What's Causing your Toddler's Recurring Tooth Ache?

No parent ever wants to see their child in pain. Especially when the kid cannot describe the cause of their discomfort. To avoid dental issues in toddlers, dentists recommend scheduling their appointment by their first birthday.

Waterfront Family Dentistry provides specialized pediatric dentistry services across Frisco, Little Elm, Plano, and The Colony. We understand that children are generally scared to visit the dentist. This is why we focus on friendly and positive interactions with our young patients.

Here are a few causes for your child's consistent toothache:

Gum Inflammation

Gum inflammation and tenderness usually occur when a toddler is teething. Teething is a natural process where babies grow their primary teeth. When teeth are coming out of the gum line, it is important to take special care to prevent infection.

Generally, food can get stuck in the gums and cause pain and bleeding because of open gum pockets. This condition is called gingivitis. This is why dentists advise regular brushing when babies are teething.

Gum inflammation can also occur at a later age due to poor oral hygiene. Proper brushing and flossing under parental supervision and yearly dental cleanings should be ensured.

Grinding teeth 

If your toddler's jaw is hurting, chances are that they have a habit of grinding teeth while sleeping. The teeth grinding habit is called Bruxism and can damage tooth enamel, result in crowding, and put the kid's teeth at increased risk of cavities.

A local dentist may identify the problem of teeth grinding during regular visits. Upon inspection, they may recommend a night mouth guard to prevent unconscious teeth grinding. They may also guide you on habits your kid can adopt to control Bruxism and protect their permanent teeth. Teeth grinding can also indicate other sleep-related medical issues and should be checked by a professional doctor.

Tooth Infection or Injury

Baby teeth are more prone to infection and cracks. This is because kids at a young age are actively engaged in physical activities that may result in accidents. If your kid complains of dental pain, check if there is a visible crack on their teeth. When a child bites on the crackled tooth, it causes the crack to open. When the bite is released, the crack shrinks quickly, resulting in sharp pain.

Often, falls or accidents cause internal injury to the tooth's pulp. This damages the tooth's structural integrity and causes infection or pus-filled abscess. Also, improper brushing after eating candies or chocolates can result in bacterial buildup on teeth. This results and plaque buildup and cavities. Treatment of surface cavities is important to prevent them from worsening and for curing toothache.

Identifying the cause of tooth pain in children is difficult, as they are often unable to tell which tooth is hurting. Treatment plans also vary on the type, location, and severity of the issue. If you think your toddler may be suffering from a dental emergency, visit our dental services clinic in Frisco, TX. Dr. Lavanya Rudrapatna at Waterfront Family Dentistry has over 13 years of pediatric dentistry and laser dentistry experience. Our dental technology is modern, and we also have a loyalty program for uninsured patients.

Schedule an appointment or learn more about our services.