As a parent, you know your toddler or young child well.
You know when they are hungry, when they are tired, and, of course, when they want to go home!
However, when your child is in discomfort, and you can’t seem to find an obvious cause, it may be time to start thinking about their teeth. Even if they have been through teething, young children are not immune to toothache or dental decay, and may be unable to vocalize exactly what they are feeling. After all, dental discomfort is unique!
So, here are some signs to look for that may point to your child having a toothache.
Irritability
As in the intro, you know your child best, and, as such, you know when they are irritable. You were there when they were teething, too, which is a distressing time for most children. If your child is unusually irritated, crying, or is fussy with no obvious reason that you can see, this can be a sign that they are experiencing dental discomfort. Dental pain can come in waves or may be a dull ache, which can lead to your child being restless and upset. The best option is to visit a reputable dental website, such as directdental.co.uk, to see what they recommend in the interim and to book an appointment with a dental team.
Difficulty Eating and Chewing
Having dental pain can make it feel impossible to bite into and to chew food. Alongside your child being irritable, keep an eye open for signs that they are having issues eating. This may look like them preferring to bite into and chew with one side of their mouth, or breaking their food up into smaller pieces by hand, so they don’t have to use their teeth. They may also refuse to eat food altogether if the discomfort is severe.
Swelling
OK, so there may be some visual signs to keep an eye out for that your child is experiencing dental pain. Their face may be suddenly asymmetrical or swollen on one side. This points to inflammation and usually indicates a dental abscess, which will need to be checked out by an emergency dental team. Your child may also be rubbing that side of their face, or holding it as a way of indicating that it hurts. They may also not want you to look in their mouth.
Bleeding When They Brush
This is a particularly distressing symptom, but, if you brush your child’s teeth, or assist them in the process, when there is dental discomfort, you may notice that there is blood when they spit out the toothpaste. This can point to an infection, decay, or even gum disease, all of which can be easily diagnosed and treated by a dentist.
Changes in Sleeping Patterns
Anyone who has had a toothache will tell you that it gets worse at night! This is due to 2 factors- lack of distractions and the change in blood flow when you lie down. The result is your child finding it hard to sleep, and having frequent waking. If you notice that your toddle or young child is waking frequently without an obvious cause, it may be time to get them to the dentist for a check-up as soon as possible!
