What should I do if my child has a toothache due to cavities?

Sep 13, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Liu Chao

Introduction

Toothache caused by dental caries in children may result from factors such as dietary habits, changes in the oral environment, crowded teeth, pulpitis, or periapical periodontitis. To prevent toothache due to dental caries in children, it is important to maintain a balanced diet, avoid excessive consumption of high-sugar and high-acid foods, practice good oral hygiene, clean teeth regularly, and monitor tooth alignment to promptly identify and correct any issues.

Generally, tooth decay refers to dental caries. Toothache caused by cavities in children may result from dietary habits, changes in oral environment, crowded teeth, pulpitis, or apical periodontitis. When the above conditions occur, it is recommended to seek timely medical treatment. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Dietary Habits

Foods and beverages that are high in sugar, high in acidity, or sticky tend to remain in the mouth, providing nutrients for bacteria, which produce acidic substances that erode teeth, thus causing toothache due to cavities in children. It is important to improve eating habits and reduce the intake of sugary and acidic foods.

2. Changes in Oral Environment

Reduced saliva secretion or imbalances in oral pH can promote bacterial growth, leading to acid production that damages teeth and causes cavities and pain. Children should drink plenty of water daily to maintain a moist oral environment.

3. Crowded Teeth

Tooth crowding results from insufficient jaw space. Overlapping teeth create areas that are difficult to clean, accelerating bacterial growth and increasing the risk of cavities in children. This condition may be accompanied by misaligned teeth or malocclusion. Patients should follow medical advice to use medications such as metronidazole buccal patches, ibuprofen sustained-release capsules, and compound chlorhexidine mouthwash.

4. Pulpitis

Pulpitis usually develops when dental caries are left untreated. Bacteria invade the dental pulp in children, releasing toxins and increasing internal pressure, which stimulates nerve endings and leads to cavity-related pain. Symptoms may include swollen gums or facial swelling. Treatment under medical guidance may involve cefaclor granules, amoxicillin granules, or acetaminophen granules.

5. Apical Periodontitis

Apical periodontitis is an advanced stage of pulpitis. It may cause congestion and edema in the periapical tissues of children’s teeth, forming abscesses that press on the bone membrane and nerve endings, resulting in tooth pain. Symptoms may also include swollen lymph nodes and fever. Under a doctor's supervision, medications such as liyan jiedu granules, roxithromycin granules, or ampicillin granules may be used for treatment.

To prevent toothaches from cavities in children, it is important to maintain a balanced diet, avoid excessive consumption of sugary and acidic foods, practice good oral hygiene, regularly clean teeth, and monitor tooth alignment to detect and correct problems early.

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