When your toddler is uncomfortable, you know it, and you want to do everything you can to make her feel better. If your child has a toothache, it doesn't always mean it's related to teething. Toddlers are susceptible to serious gum and tooth diseases that require immediate dental care. Children's Hospital Boston recommends having regular dental checkups and cleanings at 6 to 12 months of age. Also, brush your child's teeth at home with a pea-sized dab of fluoridated toothpaste. Knowing early on how to care for your toddler's dental health will help you to manage her teething pain and to prevent future dental problems.
Teething
According to the website Baby Centre, a toddler's first teeth appear between 12 and 14 months of age. The teething phase continues throughout much of the second year, as well, and your baby might be more uncomfortable during this period than when she cut her first teeth. The second molars commonly appear between 22 to 30 months. Baby Centre says these blunt teeth slowly erupt, causing pain for three to four days before the tooth actually comes through.
Teething Pain Relief
Your toddler might be tempted to suck her thumb while teething, but this will cause her more pain, as will suckling breast milk or bottle feeding. Baby Centre recommends offering her a cup of milk after feeding to ensure she gets enough to drink. Massage pain-relieving teething gel onto her gums with your finger. You might also offer her something cold to bite on such as a carrot cooled in ice water, frozen cucumber or banana slices. However, Baby Centre says to stay nearby in case your child chokes. Additionally, the site says an oral suspension will help to relieve pain and inflammation. During cold months, protect your teething toddler from winds, as they tend to irritate toothaches.
Abscess
Toddlers are susceptible to dental abscesses. Fairview Health Services says if a child develops a cavity, bacteria can enter the tooth and cause an infection at the root, otherwise known as an abscess. This often leads to fever and a continuous sharp, throbbing pain. Swollen red gums, neck and jaw are signs of an abscess tooth. An abscess can also cause bad breath, and the tooth is often sensitive to hot, cold and pressure. If you believe your child has an abscess, take her to the dentist immediately, where an antibiotic might be administered. Sometimes, a root canal or surgery might be necessary, says Fairview. In the meantime, an ice pack can be used to reduce the pain.
Periodontitis
Inflamed gums might not always indicate an abscessed tooth. The website Children's Health says periodontitis could also be the culprit. If left untreated, this disease results in gum and even alveolar bone, or jaw, decay. According to Children's Health, localized juvenile periodontitis typically attacks the molars and incisors. This condition commonly affects teething children whose first molars are pushing through the gums. Children's Health says the flap of gum located just above the emerging molar traps bacteria and food, irritating the gum. If the opposing molar bites down on this flap of gum during chewing, it can lead to infection in the irritated gum. In the worst case, the infection can spread to the neck and cheeks, Children's Health says.
