Other Common Causes: food wedged between the teeth or injured tooth.
See More Appropriate Topic (instead of this one) If
If follows a tooth injury, see TOOTH INJURY.
(To go directly to this topic, click on the link following this document.)
WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR FOR TOOTHACHE
Call Your Dentist or Doctor Now (night or day) If
Your child looks or acts very sick.
Fever is present.
Face is swollen.
Severe pain.
Call Your Dentist Within 24 Hours (between 9am and 4pm) If
You think your child needs to be seen.
Toothache present for more than 24 hours.
Brown cavity visible in the painful tooth.
Red or yellow lump present at the gumline of the painful tooth.
Call Your Dentist During Weekday Office Hours If
You have other questions or concerns.
Parent Care at Home If
Mild toothache present less than 24 hours and you don't think your child needs to be seen.
HOME CARE ADVICE FOR MILD TOOTHACHE
1. Reassurance: Most toothaches are temporary and due to a sensitive tooth. If the pain becomes worse or doesn't resolve in 24 hours, it could be due to a small cavity.
2. Floss: Floss on either side of the painful tooth to remove any wedged food.
3. Pain Medicine: Give acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) or ibuprofen for pain relief.
4. Local Cold: Apply an ice pack to the painful jaw for 20 minutes
5. Expected Course: Most minor causes of toothache resolve in less than a day.
6. Call Your Dentist If:
Toothache persists for more than 24 hours.
The toothache becomes worse or develops any of the "Call Your Dentist" symptoms.
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital is located in Palo Alto, adjacent to Stanford University Hospital, approximately 20 miles north of San Jose, CA and 40 miles south of San Francisco.
