From the Guidelines
Tooth pain in a toddler is most likely caused by dental caries or infection, and immediate dental evaluation is necessary to prevent further complications. The most common causes of dental pain in toddlers include tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth trauma 1.
Possible Causes of Dental Pain
- Dental caries: Tooth decay is a common cause of dental pain in toddlers, and it can be prevented by regular brushing with fluoride toothpaste and limiting sugary foods and drinks.
- Gum disease: Gingivitis and periodontitis can cause pain and inflammation in the gums, and it can be prevented by regular dental check-ups and good oral hygiene.
- Tooth trauma: Tooth fractures, luxations, or avulsions can cause severe pain and require immediate dental attention.
Management of Dental Pain
- Pain relief: Children's acetaminophen (Tylenol) at 15 mg/kg every 6 hours or children's ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil) at 10 mg/kg every 6-8 hours can be used for pain relief.
- Dental appointment: Schedule a dental appointment immediately to evaluate and treat the underlying cause of the pain.
- Home care: While waiting for the appointment, have your child rinse with warm salt water (1/4 teaspoon salt in 8 ounces water) if they can spit reliably, and apply a cold compress to the outside of the cheek for 15 minutes if there's swelling.
It is essential to note that dental anomalies, such as tooth morphology anomalies, can also cause dental pain in toddlers, but these conditions are rare and often require specialized dental care 1. Regular dental check-ups and good oral hygiene practices can help prevent dental problems and reduce the risk of dental pain in toddlers.
From the FDA Drug Label
Temporarily relieves pain associated with the following mouth and gum irritations: toothache sore gums canker sores braces minor dental procedures The causes of dental pain in a toddler are:
- Toothache
- Sore gums
- Canker sores
- Braces
- Minor dental procedures 2
From the Research
Causes of Dental Pain in Toddlers
- Dental caries is a common cause of dental pain in children, including toddlers 3
- Toothache associated with pulp and furcation or periapical diseases can also cause dental pain in children 4
- Other factors such as tooth extractions, surgical procedures, and inadequate oral hygiene can contribute to dental pain in toddlers
Assessment of Dental Pain in Toddlers
- Accurate assessment of pain is crucial for effective management, but it can be challenging in toddlers due to their limited language development and cognitive sophistication 5
- Various pain assessment tools, such as the Wong Baker Facial Pain Rating scale, Modified Emoji Pain Scale, and indigenously made GIF Pain Scale, can be used to evaluate pain in toddlers 5
- A strong correlation was found between different pain assessment scales, indicating their reliability in clinical pediatric dentistry 5
Prevention and Management of Dental Pain in Toddlers
- Preventing dental caries through oral fluoride supplementation and fluoride varnish application can help reduce the risk of dental pain in toddlers 3
- Multimodal analgesia, including pharmacology, regional anesthesia, and psychological approaches, can be effective in managing acute and chronic pain in children 6
- Topical anesthesia, comfort positioning, sucrose or breastfeeding, and age-appropriate distraction can be used to eliminate or decrease pain during elective needle procedures 6