My Child Says Their Tooth Hurts — When Should I Call the Dentist?

When your child says a tooth hurts, it can be difficult to know whether to watch it for a while or call the dentist.

If your child’s tooth pain is significant, keeps coming back, lasts rather than quickly resolving, or you notice swelling or another concerning symptom, call the dentist. A dental examination can help determine what is causing the pain and whether treatment is needed.

Children may not always be able to describe exactly where something hurts or what the pain feels like, so changes in eating, sleeping or behavior can also be important clues.

Why Would a Child’s Tooth Hurt?

There are many possible reasons for dental pain in children. Some are relatively minor, while others need prompt dental attention.

Possible causes include:

Because several different problems can feel similar to a child, the cause cannot always be determined just by looking at the tooth at home.

When Should I Call the Dentist?

You should contact the dentist if your child’s tooth pain is persistent, worsening, repeatedly returns or interferes with normal activities such as eating or sleeping.

Call sooner if you notice:

You do not need to determine the diagnosis before calling. Tell the dental office what your child is experiencing, when it started and whether there is swelling, fever or a recent injury.

When Is Tooth Pain a Medical Emergency?

Most toothaches are evaluated by a dentist, but certain symptoms can require emergency medical attention.

Seek urgent medical care if facial or mouth swelling is affecting your child’s breathing or swallowing, or if your child appears seriously ill.

Severe facial trauma, uncontrolled bleeding or other significant injuries may also require emergency medical evaluation.

If you are unsure whether your child’s situation is a dental or medical emergency, do not delay getting appropriate professional help.

Could the Toothache Be a Cavity?

Yes. Tooth decay is one possible cause of tooth pain, although not every cavity hurts.

As decay progresses deeper into a tooth, a child may develop sensitivity or pain. This is one reason waiting for a tooth to hurt is not a reliable way to determine whether a child has a cavity.

Read
Does My Child Have a Cavity? Signs Parents Should Watch For

What If the Pain Is in a Baby Tooth?

Do not dismiss tooth pain simply because the tooth will eventually fall out.

Baby teeth are still living teeth and can develop decay, inflammation and infection. They also play important roles in chewing, speech and maintaining space while permanent teeth develop.

If decay is causing the problem, the appropriate treatment depends on the tooth, the extent of the decay, your child’s symptoms and other clinical factors.

Read
Does My Child Really Need a Filling in a Baby Tooth?

What If My Child Hurt the Tooth?

If the pain started after a fall, collision or other injury, tell the dentist exactly what happened.

Even when a tooth does not look badly damaged, an injury can affect the tooth or surrounding tissues. The urgency depends on what happened and the type of injury.

For a chipped, broken or knocked-out tooth, read
Child Chipped or Knocked Out a Tooth? What Parents Should Do

What Can I Do Until My Child Sees the Dentist?

Keep the area as clean as possible and have your child gently rinse with water if they are old enough to rinse and spit safely. If food appears to be trapped between teeth, gentle flossing may help remove it.

For pain relief, ask your child’s healthcare professional or pharmacist about an age- and weight-appropriate over-the-counter pain medicine if you are uncertain what your child can safely take. Follow the product directions and your child’s healthcare guidance.

Do not place aspirin or another pain medicine directly against the tooth or gums.

These steps may help your child temporarily, but they do not treat the underlying cause of persistent dental pain.

Dental Care for Children Near Beaverton

Cedar Hills Dental Care provides family dentistry for children and adults near Beaverton. Our practice has served the community since 1986 and has cared for more than 10,000 smiles.

Christine Chin, DMD brings more than 35 years of dental experience and is an Oregon Health & Science University-educated dentist. Our approach emphasizes comfortable, compassionate and non-judgmental dental care.

If your child has a toothache, you do not need to know what is causing it before calling. Tell us what is happening, and we can help determine the appropriate next step.

Learn more about our
Dental Care for Children.

Further Reading for Parents

If your child has tooth pain or you are concerned about a possible dental problem, these Cedar Hills Dental Care articles may also help:

• Does My Child Have a Cavity? Signs Parents Should Watch For
• Does My Child Really Need a Filling in a Baby Tooth?
• Child Chipped or Knocked Out a Tooth? What Parents Should Do
• Why Does My Child Keep Getting Cavities?
• Dental Care for Children: Prevention, Development & Lifelong Oral Health