Toothache Making Molar Misery Milder

Making Molar Misery Milder

Your child approaches you holding the side of his face. His tooth aches, and he wants you to make it better. This is one hurt, however, that a loving kiss won't cure. You call the dentist immediately and make an appointment, but the earliest appointment isn't until tomorrow afternoon. Now what?

''A toothache can be caused by any number of problems,'' says Edward Grace, D.D.S., director of behavioral sciences at the University of Maryland Dental School in Baltimore. '' While it could be a cavity, there could also be a crack in the enamel, a permanent tooth trying to break through, an irritated gum or just a loose baby tooth causing discomfort.''

Because you probably don't know for sure what's causing your child's tooth to hurt, the experts suggest that you try as many of the following remedies as necessary to help ease the pain during the hours you must wait before seeing the dentist.

Look for the obvious. ''Sometimes a piece of food can get jammed between two teeth and cause soreness,'' says William Kuttler, D.D.S., a dentist in Dubuque, Iowa, who has been treating children for more than 20 years. Look carefully in the area where your child has pain, using a penlight if necessary, to see if anything is stuck there. Then carefully try to remove any material with dental floss, or have your child try to do it himself if he's old enough. (Children aged seven or eight can usually manage the floss themselves.)

Try a saltwater rinse. If you can see that the gum is a bit swollen or irritated, a saltwater rinse may be the ticket to relief. ''Mix a teaspoon of salt in an eight-ounce glass of warm water,'' advises Luke Matranga, D.D.S., president of the Academy of General Dentistry and chairman of the Department of Comprehensive Dental Care at Creighton University Dental School in Omaha. ''Have your child swish the warm saltwater around and spit it out.'' Repeat this every few hours.

Test a warm water swish. If you can't see any gum irritation, plain warm water may help. ''If your child has eroding or cracked tooth enamel, then bathing the sensitive tooth in a warm water rinse may help soothe the pain,'' says Dr. Matranga. Give your child a glassful of warm water to swish around his mouth, and repeat as required if the tooth starts hurting again. (He can swallow unsalted water--but he may want to spit it out.)

Or serve up cold water. If the warm water doesn't help, try cold. ''There are some causes of tooth pain that feel better with a cold water rinse,'' says Dr. Grace. '' You can even take a cup of cold water with you on the drive to the dentist, so your child can swish it around and swallow it on the way.''

Apply an ice-pack. If the pain is severe, a cold pack may provide relief. Wrap a bag of crushed ice in a towel and hold it against the painful jaw, suggests Dr. Kuttler.

Choose soft, lukewarm foods or liquids. A painful tooth can feel even worse if your child chomps down on it while eating, says Dr. Matranga. Opt for soup, broth or anything soft--but avoid very hot foods. If cold irritates the tooth, avoid cold drinks and ice cream as well.

Select bland foods. If the problem appears to be an irritated gum, spicy foods could make it more painful, says Dr. Matranga. ''Stay away from vinegar, mustard and salt, for example, because they could irritate the area,'' he says. You should also skip sugary foods or juice, because if the problem's a cavity, sugar will make the pain even worse.

Keep the lips zipped. ''Tell your child to keep her lips together and the jaw relaxed so the upper and lower teeth don't touch,'' says Dr. Grace. ''That will keep her from placing any pressure on a sore tooth--or sucking in air that may hurt a tooth that's sensitive to cold.''

Give an OTC painkiller. Over-the-counter products such as acetaminophen (Children's Tylenol) may help relieve the pain of a toothache, says Steven Vincent, D.D.S., associate professor at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry in Iowa City. Check the package directions for the correct dosage for your child's age and weight. If your child is under age two, consult a physician. Children should not be given aspirin because of the risk of Reye's syndrome, a life-threatening neurological disease.

Use a little eugenol. Some over-the-counter oral pain-relief products such as Dentemp contain eugenol, which is made from oil of cloves. That's the same spice used on holiday hams. ''Or you may want to try one of the other over-the-counter oral pain medications, such as Num-Zit or Anbesol,'' says Dr. Kuttler. Some of these contain clove oil. For amounts and application, follow the instructions on the package.

Distract your child. There are many ways you can help take your child's mind off the pain while waiting for the dental appointment, says Dr. Kuttler. Let your child curl up in a comfortable chair and read to him, or turn on a favorite video or television show. Playing games or listening to some favorite music can also provide distraction until it's time to leave for the dentist's.