Toothaches can arise for a number of different reasons, and although they can sometimes be prevented, it's not always possible to do so. The important thing is to not ignore them, even if they appear to be simple growing pains, depending on circumstances, this may not be the case. You can help manage your child's pain but the best approach is to reach out to your Escondido, CA, family dentist so they might diagnose and treat the root of the problem. Learn more by getting in contact with Dr. Michael Carlson of Carlson Dental.
Common Causes
The first thing to do is to try to determine the source of the pain, you are not trying to diagnose the problem yourself, simply gathering facts so your dentist can better help you and your child. If the pain began just after an injury, examine your child's mouth for signs of trouble, teeth can become chipped or discolored upon encountering trauma. Chipped teeth should be specially monitored as they can damage soft tissue in the cheeks.
Decay can sometimes be visible as small dark spots on your child's teeth, but it's sometimes not so easy to spot. Sensitivity and pain are good enough symptoms to have their teeth seen by their dentist at the next available visit. Consider the severity of the pain when speaking with your doctor over the phone.
Decay can be treated with dental fillings, and damaged teeth can often be repaired with dental bonding, or even a crown if there is enough structure damage.
Erupting teeth can also be painful, but they should still not be dismissed. Regular visits allow for your dentist to keep track of incoming teeth so they can better prepare for possible complications in time, such as when a tooth falls out too early.
Family Dentistry in Escondido, CA
If the toothache is severe, medication may be necessary for the time before the visit, but contacting your family dentist beforehand is a good idea. There are occasions when the pain is simply due to food that has become stuck in between teeth, so helping them to gently floss can often be enough to treat it.
Good dental hygiene habits can prevent decay, and a mouthguard while practicing sports can be of further help in preventing injuries. But for both prevention and care, you can always depend on Dr. Carlson of Carlson Dental in Escondido, CA. Dial 760-747-2616 to schedule an appointment.
