Dental Infection (Child)
Your child has been diagnosed with a dental infection. A dental infection is caused by bacteria inside a tooth. Bacteria can get inside a tooth if the tooth has a crack or cavity. Cavities are caused by problems in oral hygiene and poor diet. Cracks are most often caused by dental injury. Sometimes a dental infection can lead to an abscess. An abscess is an area of fluid (pus) inside the tooth or gums.
Symptoms of a dental infection or abscess include pain that is sharp or throbbing. The tooth is sensitive to hot, cold, or pressure. The gums can be red and swollen. Your child may also have a swollen neck or jaw and a fever. Some children have a bitter taste in the mouth or bad breath.
Antibiotics are given to treat the infection. In some cases, your child may need a root canal to save the tooth. In rare cases, the child may need surgery to drain the abscess.
Home care
Your child’s doctor may prescribe medicines for infection, pain, and fever. They may also prescribe fluoride supplements to help prevent tooth decay. Follow all instructions for giving these medicines to your child. If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, give them to your child as directed. Do not stop giving them just because your child feels better. The full course of antibiotics must be taken.
General care
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Use an ice pack for up to 20 minutes several times a day. This is to help reduce pain and ease swelling. To make an ice pack, put ice cubes in a plastic bag that seals at the top. Wrap the bag in a thin, dry towel or cloth before putting it on your child’s skin.
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Have your child rinse their mouth with warm saltwater. This will help reduce irritation, gum swelling, and pain. Make sure your child does not swallow the rinse.
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Help your child have good oral hygiene. Brush your child’s teeth or have your child brush their teeth at least twice a day. Use a fluoride toothpaste and soft-bristle toothbrush. Help your child with areas that are hard to reach, such as back molars.
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Offer your child a variety of healthy foods to eat. Have your child eat a healthy diet that doesn’t include many sugary foods and drinks.
Special notes to parents
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Babies ages 6 to 11 months. Teeth begin to come in around age 6 months. Brush your child’s teeth to prevent cavities. Make sure your child has dental checkups as soon as teeth come in. Ask the dentist how often your child should be seen.
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Children ages 12 months to 3 years. By the time a child is 3 years old, they will have a full set of baby teeth. It’s important to brush baby teeth to prevent cavities. Decay in baby teeth can affect permanent teeth.
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Children age 6 and up. Around the ages 6 to 7, permanent teeth start coming in. It’s important to brush permanent teeth to prevent cavities. Make sure your child has regular dental checkups. Ask the dentist how often your child should be seen.
Follow-up care
Follow up with your child’s dentist or other doctor, or as advised.
When to contact your child's doctor
Contact your child's doctor right away if:
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Your child has a fever (see "Fever and children" below).
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There's pain and swelling in your child's neck or face.
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Your child has nausea or vomiting.
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Your child has redness or swelling that doesn’t go away.
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Your child's pain gets worse.
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Bad-smelling fluid comes from the tooth.
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Your child has a headache.
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Your child has new symptoms.
Fever and children
Use a digital thermometer to check your child’s temperature. Don’t use a mercury thermometer. There are different kinds and uses of digital thermometers. They include:
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Rectal. For children younger than 3 years, a rectal temperature is the most accurate.
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Forehead (temporal). This works for children age 3 months and older. If a child under 3 months old has signs of illness, this can be used for a first pass. The doctor may want to confirm with a rectal temperature.
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Ear (tympanic). Ear temperatures are accurate after 6 months of age, but not before.
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Armpit (axillary). This is the least reliable but may be used for a first pass to check a child of any age with signs of illness. The doctor may want to confirm with a rectal temperature.
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Mouth (oral). Don’t use a thermometer in your child’s mouth until they are at least 4 years old.
Use the rectal thermometer with care. Follow the product maker’s directions for correct use. Insert it gently. Label it and make sure it’s not used in the mouth. It may pass on germs from the stool. If you don’t feel OK using a rectal thermometer, ask the doctor what type to use instead. When you talk with any doctor about your child’s fever, tell them which type you used.
Below are guidelines to know if your young child has a fever. Your child’s doctor may give you different numbers. Follow their instructions.
When to call a doctor about your child’s fever
For a baby under 3 months old:
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Rectal or forehead: 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
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Armpit: 99°F (37.2°C) or higher
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A fever of ___________ as advised by the doctor
For a child age 3 months to 36 months (3 years):
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Rectal or forehead: 102°F (38.9°C) or higher
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Ear (only for use over age 6 months): 102°F (38.9°C) or higher
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A fever of ___________ as advised by the doctor
In these cases:
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Armpit temperature of 103°F (39.4°C) or higher in a child of any age
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Temperature of 104°F (40°C) or higher in a child of any age
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A fever of ___________ as advised by the doctor