What Should I Do If My Child Has Toothache? 

When your child complains of toothache, it can be difficult to know whether the discomfort will settle or needs urgent attention. Toothache can have several causes, including tooth decay, a dental injury or an infection. Even if the pain comes and goes, it is important to take it seriously. 

If your child has toothache, contact a dentist for advice, particularly if the pain persists, keeps returning or affects their ability to eat or sleep. Seek urgent dental advice if there is swelling, fever, worsening pain or signs of infection. 

If your child has swelling around the eye or neck, or swelling that makes breathing, swallowing or speaking difficult, seek emergency medical help immediately. 

For families in Possilpark and across Glasgow, knowing where to seek advice can make the next steps clearer. This guide explains possible causes of childhood toothache, what you can do while waiting for dental advice and when to seek urgent help. 

What causes toothache in children? 

The cause of toothache depends on your child’s age, dental development and symptoms. An examination is the best way to establish what is happening. 

1. Tooth decay

Tooth decay is a common cause of toothache in children. It develops when acids produced by bacteria damage the tooth surface over time. Frequent sugary snacks and drinks can increase the risk, particularly when oral hygiene is not sufficient to remove plaque effectively. 

Early decay may not cause noticeable discomfort. As it progresses, your child might experience pain when eating, sensitivity to hot or cold foods, or a persistent ache. 

If decay reaches the inner part of a tooth, the pain may become more severe. A dentist can assess the tooth and explain whether treatment is needed. 

2. A new tooth coming through

Teething can cause sore or tender gums in babies and younger children. You may notice that your child chews on objects, dribbles more than usual or has a tender area where a tooth is emerging. 

However, not every episode of mouth pain is caused by teething. Significant or persistent pain, facial swelling, a fever or a child who seems unusually unwell should not automatically be attributed to a new tooth. 

If you are unsure whether your child is teething or has another dental problem, contact a dental professional for advice. 

3. A chipped, cracked or injured tooth

Children can damage their teeth while playing sports, falling or having an accident. Sometimes the damage is obvious, but a small crack or injury may be harder to see. 

Your child might complain of pain when biting, sensitivity to cold drinks or discomfort around the affected tooth. A dental injury can sometimes affect the inside of a tooth even when the visible damage appears minor. 

If your child has injured a tooth, contact a dentist promptly for advice. A knocked-out baby tooth should not be put back into the socket. If an adult tooth has been knocked out, seek urgent dental help immediately and do not handle the root. 

4. A dental abscess or infection

An infection can develop when bacteria reach the inner tissues of a tooth or the surrounding gums. A dental abscess may cause persistent or throbbing pain, swelling, a bad taste in the mouth or discomfort when chewing. 

Children may also have difficulty eating or sleeping because of the pain. 

Suspected dental infections need urgent dental assessment. They will not clear up reliably with pain relief alone, and delaying treatment can allow the problem to worsen. 

5. Food trapped between teeth or sore gums

Food caught between teeth can cause local discomfort, especially if the gums are already irritated. Plaque build-up can also contribute to inflamed gums, which may look red, feel tender or bleed during brushing. 

Encourage your child to keep their teeth clean, but do not force anything into a painful area or use sharp objects to remove trapped food. If the discomfort persists, a dentist can check the area and advise on appropriate cleaning. 

How can I tell whether my child’s toothache needs urgent attention? 

A child’s symptoms can change quickly, so it is important to look at the whole picture rather than judging the problem by how much pain they report. 

Contact your child’s dentist promptly if they have persistent toothache, pain that interferes with eating or sleeping, a broken tooth, or symptoms that are getting worse. 

Seek urgent dental advice if they have swelling around the tooth or face, a fever alongside dental pain, pus or a bad taste that may indicate infection, or difficulty opening their mouth. 

What you notice	What to do
Mild toothache that keeps returning	Contact a dentist for advice and an appointment.
Pain lasting more than a day or two	Arrange a dental assessment; seek advice sooner if symptoms worsen.
Broken tooth or dental injury	Contact a dentist promptly for guidance.
Facial or gum swelling, fever or suspected abscess	Seek urgent dental assessment.
Difficulty breathing or swallowing because of swelling	Call 999 or attend A&E immediately.

In Scotland, if your child needs urgent dental advice outside normal practice hours, contact NHS 24 on 111. For severe swelling affecting breathing or swallowing, call 999. 

How can I ease my child’s toothache at home? 

While arranging dental advice, there are a few steps that may help make your child more comfortable. These measures can ease symptoms temporarily, but they will not treat the underlying cause of the pain. 

Offer soft foods and avoid triggers 

Choose foods that are easy to chew, such as soft pasta, scrambled eggs or yoghurt if suitable for your child’s age and dietary needs. Encourage them to chew on the unaffected side if that feels more comfortable. 

Avoid very hot, very cold or sugary foods and drinks if these make the pain worse. 

Keep the mouth clean 

Encourage gentle brushing with a soft toothbrush and age-appropriate fluoride toothpaste. If the painful area is sensitive, clean carefully rather than scrubbing harder. 

Do not use sharp objects to investigate a cavity or remove food from around a painful tooth. 

Ask about suitable pain relief 

A pharmacist can advise on appropriate pain relief for your child’s age, weight and circumstances. If you use a medicine, follow the product’s instructions carefully and use the recommended dose. 

Children under 16 should not be given aspirin. Do not place aspirin directly on a tooth or gum, as it can damage the tissues. 

If your child is very young, has other medical conditions or takes other medicines, seek professional advice before giving pain relief. 

Comfort your child 

Dental pain can make children anxious, particularly if they have never experienced it before. Explain that you are going to get help and reassure them that they can tell you when something hurts. 

Avoid promising that an appointment will be completely painless. Instead, explain that the dental team will assess the problem and talk you through what needs to happen. 

Do not rely on home remedies or pain relief to postpone a dental appointment if the pain continues or becomes worse. 

What happens when a child visits the dentist with toothache? 

Your dentist will usually begin by asking about the pain and examining your child’s teeth and gums. Depending on their age and symptoms, they may ask: 

• When the pain started and whether it comes and goes. 

• Whether it hurts when eating, drinking or biting. 

• Whether your child has had an injury or knocked a tooth. 

• Whether there has been swelling, fever or a change in eating habits. 

• Whether your child has had similar problems before. 

The dentist may recommend an X-ray if it would help assess the affected tooth. This depends on the clinical findings and whether the image is needed to guide treatment. 

The appropriate treatment depends on the cause. It may involve a filling, repairing a damaged tooth, treating an infection or removing a tooth if it cannot be restored. Not every child with toothache will need the same treatment. 

Your dentist should explain the findings, discuss the options and help you understand the next steps. If your child feels nervous, let the team know so they can consider how best to support them during the appointment. 

Are baby teeth important if they will eventually fall out? 

Yes. Baby teeth help children chew, speak and maintain space for their developing adult teeth. They can also become painful or infected if decay is left untreated. 

It is tempting to assume that a painful baby tooth does not need treatment because it will eventually fall out. However, the timing of that change varies, and problems in a baby tooth can affect your child’s comfort and oral health in the meantime. 

If your child has toothache in a baby tooth, arrange a dental assessment rather than assuming it can wait until the tooth falls out naturally. 

How can I help prevent toothache in my child? 

Good daily habits can reduce the risk of tooth decay and other common dental problems. Children benefit from help and supervision with brushing until they have the ability and coordination to clean their teeth effectively. 

Try to establish a consistent routine: 

• Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, including last thing at night. 

• Use an age-appropriate amount of toothpaste and supervise brushing. 

• Help your child clean all tooth surfaces gently and thoroughly. 

• Limit sugary foods and drinks, keeping them to mealtimes where possible. 

• Offer water regularly between meals. 

• Attend dental appointments at the intervals recommended for your child. 

Registering your child with a dentist early helps establish a familiar place to seek advice when a problem arises. In Scotland, NHS dental services also support children’s preventive care through programmes such as Childsmile. 

Regular appointments are not only about checking for decay. They give the dental team an opportunity to monitor your child’s development, offer prevention advice and help them become comfortable with dental visits. 

Should I register my child with an NHS dentist in Possilpark? 

If you live in or around Possilpark and are looking for dental care for your child, it is worth contacting the practice directly to ask about current NHS registration arrangements. 

Envisage Dentistry Possilpark provides general dentistry, family dental care and NHS dental services. However, availability and the arrangements for individual treatments should be confirmed with the practice before booking. 

When you contact the team, explain your child’s age, symptoms and whether you need a routine appointment or urgent advice. If your child is in pain, make this clear rather than booking a routine check-up without mentioning the symptoms. 

For NHS treatment in Scotland, the practice can explain the applicable arrangements and any relevant costs before treatment is carried out. 

Looking for children’s dental care in Possilpark? 

Toothache can be upsetting for both children and parents, but getting appropriate advice early can help establish the cause and reduce the risk of the problem worsening. 

Envisage Dentistry Possilpark provides general and family dental care at Possilpark Health & Care Centre, 99 Saracen Street, Possilpark, Glasgow, G22 5AP. 

You can contact the practice on 0141 800 0630 or email [email protected] to ask about an appointment and current NHS registration arrangements. 

If your child has persistent pain, swelling or other concerning symptoms, seek dental advice promptly rather than waiting for a routine appointment. If you need urgent dental advice outside normal hours in Scotland, contact NHS 24 on 111. Difficulty breathing or swallowing because of swelling is an emergency: call 999.