Tips for Avoiding Toothaches: National Toothache Day

Happy National Toothache Day! Wait, we’re supposed to celebrate a toothache? Au contraire – what we’re actually doing is celebrating good oral hygiene in order to prevent mouth woes! 

Here’s how you and your children can care for your teeth, and hopefully keep toothaches to a minimum:

Be sure to brush for two minutes, twice daily. Tooth decay is the most common cause of a toothache! Work to prevent this by brushing for the proper length of time twice a day. Bonus for using fluoride toothpaste to help strengthen tooth enamel! Check out our fluoride FAQs blog for more information!

Floss between teeth regularly. Did you know that sometimes, toothaches are simply cause from having food caught between teeth! Ouch!

Always wear a mouth guard during sports. Chipped, cracked, or broken teeth may be another reason you suffer from a toothache. Mouth guards are key for keeping smiles intact as well as preventing more serious facial injuries and concussions during sports. If you're in need of a mouth guard for your athlete, stop by our mouth guard center! 

Limit the consumption of sugar. Cavities are one of the biggest toothache culprits. By cutting down on sugar, you’ll be cutting down on the mouth monsters’ chances of harming the teeth.

Visit us! Regular dental visits help us catch problems early, when they’re more treatable. We can also spot things ahead of time and give you a warning – for example, looks like there is a tooth poking through – as a heads up, your child may feel uncomfortable during this transition.

Even if you follow the above tips, toothaches may still occur. If you or your child experiences mouth pain, try inspecting the area to see if there are any visible cues. Ibuprofen may be an immediate help as would a cold compress, however if you or your child experiences serious pain (fever or fatigue) please contact your physician immediately. 

If your child is experiencing a toothache or has any other oral pain or discomfort, contact the professionals Adelberg Montalvan. We specialize in caring for children’s teeth in a comfortable and welcoming environment. Give us a call or visit our website to schedule an appointment at any of our three locations.

Does Your Child Have A Toothache?

 

Cuts and scrapes, nothing a little TLC and bandage can't fix! But what happens when your child experiences pain that you can't quite see? When it comes to toothaches, home remedies can help the pain go away, but you may need to seek professional help if you notice persistent aching - hey, even superheros have sidekicks!

What is a toothache?
A toothache occurs when there is pain caused to the nerves inside a tooth’s delicate pulp. Some minor toothaches may fade with time, but more frequently than not, toothaches present some kind of dental problem that requires a visit to our office.

What are the common causes of toothaches?
There are many reasons why your child may be experiencing a toothache:

• Tooth decay - the most common cause!
• Incoming teeth
• Cavities
• Chipped, cracked, or broken teeth
• Sinus infection
• Trapped food that causes teeth to shift

How can you treat toothaches?
1. If nothing looks wrong, try gently flossing both sides of the tooth. This could relieve any pain or soreness if there is trapped food stuck in between their teeth.
TIP: Just because there doesn’t look like there's a problem, doesn’t mean there isn’t one - nerve damage, for example, has no symptoms besides pain. 

2. Treat pain with an appropriate dosage of ibuprofen. Base the dose on your child’s age, weight, and the instructions indicated on the medication. You can also apply an ice pack to the affected area - one minute on, one minute off.
TIP: Never rub aspirin, or any painkiller, directly on your child’s gums. This will cause burns and severe discomfort. 

3. If your child is experiencing pain throughout the day and into the night, seek professional help as soon as possible. It will help put your mind and your child’s mouth at ease if you have a dental expert take care of the problem.

If your child is experiencing a toothache or has any other oral pain or discomfort, contact the professionals Adelberg Montalvan. We specialize in caring for children’s teeth in a comfortable and caring environment. Give us a call or visit our website to schedule an appointment at any of our three locations.

How to Handle a Dental Emergency

 www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

 

You may be able to rattle off your evacuation plan in case of emergency, but do you know what to do in case of a dental emergency? Accidents can happen at any time, regardless if your child plays high contact sports or not. 

Be prepared for anything! Learn more about the different emergencies you may face below:

Toothache - While a toothache may not be an emergency, it can still cause your child distress. First find the root of the toothache and look for swelling or any discolorations on the tooth. Help your child floss the area and rinse with a warm salt-water solution. If your child’s face is swollen, apply a cold compress. 

Mouth abrasion (cheek, tongue, lip) - Apply pressure to the area with a gauze to control bleeding and a cold compress if there is swelling. If the bleeding cannot be controlled, contact us or visit the emergency room.

Chipped tooth - Chipped teeth can range from minor to severe fractures. If your child fractures a tooth, have them rinse with warm water and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. Minor chips don’t always need treatment, though we may polish and smooth out the area. More severe chips can cause pain and expose nerves - contact us immediately for treatment.

Knocked out tooth - If this is a baby tooth, in most cases professional care isn’t necessary. For a permanent tooth, you’ll need to act fast. Find the tooth and hold it by the crown(top). If the tooth is not dirty or fractured, put it back in the socket and have your child bite down on gauze to hold it in place. If this proves difficult or the tooth is dirty, put it in a cup of milk and visit us immediately.

No matter what dental emergency you may experience, remember to stay calm to comfort your child. For aid with the above or general questions and concerns - we’re here to help. Please feel free to contact us at any of our 3 locations or visit us online to schedule an appointment!

Wellness Wednesday: Toothache Woes

 www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

 

 

While toothaches are common in adults and children, it doesn't make them any less of a nuisance. Kids don't understand why their teeth are causing them pain and as a parent - seeing them in distress can be frustrating. But there are ways you can help! 

First - find the root of the toothache
There are many reasons your child may experience a toothache - whether due to an incoming tooth, lost fillings, eroded enamel, or simply having food stuck between teeth. Try to source where the pain is coming from, look for swelling and redness on the gums and cheek, any discolorations on the tooth, or broken teeth.

Next - try some home remedies for treatment
If you suspect food particles are trapped between teeth, help your child floss the area causing them pain. Use a warm salt-water solution and have your child swish it around the painful area to rinse. You can also try using a cold compress to relieve any pain or swelling. If the pain is more severe, give your child the proper dosage of ibuprofen or acetaminophen (as instructed based on your child's age).

Finally - schedule an appointment with your pediatric dentist
While some toothaches are minor and can fade quickly, those that persist can be a sign of something more serious. Schedule an appointment with us to determine if the gum or tooth is damaged or if the pain simply cannot be relieved. Remember, the earlier you seek treatment, the easier it is to deal with dental concerns.

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s dental health, give any of our three locations a call. We specialize in caring for children’s teeth in a comfortable and caring environment. Call (516) 798-1111 or visit our website to schedule an appointment.

What to Do When your Child Has a Toothache

 www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

Today is National Toothache Day and while we hope your kids aren’t experiencing any tooth woes, we do want to make sure you are prepared should you find yourself in such a situation. 

Toothaches can have a variety of causes - from something as simple as having a piece of food trapped between teeth to something more severe like a cavity or a broken tooth. If your child comes to you complaining of tooth pains, we first recommend looking at the area to see if there are any food particles lodged there. If so, proceed to floss around the bothered tooth followed by a warm water rinse (or salt water combination). This can soothe the area and help dislodge any food debris that may be stuck between teeth.

Also, look for a chipped tooth or filling that may be loose or missing. Offer a cold compress to help alleviate any pain or swelling and encourage your child to keep their jaw relaxed so no pressure is placed on the sensitive tooth.

These above remedies are temporary, but will help keep the pain manageable until you are able to give us a call. We will be able to diagnose the more serious problem. If your child’s symptoms include throbbing pain, fever, or fatigue please contact your doctor as soon as possible. 

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s dental health, give any of our three locations a call. We specialize in caring for children’s teeth in a comfortable and caring environment. Call (516) 798-1111 or visit our website to schedule an appointment. Don't forget to LIKE us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter for updates and industry news.