What To Do When Your Child Has A Toothache

A toothache can be incredibly painful. It most likely indicates that the tooth is infected or that the nerves are exposed due to a deep cavity or cracked tooth. 

If your child has a severe toothache, it needs immediate treatment. Learn what to do in case of a dental emergency. 

What To Do During Regular Office Hours 

In case of a toothache or other dental emergency that occurs when our office is open, give us a call immediately. We will do our best to get you in for an appointment as soon as possible. We understand that a toothache is extremely uncomfortable, especially for a child. Prompt treatment can relieve your child’s pain and increase the chances of saving the tooth. 

What To Do After Hours 

If your child has a toothache and our office is closed, start by assessing their level of pain. In the case of extreme discomfort that doesn’t improve with over the counter pain medication, give us a call and follow our after hours voicemail instructions. Someone will contact you shortly to provide further instruction. 

What Causes a Toothache? 

A toothache may be caused by any of the following: 

• Infected tooth. A tooth can develop an infection of the dental pulp, the soft tissue at the center of each tooth. If bacteria makes its way in through a crack or a cavity, it can lead to a painful infection. 
• Cracked tooth. A crack in a tooth can cause a toothache that lingers or that comes and goes. The nerves inside the tooth can be exposed through the crack, which means that the tooth may hurt when you chew or drink something cold or hot. 
• Deep cavity. A cavity that is deep enough that it reaches the dentin, the soft layer under the enamel, can cause tooth pain. The dentin is porous and the nerves may be exposed to cold or heat. 

How is a Toothache Treated? 

A toothache in a permanent tooth will most likely need root canal therapy. The procedure for treating an infected tooth is to remove the dental pulp, which includes the nerves. The nerves will already be numb from local anesthesia, and after it wears off they will be gone, so the toothache is eliminated. After the dental pulp is removed, the tooth will be cleaned out and disinfected. Then it is filled with composite material.

A toothache in a baby tooth may need a pulpotomy. This procedure is similar to a root canal, but all of the pulp is not removed, just the portion contained in the crown of the tooth. Then medication is placed in the tooth to treat and prevent infection until the tooth is naturally shed. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Emergency Treatment 

How do I know if a toothache is an emergency? 

A toothache should be treated as soon as possible in most cases. If you or your child are uncomfortable enough that it can’t wait until the next day, please give us a call. Prompt treatment not only provides pain relief, it also increases the chances that the tooth can be saved. 

Is root canal therapy painful? 

We use local anesthesia for root canal therapy so that the nerves are completely numb. You won’t feel any discomfort during the procedure, and after the procedure the nerves from that tooth will be gone entirely, so there will be no residual pain. Root canal therapy does not cause pain, it relieves pain. 

Why Call Elite Endodontics of NH for a Dental Emergency? 

An endodontist is uniquely qualified to handle toothaches as well as many other types of dental emergencies. Elite Endodontics of NH has the expertise and advanced technology that offers the best chance of saving an infected or at-risk tooth. 

In case of a toothache or other dental emergency, contact us at our office location that is most convenient to you.