Definition

• Pain or discomfort in a tooth

Health Information

Causes

• Main cause: tooth decay
• Food wedged between the teeth
• Injured tooth

Tooth Abscess and Severe Pain

• A tooth abscess is an infection within and around the tooth. It can cause severe pain not helped by normal pain medicines.
• Root canal therapy is needed to cure this problem. Root canals are done by a special dentist called an endodontist. Your child’s regular dentist can refer you to one.
• In the meantime, call your dentist’s office. The pain can usually be brought under control with an antibiotic drug by mouth. Most often, this is penicillin.

Care Advice

1. Overview:
   • Most toothaches don’t last too long. They are due to a sensitive tooth.
   • If the pain becomes worse or doesn’t go away, call your dentist. The pain could be due to a small cavity.
   • Here is some care advice that should help.
2. Floss:
   • Floss on either side of the painful tooth to remove any wedged food.
3. Pain Medicine:
   • To help with the pain, give acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen. Use as needed.
4. Cold Pack:
   • Put a cold pack or ice in a wet washcloth on the painful jaw. Do this for 20 minutes.
5. Antibiotic by Mouth:
   • An antibiotic may be prescribed if a tooth abscess is suspected.
   • This medicine will kill the bacteria deep in the tooth.
   • Give the antibiotic as directed.
   • Try not to forget any of the doses.
6. What to Expect:
   • Most minor causes of toothache go away in less than a day.

Call Your Doctor If

• Toothache lasts more than 24 hours
• The toothache gets worse
• You think your child needs to be seen
• Note: If your child has a dentist, call them instead of your doctor

Author: Barton Schmitt MD, FAAP

Copyright 2000-2020 Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines LLC

Disclaimer: This health information is for educational purposes only. You the reader assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it. The information contained in this handout should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. Listing of any resources does not imply an endorsement.

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