TOOTHACHE

Main Symptoms

• Pain or discomfort in a tooth.

Causes

• Main Cause: tooth decay.
• Other Common Causes: food wedged between the teeth or injured tooth.

See More Appropriate Topic (instead of this one) If

• If follows a tooth injury, see TOOTH INJURY.

WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR FOR TOOTHACHE

Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If:

• Your child looks or acts very sick.
• Fever is present.
• Face is swollen.  
• Severe pain.

Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9am and 4pm) If

• You think your child needs to be seen.
• Toothache present for more than 24 hours.
• Brown cavity visible in the painful tooth.
• Red or yellow lump present at the gumline of the painful tooth.

Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If:

• You have other questions or concerns.

Parent Care at Home If

• Mild toothache present less than 24 hours and you don't think your child needs to be seen.

HOME CARE ADVICE FOR MILD TOOTHACHE

1. Reassurance:  Most toothaches are temporary and due to a sensitive tooth. If the pain becomes worse or doesn't resolve in 24 hours, it could be due to a small cavity.
2. Floss:  Floss on either side of the painful tooth to remove any wedged food.
3. Pain Medicine:  Give acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) or ibuprofen for pain relief.
4. Local Cold:  Apply an ice pack to the painful jaw for 20 minutes
5. Expected Course:  Most minor causes of toothache resolve in less than a day.
6. Call Your Dentist If:
   • Toothache persists for more than 24 hours.
   • The toothache becomes worse or develops any of the "Call Your Dentist" symptoms.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.

Pediatric HouseCalls Online. Copyright © 2000-2004 Barton Schmitt, M.D. FAAP

Reviewed 8/2004

Revised 7/2002

See Other Topics:

• Tooth Injury

View Anatomic Index of Topics