Tooth Pain

Table of Contents

Tooth pain is a discomfort around a tooth, often caused by cavities, infection, injury, or gum problems. Tooth pain can range from a mild ache to a sharp pain.

General actions to address a student who experiences tooth pain while in school or their program:

  1. Start by performing a visual check of the child’s mouth with a light; do not insert anything in the child’s mouth.
  2. If anything looks abnormal, contact the school nurse and the child’s parents.
  3. Have the child rinse their mouth with a solution of warm water and salt, if available (1 teaspoon of salt per cup of warm water), to help cleanse the area and soothe the pain.
  4. If there is swelling, apply a cold compress (e.g. ice pack wrapped in a cloth) to the outside of the cheek near the affected area for no more than 20 minutes at a time.
  5. Consider giving a child-safe pain reliever with parental consent.
  6. Encourage the parents to communicate with their child’s oral healthcare provider.