 minutes. The second option is to stroke and lightly press the area between the index and thumb on the side of the diseased tooth for about 5 minutes in a circular motion.
- Ears – you need to massage the upper part of the ear in a circular, soft motion. Within 5-7 minutes.
- Jaws - smooth circular movements with your fingers at the base of the disturbing jaw will help relieve pain.
How to relieve pain if a child has a baby toothache
Before visiting a doctor, it is important to alleviate the baby’s suffering. Painkillers, which are always present in the home medicine cabinet of families with children, are suitable for this. If a 3-year-old child has a toothache, you can give one of these medications in an age-appropriate dosage:
- ibuprofen - the effect occurs after half an hour and lasts 6-8 hours;
- nimesulide - approved from two years of age, valid for up to 12 hours, presented in Nise or Nimesil tablets, however, this remedy is best used on the recommendation of a doctor;
- dental drops – suitable for older children.
What not to do if a child’s baby tooth hurts
When the question is how to relieve toothache in a child 3 years old or older, several actions are strictly prohibited. Among them:
- warming - do not heat a sore tooth;
- cooling - cold relieves pain, but the facial nerve can get cold;
- compresses – active substances in compresses often provoke allergic reactions and chemical burns to the baby’s delicate skin;
- strong painkillers - adult medications are contraindicated for children even with the most severe toothache;
- feed the child spicy foods - as well as very cold or hot ones, since aggressive exposure increases the pain.
Causes of acute toothache in a child
Complaints about a sore tooth can be caused by many problems: from injuries to dental diseases. The most common among them:
- Various diseases of teeth and gums - caries, periodontitis, pulpitis, gumboils and fistulas, cracks in tooth enamel, etc.
In this case, the child has a severe toothache. Pain sensations can be different: sharp, pulling or aching. The pain may increase with pressure on the tooth or gum, as well as under the influence of hot or cold drinks and when sweet or sour foods come into contact with the tooth.
Additional symptoms:
- swelling and redness of the gums;
- the appearance of bleeding gums;
- enlarged lymph nodes (usually submandibular);
- swelling of the face;
- increase in body temperature.
If you suspect one of these diseases, then only a doctor can help your child with toothache. The task of parents is to reduce discomfort for a while and ensure that the baby is delivered to a medical facility as quickly as possible.
- Injuries to the face and jaw – tooth pain can be caused by a fall or a strong blow.
Quite often, severe toothache in a child may indicate an injury. If you suspect it, immediately seek help from a medical facility. A knocked out tooth may not always fall out immediately. And even a fallen one can be saved if the little patient is taken to the doctor no later than half an hour after the injury.
- The eruption of new teeth - a constant aching pain sometimes indicates that a new tooth is being cut.
In this case, special gels containing painkillers can help children with toothache.
If this is the cause of the pain, then most likely the child will be more capricious, and symptoms such as diarrhea, runny nose, and increased body temperature may appear.
