Help: My child has an abscessed tooth!
An abscessed tooth can cause extreme pain and discomfort. If you think your child has an abscess, take them to a dentist right away.
Is your child complaining of a sore tooth? Do they have redness and swelling along the tooth’s gumline? They could have an abscessed tooth that requires immediate attention from a dentist.
An abscessed tooth is one with a pocket of pus in the tissues surrounding it. Pus occurs as the body attempts to fight a bacterial infection. If the pus does not drain properly, it creates an abscess. An abscessed tooth can cause red, puffy gums and throbbing discomfort when your child bites down. Your child may have a terrible taste in their mouth and a fever, and their jaw may appear swollen.
Book a dental appointment ASAP
A dental practitioner should treat an abscessed tooth right away. If left untreated, the illness can spread to other parts of your child’s body. Antibiotics will be administered to your child by a dentist to treat the infection. They may drill a hole in your child’s tooth or cut open (lance) the abscess within their mouth to allow the infection to drain, which should reduce your child’s pain.
Your child may require a root canal treatment, which attempts to save the tooth by removing the infected pulp and replacing it with healing medicine and a filling. If these treatments fail, the dentist may have to extract the tooth.
Follow-up care is an essential component of your child’s treatment and safety. Ensure you follow your child’s dentist’s aftercare instructions and keep all dental appointments. If your child is experiencing pain, call your dentist right away.
How to look after your child at home
- Put ice or a cold pack on the outside of your child’s cheek for 10 to 20 minutes at a time to relieve discomfort and swelling in the face and jaw (place a facecloth between the ice and your child’s skin).
- Give your child pain relievers exactly as advised.
- If your child isn’t taking a prescription pain reliever, ask your dentist if your child can take an over-the-counter pain reliever.
- Antibiotics should be administered to your child as indicated. Do not discontinue their use simply because your child is feeling better. Your child must complete the entire course of antibiotics.
- Make sure your child brushes and flosses every day and has regular dental checks.
