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Home Remedy for a Child's Toothache

Your child may have a toothache that's not letting him or her fall asleep, it's too late to get pain medication, and your dentist appointment isn't until next week. There are quick solutions that will offer a safe and effective way to care for your child's toothache. These solutions are great for temporary care when all you have is what's available at your home.

  1. Brush and Floss

    • There could be a number of causes for your child's toothache. It may be due to pieces of hidden food lodged in hard-to-reach places in your child's mouth. Use a penlight to explore the afflicted area for possible sources of irritation. If you find something, carefully have your child brush his or her teeth with soft bristles and gentle toothpaste. Floss the area to remove the particle that's causing irritation.

    Rinse with Salt Water

    • If your child's gums are a bit swollen, rinsing the area with warm salt water will alleviate some irritation. Measure one teaspoon of sea salt into a cup of warm (not hot) water and stir until it dissolves.Your child should swish this in his or her mouth every couple of hours. The salt is known to cure infections and warm water will help soothe the pain.

    Use an Ice Pack

    • You may just need to numb out the pain with a homemade icepack. See what's frozen in your freezer and plan accordingly. You can use a small bag of frozen green beans or other vegetables, or put ice into a hand-held plastic baggie. Wrap the ice pack in some comfy towels to protect the skin from frostbite. Have your child apply it on his or her jaw until it starts feeling numb. You can take it off the jaw when it's feeling better.

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