Toothache medicine for children, this is a safe and effective choice

Children are prone to experiencing toothaches. Either because of perforated teeth or swollen gums. This problem is sure to make you worry because your little one is fussy and doesn't want to eat. So to get better quickly, give toothache medicine for children either from the pharmacy or natural at home in the recommendations below!

List of common children's toothache remedies

Quoted from Kids Care Dental, if a child has a toothache, try to find the cause of the toothache first. When your child is able to talk, ask them to tell or describe what the pain was like. If not, ask him to show where the source of the pain is.

What can be done is to see if there is swelling, redness of the gums, discolored teeth, or even broken.

If you have this, parents must be smart in choosing toothache medications that are safe and suitable for children. In general, the type and dose of toothache medication should be adjusted to his age and current body weight.

Here is a list of toothache medications that are safe for young children to drink. Of course, by still adhering to the method of use and the recommended dose, and not used for the long term

1. Paracetamol

Source: NBC News

Acetaminophen or paracetamol is one of the most popular toothache medications. Paracetamol also simultaneously relieves gum pain, headaches, fever, and chills that often accompany toothaches. This one drug can be purchased at drugstores without having to redeem a doctor's prescription.

But before giving this medicine to a child who has a toothache, make sure you read the rules of use carefully. This toothache medicine can be given to children from 2 months of age and older who are born after 37 weeks of age, and if their current body weight is more than 4 kg.

Paracetamol dosage for babies aged 2-3 months is different from children who are older. So, consult your pediatrician before giving this medicine.

Don't hesitate to ask your doctor directly if you are worried or unsure about the dosage of drugs that are safe for your little one.

It should be understood that paracetamol is the same as other drugs that have a risk of side effects. Immediately take it to the doctor if your child experiences itching and rash on the skin, swelling of the face, tongue or throat, dizziness, and difficulty breathing.

These are all reactions that are indicated if the child is allergic to the drug.

2. Ibuprofen

Source: Drug Free

The drug ibuprofen is also often used to relieve toothaches, headaches, and swollen gums in children. This drug belongs to the NSAID painkiller class which works to prevent the production of inflammation-causing substances in the body.

Ibuprofen can only be given for toothache medicine if your child is 3 months old and weighs 5 kg or more. Avoid giving this medicine if your child has asthma, kidney and liver problems, and blood clotting disorders.

You have to be careful if you want to give this toothache medicine to children because the dose of ibuprofen is stronger than paracetamol. So, make sure to measure the dose of this drug exactly as recommended on the packaging label or from your doctor's recommendation.

Also pay attention to the risk of side effects that may be felt by children, such as stomach pain, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, to dizziness and drowsiness. If after taking medication, the child's neck becomes stiff or his hearing is impaired, immediately see a doctor.

We recommend that you consult your doctor first to ensure the safety of this drug before giving it to your beloved baby.

3. Naproxen

Source: Very Well Mind

If paracetamol or ibuprofen is not available, naproxen medicine can be given to children who have toothaches. This medication can reduce pain and swelling due to toothache if used as directed. Do not increase your dose or take your medication more often than recommended.

Immediately take the child to the doctor if he experiences signs of an allergic reaction such as hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

A number of studies have also reported that naproxen has potential side effects such as stomach cramps, nausea, drowsiness, dizziness, and heartburn. So, use this remedy wisely. So that your little one does not have a stomachache, you should give this medicine after he has eaten.

If there are other drugs that are being taken regularly by your little one, it's a good idea to consult your doctor first. Naproxen may interact with other drugs that can make it ineffective, or increase the risk of serious side effects.

Pay attention to this when giving toothache medicine to children

One way to endure the toothache that your child experiences before going to the dentist is to give medicine.

However, never give aspirin it can lead to Reye's Syndrome. This condition causes swelling in the hearts and brains of children and can be fatal.

Nor do you apply any pain relievers directly on the child's gums because it can injure the gums. You can compress the aching child's teeth with ice cubes or apply clove oil as a way to treat the pain temporarily.

Choice of natural toothache remedies for children

Apart from taking the various medicines above, you can also try these natural remedies to relieve a child's toothache at home:

1. Gargle salt water

If a child with a toothache doesn't want to take medicine, try to persuade him to rinse with salt water. This is a natural remedy for toothache inherited from our ancestors.

A salt water solution can relieve toothache and gum disease caused by gingivitis (inflammation of the gums). Not only that. Gargling with salt water can also help remove food debris stuck between your teeth as well as kill the bacteria that cause plaque.

You can dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Ask the child to rinse his mouth for a few seconds and remove the scum of the burrow. Remember, do not swallow water used to rinse. Do this at least twice a day.

Every time you finish rinsing, encourage your child to brush their teeth until they are clean.

2. Cold compress

If gargling with salt water still makes your child fussy, try applying an ice cube to the side of the cheek where the tooth hurts. The cold temperature of the ice cube can numb the nerves, causing the sensation to stop temporarily.

Not only that, but the coldness of the ice can also deflate the swelling of the gums of children. When trying this natural toothache remedy for this one child, you should not put ice cubes directly on the skin.

Take a few ice cubes and wrap them in a washcloth or washcloth. Place the washcloth on the side of the cheek that hurts for 15-20 minutes. Repeat this method until your child's swollen gums or cheeks have slowly subsided.

It should be noted that in some cases, cold compresses can also make toothaches worse. So, pay close attention to the reactions that arise in your little one, and remove the compress if he seems uncomfortable.

3. Encourage children to brush their teeth diligently

Toothache your child is experiencing can be caused by perforated teeth and food left inside. So, to get rid of the pile of food in the cavities of your teeth, encourage your little one to diligently brush her teeth twice a day; in the morning and at night.

Teach you how to brush your teeth properly. Make sure you buy special brushes and toothpaste for children. In addition, choose a toothbrush that has soft bristles.

Try brushing parts of your teeth that are difficult to reach or are often ignored by your little one, such as the inner molars

Teeth flossing equally important. The reason is,flossing can clean food debris between the teeth and in the inner oral cavity, which cannot be reached with an ordinary toothbrush.

Medicines are not effective in relieving children's toothaches, consult a dentist

It should be understood that the effects of toothache medicines for children, whether medical or natural, such as cold compresses, salt water gargles, toothbrushes, and flossing, only lasted temporarily.

If your little one's condition does not improve or gets worse within 24 hours, you should immediately take him to the dentist to find out the source of the problem.

Children are more at risk of developing oral and dental infections than adults. So, if you are worried about the health of your little one's teeth and mouth, don't hesitate to ask him to see a dentist.

The dentist can perform the right treatment according to your little one's needs. Starting from removing teeth, filling teeth, and so on. The doctor may also prescribe certain types of toothache medication for your child.