As a parent, there is perhaps nothing as helpless as having your child wake up in the middle of the night, screaming from the pain of their teeth. It is often during those times that the dentist’s office is closed, leaving you unsure what is going on, and whether or not it is urgent.
Child nighttime tooth pain is a very common reason for Pakenham parents to call us in an emergency. What we want to reassure you of is that in most cases of childhood toothache at night, treatment can be safely carried out from home, especially once you understand the causes of nighttime pain.
This article will take you through the most common causes of child toothache at night, treatments you can give your child safely at home, the right types of medication for a child, and what symptoms require urgent attention.
Why Does Tooth Pain Feel Worse at Night?
It is true that tooth pain gets worse at night because there are biological reasons behind this occurrence.
First, when your kid lies in bed, the pressure on the head becomes stronger. This results in an increase in blood flow in this part of the body, increasing the pressure on any inflamed zone such as a nerve, cavity, or infection. The throbbing pain experienced by the child at that moment is more intense than the dull ache the child feels earlier in the day.
Another reason is the feeling of being distracted during the day. While children engage in playing and interacting with others, this distracts them from any pain. In contrast, at night, nothing distracts kids, so the pain becomes more noticeable and pronounced.
Finally, during the rest period, the production of pain-relieving hormones like endorphins decreases, causing a low pain threshold for kids.
Common Causes of Child Tooth Pain at Night
- Knowing ahead what is likely behind your pain can help you better approach it before grabbing the painkillers. The most common causes for night-time toothache among children are
- Dental caries (tooth decay): By far the most frequent one. Bacteria feed on sugar that remains on teeth surfaces, producing acid which destroys enamel. Once the cavity reaches sensitive dentin, it will cause more severe pain especially if lying down.
- Dental abscess: If not treated, the bacterial infection may reach the roots of the tooth, forming a pocket of pus inside it. This will cause constant, painful feeling with fever and swelling, which is the only one out of those described here requiring an emergency dentist visit.
- Tooth eruption or loose teeth: As a child is shedding their baby teeth or growing new permanent teeth, he or she may feel some pain coming from gums. It’s completely normal and can be managed at home.
- Teeth grinding: Most kids grind their teeth subconsciously while sleeping. Eventually, it will cause jaw pain and toothache, along with headache in most cases.
- Food trapped between teeth: Hard food particles wedged under gums or between tight teeth may cause acute pain, which subsides after cleaning the area thoroughly.
- Sinus pressure: Toothache in upper back teeth that tends to change its location could be a symptom of sinus problems, especially when it occurs after suffering a cold or during hay fever.
Safe Home Remedies for Child Tooth Pain at Night
Your objective when your child gets toothache in the morning is to alleviate their symptoms as quickly as possible and arrange for dental treatment. The following remedies for toothache in children should work in most cases:
1. Rinse with warm salt water solution:
Mix half a tablespoon of salt in a glass of lukewarm water and have your child gargle with it for 30 seconds without swallowing. Salt water serves as an anti-inflammatory agent that relieves the pain due to gum irritation or infection in its early stage. Appropriate for children over the age of five or six.
2. Ice pack on cheek:
Put a couple of ice cubes inside a towel and place the compress on your child’s cheek over the sore tooth, holding it there for 15 minutes on, then 15 minutes off. Cold decreases swelling and helps numb the area to provide relief. Avoid applying ice directly onto skin surface.
3. Elevate the Head:
A simple trick is to put some pillows under your child to minimize the build-up of blood pressure around the tooth and alleviate the pain associated with it. This method is very simple and very effective at the same time.
4. Look for Any Stuck Food:
It would be wise to look for any food particles trapped between the teeth where there is inflammation. This should be done gently, provided your kid is willing to cooperate.
Kid Toothache Pain Relief Medicine: What Is Safe?
If your home remedies fail to relieve discomfort to a comfortable level, age-appropriate OTC medicines may assist your kid to sleep during the night. The main rule of thumb in this regard is that you must always strictly adhere to the dosing advice indicated on the packaging in relation to your child’s age and weight.
Paracetamol (e.g., Children’s Panadol)
The medicine is suitable for children aged at least one month and is usually the drug of first resort when your child experiences mild to moderate dental pain. It is known for effective pain signal reduction and is well-tolerated at the proper dose.
Ibuprofen (e.g., Nurofen for Children)
Ibuprofen is both a pain killer and anti-inflammatory. For this reason, it is especially beneficial in cases where swelling occurs. It can be given to children over three months old (refer to the package for more details about minimum weight requirement). However, some types of stomach problems will prevent your child from taking ibuprofen.
When to See a Dentist Urgently (Do Not Wait Until Morning)
Fortunately, most cases of childhood tooth pain will be able to wait until your next appointment with your local Pakenham dentist. But in the following circumstances, an urgent visit or even an emergency is called for:
- Your child is suffering from swelling on their face, especially in the area under the jaw and near the eye
- There is fever associated with the toothache
- Your child has problems swallowing or breathing
- Severe tooth pain that does not respond to any painkillers and doesn’t stop
- Pus, a blister, or a swollen gum next to the tooth
An entire tooth being knocked out (pick up by the crown, not the root, keep in milk, and go to the nearest emergency dentist within 30 minutes)
These could all be signs of an infection spreading in your child’s teeth and mouth, which needs immediate attention.
Preventing Future Nighttime Toothaches
By far the best way of dealing with child toothache at home is by ensuring that the tooth ache does not occur in the first place. Habits instilled early in children can make an immense difference to how much pain and discomfort will be experienced throughout their life.
- Brush at least twice a day, with a soft brush and fluoride toothpaste – once in the morning and once just before bed time
- Floss regularly between the teeth once there are two teeth next to each other – food impaction between teeth causes more trouble than one would imagine
- Reduce intake of sugary foods and beverages, especially before going to sleep – sugar left on the teeth overnight leads to tooth decay quickly
- Consume fluoride enriched Pakenham tap water – fluoride is present in tap water here
- Visit a dentist regularly for a check up every six months
Child Dental Care in Pakenham — The CDBS Explained
In case you have concerns about costs, it will be good to know that your kids in Pakenham are eligible to claim up to $1,132 worth of dental treatment from the government through their Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS). Here at Pakenham Shine Dental, we will bulk bill eligible children within the scheme for no cost to you.
Eligibility requires that your kid is between ages 2 and 17 and your family has received a specific government payment such as the Family Tax Benefit Part A. This can be verified using myGov.
Summary: What to Do Tonight
- Gargle with warm saltwater
- Use a cold compress on the cheek
- Place pillows under your child’s head
- Provide age-appropriate pain medication according to the packaging instructions
- Schedule an appointment at your dentist’s office immediately upon waking up
- Consult your dentist immediately if there is any swelling or fever
| If your child is in dental pain, contact Pakenham Shine Dental — we see children of all ages and offer CDBS bulk billing for eligible families. Visit us at Hunt Way, Pakenham, or book online at pakenhamshinedental.au |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Why does my child’s tooth ache get worse at night?
As a child lies down, increased blood flow causes higher pressure on inflamed or painful teeth/nerve, which makes the pain throb. Pain becomes more obvious because a child will have less distraction during sleep. It’s a completely normal reaction – nothing more serious happened.
Q2: What is the best home treatment for my child’s toothache in the nighttime?
First of all, a rinse with warm salty water and cold compress applied from outside on the cheek should do the job. As an addition, age appropriate paracetamol or ibuprofen used at a proper dose considering your child’s weight will help while waiting for a visit to the dentist.
Q3: Can I give ibuprofen or paracetamol to my child to ease her tooth ache?
Yes. Both paracetamol and ibuprofen can be recommended in a right dose according to a child’s weight and age. Ibuprofen, besides, has a mild anti-inflammatory effect and may help with tooth ache caused by swelling.
Q4: How can I tell if it is an emergency when my child’s tooth hurts?
It is a matter of urgency if your child has facial swelling (especially around the jaw or eyes), if you notice a fever together with their tooth pain, if your child finds it hard to breathe or swallow, or if they have unbearable pain that does not respond to any form of painkillers.
Q5: Are children dental services in Pakenham provided free of charge?
Children aged between 2 and 17 in Pakenham who are eligible for the Medicare CDBS program can benefit from dental work worth up to $1,132 in two consecutive years. Pakenham Shine Dental provides bulk billing dental services for the CDBS program. Therefore, eligible patients get to enjoy the services without paying.
Q6: Should I allow my child to sleep during a toothache?
It is alright to allow your child to sleep if the pain is mild and manageable and your kid falls asleep using home remedies. But if the pain is unbearable, if you see facial swelling or a fever, or if your child does not fall asleep despite the application of painkillers, seek urgent dental assistance immediately.
