A toothache rarely shows up at a convenient time, especially when it's your child who's hurting. Maybe it starts at bedtime, during school, or at dinner when a cold bite suddenly makes them stop eating. Younger children may not be able to tell you exactly where it hurts, either. They may simply say, "My mouth hurts," or become unusually quiet or fussy.
At Hines Little Smiles, Dr. Hines and our team hear these concerns from Columbus families all the time. The good news is that there are a few simple things you can do to make your child more comfortable while you figure out what's going on. Here's where to start, what may be causing the pain, and when it's time to call the dentist.
If your child is hurting right now, you can reach our team at (614) 475-5439.
When your child says their tooth hurts, a few simple steps can help you figure out what may be causing the discomfort and keep them comfortable while you decide what to do next.
1. Rinse and look
Have your child gently rinse with warm water. If they're too young to rinse safely, wipe the area with a clean, damp cloth. In good lighting, look at the sore tooth and the teeth around it for a dark spot, visible hole, chipped edge, trapped food, or red or swollen gums.
2. Gently floss around the tooth
Food can sometimes become wedged between children's teeth and create surprising pressure. Try one gentle pass with floss around the sore tooth. If something comes out and the discomfort quickly improves, keep an eye on the area. If the pain continues or returns, have the tooth checked.
3. Use a cool compress
If your child's cheek is tender or slightly swollen, hold a cold pack wrapped in a soft towel against the outside of the cheek for 10 to 15 minutes. Don't place ice directly on the tooth or gums, and avoid heat if there's swelling.
4. Help with pain and eating
Children's acetaminophen or ibuprofen may help when given according to the package directions, your child's age and weight, or your pediatrician's guidance. Soft foods such as yogurt, oatmeal, scrambled eggs, or applesauce can also make eating more comfortable.
5. Skip the home remedies
Avoid putting aspirin or concentrated clove oil on the tooth or gums, and check with a healthcare professional before using numbing products. Most importantly, don't assume the problem is gone just because the pain improves temporarily. Dental pain can come and go even when something still needs attention.
Once your child is comfortable, call Hines Little Smiles at (614) 475-5439. Our Columbus pediatric dental team can help determine what's causing the discomfort and what to do next.
Tooth pain in children can have several causes. Sometimes the source is easy to spot, while other problems require an exam or X-ray to identify.
Cavities are one of the most common causes of tooth pain. As decay moves deeper into the tooth, children may become sensitive to sweets, cold, pressure, or chewing. Because baby teeth have thinner enamel, decay can progress more quickly than parents expect.
An infection can develop when bacteria reach the inner part of a tooth. Look for a pimple-like bump on the gum, swelling, tenderness, a bad taste, or pain when biting. Even if the pain suddenly improves, an infection may still be present and should be evaluated.
A chipped or cracked tooth can expose sensitive areas and cause discomfort with cold drinks, air, or chewing. After an injury, pain may not always appear right away, so it's worth having a significantly damaged tooth checked even if your child seems comfortable.
Sore or swollen gums can sometimes be the source of the discomfort rather than the tooth itself. Plaque buildup or brushing too aggressively can irritate the gum tissue. If your child's gums remain sore or bleed during brushing, we can help identify what's causing it.
Babies and toddlers may have sore, swollen gums while teething, and older children can experience tenderness as their permanent molars come in. Teething shouldn't cause significant facial swelling or a high fever, though, and ongoing pain in a fully erupted tooth deserves a closer look.
Congestion from a cold or allergies can sometimes feel like a toothache, particularly around the upper back teeth. Sinus-related discomfort usually affects several teeth rather than just one and may improve as the congestion clears.
Not every toothache requires an emergency room visit, but some situations do need prompt attention. If you're unsure, it's always okay to call our Columbus office and let us help you decide what to do next.
Contact Hines Little Smiles if your child has:
Seek emergency care if your child has swelling that is spreading toward the eye or into the neck, trouble breathing or swallowing, or a significant jaw injury or bleeding that you can't control.
These symptoms can indicate a more serious problem that needs immediate medical attention.
Some mild symptoms can be monitored, particularly when they resolve quickly. For example, your child may have brief sensitivity that disappears after you floss out a piece of food, mild gum tenderness that improves within a day or two, or occasional cold sensitivity without swelling or lingering pain.
Even then, mention recurring symptoms at your child's next dental visit. A pattern of "it hurt for a minute last week" can sometimes be an early sign of a cavity or another issue that is easier to address when it's caught early.
If your child needs to come in because of tooth pain, we'll start by asking what you've noticed and when the discomfort began. We'll examine the area carefully and may take an X-ray to look for problems that aren't visible from the outside.
We'll explain what we find and talk through your options before treatment begins. Depending on what's causing the pain, treatment could involve a filling, a crown to protect a badly damaged tooth, treatment inside the tooth when the nerve is involved, or removal of a baby tooth that cannot be saved.
We also understand that a child who is already hurting may feel nervous about coming to the dentist. That's one of the reasons pediatric dentistry is different. Our team knows how to slow things down, explain treatment in ways children can understand, and help them feel comfortable throughout their visit. When appropriate, we also offer options such as nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, and IV sedation.
We'll make sure you understand what we're recommending, why it's needed, and what to expect before we move forward.
Many childhood toothaches can be prevented with a few consistent habits.
If you have questions about your child's oral health or brushing routine, Hines Little Smiles is here to help. Call us at (614) 475-5439 or explore our helpful articles for more guidance.
Yes, especially if it's happened more than once. A lot of decay hides between teeth or under the biting surface where it's invisible from the outside. An X-ray settles it quickly, and our Columbus office can usually get you in fast.
Not necessarily. Pain that stops can mean the irritation resolved, or it can mean the nerve inside the tooth has died, which usually leads to infection later. If your child had real pain, have the tooth checked even if they feel fine now.
It does. An infected baby tooth hurts, can damage the permanent tooth developing underneath it, and can affect eating, sleeping, and speech. Baby teeth also hold space for the adult teeth coming in behind them.
Weight-appropriate children's acetaminophen or ibuprofen is fine, and a cold pack on the cheek helps. Tell us what you gave and when so we can factor it in.
When your child has a toothache, it's completely okay to call even if you're not sure how serious the problem is. We'd much rather take a look, answer your questions, and reassure you that everything is okay than have your child stay uncomfortable longer than necessary.
Dr. Hines, Dr. Richa, Dr. Hawk, and Dr. Leukart care for children throughout Columbus and the surrounding communities. Our office is open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If your child's tooth starts hurting at night or over the weekend, you can leave us a voicemail at (614) 475-5439, and we'll get back to you when our office reopens.
If your child develops significant facial swelling or has trouble breathing or swallowing, seek emergency medical care right away. You can contact our office afterward so we can help with the dental care that follows.
Whatever is causing your child's discomfort, you don't have to figure it out on your own. We're here to help you understand what's happening and get your child feeling comfortable again.
Call 614-475-5439 or request an appointment online to set up your first visit. We’ll be in touch soon.
