Does your child tell ever tell you that the inside of their mouth hurts? If so, their mouth might not actually hurt, but their teeth. In some cases, they might have bitten down on something too hard, or they have something stuck between their teeth. Tooth pain in these instances is usually only temporary.
In other situations, pain in the mouth or teeth might last longer or be more serious. If your child is complaining of tooth pain, discover three things that might be the cause.
1. Your Child's Teeth Are Coming In
By the time your child is three years old, they should have all 20 of their primary teeth. These teeth are also called baby teeth. Children between the ages of six and seven will start to have their permanent teeth come in.
By the time your child is 21 years old, they will have anywhere from 28 to 32 permanent teeth. This depends on how many of their third molars, or wisdom teeth, come in.
Whether your child is getting their primary teeth or their permanent teeth, they might experience some discomfort in the mouth. For children getting their primary teeth, you can relieve pain with a chilled teething ring or by gently massaging the gums.
Molars usually cause the most discomfort when children get their permanent teeth. Taking pain relievers, drinking ice water, and eating soft foods will help ease this discomfort. If your child has a lot of pain with their primary or permanent teeth, contact a pediatric dentist.
2. Your Child Grinds Their Teeth
If your child complains of tooth or jaw pain, or they say their ears hurt, this might be due to grinding their teeth. Teeth grinding might also cause your child to wake up with a headache.
When children grind their teeth, it puts added stress on the teeth and the jaw, which is why it causes pain. In severe cases of teeth grinding, the child can wear down the enamel on their teeth. Tooth sensitivity is the most common type of pain associated with worn-down enamel. One way to know whether your child grinds their teeth is to take a close listen as they sleep.
You will probably be able to hear what sounds like chewing on rocks. Most children who grind their teeth don't even know they do it. Some of the main causes of teeth grinding include stress, issues with TMJ, or misaligned teeth. The good news is, treatment options are available to help your child stop grinding their teeth, thus alleviating pain.
3. Your Child Has Something Wrong With Their Tooth
In some cases, tooth pain means something is wrong with your child's tooth. A child might fall or get hit in the mouth. When this occurs, their tooth might have become loose, chipped, or cracked. Some tooth injuries are so small they are hard to see, but they still cause pain nonetheless.
Tooth decay is another cause of pain. If your child complains of tooth pain when eating sugary foods, this could be a sign of a cavity. If your child has just had a procedure on their tooth, such as a filling, they might experience pain afterward. Contact a pediatric dentist if this pain persists or you notice any type of damage to your child's teeth.
If you are concerned about your child's tooth pain, contact Treasured Smiles Pediatric Dentistry. One of our board-certified pediatric dentists will examine your child's teeth and determine the cause of their pain. If they have a problem with their tooth, we offer a variety of effective pediatric dental treatments in a child-friendly and fun environment.