How to Tell if There is an Abscess on My Child’s Gums
Posted on April 5th, 2023 | Christopher Neal
What are Dental Abscesses?
Dental abscesses are pus-filled sacs that occur due to infections caused by bacterial overgrowth in specific areas of the mouth, such as under the gum line or within a tooth. Abscesses that are left untreated can result in the infection spreading to the jaw bone, neck, and other areas of the body.
Types Abscesses
There are different types of dental abscesses, including gingival, periodontal, and periapical. The differences between these types of abscesses are as follows:
- A gingival abscess is located in the gum tissue and does not touch nearby teeth.
- A periodontal abscess is located in the gum tissue and alongside the root structure of a tooth.
- A periapical abscess, or “tooth abscess,” is located at the root structure of a tooth but begins at the crown where damage has occurred, such as a crack or tooth decay.
Dental abscesses can be extremely painful and lead to various oral health issues. Since they’re caused by infections, abscesses do not heal on their own and require immediate medical attention.
Anyone can develop a dental abscess, including children. Unfortunately, kids can have a harder time realizing something is wrong with their teeth, which could allow the infection to worsen before a parent or guardian is made aware and schedules a dental appointment.
No matter what type of abscess it is, if you find a bump on your child’s gums, it’s important to seek immediate medical treatment.
Steps to Take if Your Child Has A Dental Abscess
When there is an abscess on the gums, your child will likely be in pain, but there are a few steps you can take to help make them more comfortable until you can visit the dentist for professional dental treatment.
First, speak to your pediatric dentist in Palos Heights about what pain relief medications are safe to give your child. They will likely tell you to provide over the counter medication, such as NSAIDS like ibuprofen.
Second, make sure not to give your child anything very hot or cold to eat or drink. This could cause pain and irritate the affected area.
Third, when your child goes to brush their teeth, help them to make sure they’re not too rough with their toothbrush, instruct them not to use floss, and to avoid the infected area. If they can’t tolerate brushing or even gentle wiping with a washcloth, simply have them rinse their mouth out with water before bed until they have received treatment.
Signs of an Abscessed Tooth in Children
If your child has a dental abscess, they will likely experience various symptoms that indicate there is an infection present. Symptoms can include the following:
- Your child has severe tooth pain
- Your child is experiencing pain in one area of the gums, especially throbbing pain
- Dental discomfort is worse when lying down
- Jaw, neck, or ear pain is present on one side
- Swelling, redness, or pain is present in one area of the face (usually near the mouth or along the jawline)
- Gum tissue is red or swollen
- Your child has a loose tooth
- There is a white, raised bump on the gums
- Your child has bad breath
- Chewing or drinking is painful
- Your child complains of a bad taste in their mouth
- Your child can only sleep on one side
- Fever is present
- Symptoms of general illness are present
If your child is exhibiting any of the above symptoms, or you notice a bump on their gum tissue, contact the dental professionals at Chicago KiDDS Pediatric Dentistry to schedule an emergency dental visit.
Contact Us
If your child is experiencing dental discomfort or you have other reasons to believe they may have a dental abscess, contact us at Chicago KiDDS Pediatric Dentistry as soon as possible.
Our trained pediatric dental professionals will help restore your child’s oral health and provide appropriate treatment without delay.
As an emergency dentist in Palos Heights, IL, we also offer same-day appointments for severe cases of dental pain and infection.
