Assessment
The cause of pain should be identified before deciding whether monitoring, repair or urgent care is needed.
Child toothache
Toothache in children can come from decay, eruption, gum inflammation, trauma or infection, and some symptoms need urgent advice.
Last updated 2026-07-29
My child has tooth pain. What should I watch for?
Children may not describe dental pain clearly. They may avoid chewing, wake at night, point to a tooth, complain of a sore gum, or seem unsettled. The first step is deciding whether symptoms are urgent.
What you may be worried about
- Pain may be from decay or infection.
- A baby tooth problem may affect eating or sleep.
- You may not know whether to wait or book urgently.
Common patterns people notice
- child toothache
- tooth pain
- sleep or eating changes
Possible causes
- Decay, a deep cavity or food trapping.
- Eruption discomfort or gum inflammation.
- Trauma, a fall or a knock to a tooth.
- Infection around a tooth or gum.
When to treat this as urgent
Urgency level: soon
- Facial or gum swelling.
- Fever, feeling unwell or spreading pain.
- Trauma, a fall, a loose tooth from injury or a broken tooth.
- Pain that wakes the child or stops eating.
What to do now
- Notice whether pain affects eating, sleep, mood, brushing or one side of the mouth.
- Use urgent help for swelling, fever, trauma, severe pain or a broken tooth.
- Book an assessment if pain persists, keeps returning or your child avoids chewing.
What to avoid
- Do not assume a baby tooth can be ignored because it will eventually fall out.
- Do not wait on swelling, fever or pain that affects eating or sleep.
When to arrange a dental assessment
- Arrange assessment if toothache persists, recurs, wakes the child, affects eating or is linked with a cavity, trauma or swelling.
What a dentist may need to assess
- Whether the tooth is baby or adult, decay, eruption, gum inflammation, trauma signs, swelling and what care the child can tolerate.
Options that may be considered
Stabilising symptoms
Some problems need pain control, cleaning advice or temporary management before definitive care.
Treatment planning
If decay, infection or trauma is involved, options should be explained in a way parents can understand.
What we would consider before recommending treatment
- Age, tooth type and whether the tooth is baby or adult.
- Pain pattern, swelling and trauma history.
- Cooperation, comfort and the safest treatment setting.
If it were our own teeth
If it were our child, we would want the cause understood early, especially if pain affects sleep, eating or there is swelling.
A sensible next step
Use the emergency dental page for swelling, trauma, severe pain or a broken tooth. Otherwise, book an appointment if pain persists or keeps returning.
Possible next steps
- Monitoring, cleaning advice, repair, temporary stabilisation, urgent care, referral or follow-up may be discussed.
Common questions
Can baby teeth get infected?
Yes. Baby teeth can develop decay, pain and infection and should be assessed if symptoms persist.
Is child toothache always urgent?
Not always, but swelling, fever, trauma, severe pain or pain affecting eating and sleep should be treated promptly.
Want us to assess your situation?
Book when you feel ready to understand the problem, options and next step.