Toothaches in children are often caused by decay or a bumped tooth, while a swelling of the face can signal an infection spreading to the surrounding tissues. If your child is experiencing pain or swelling, it’s important to seek care promptly. The Norwest team is here to provide gentle, expert treatment and compassionate support for both children and their caregivers.
Toothaches in children often stem from decay or dental trauma. Cavities begin when enamel breaks down, allowing bacteria to enter the inner layers of the tooth. If the decay reaches the pulp—the tooth’s nerve centre—it can cause intense pain and discomfort.
Swelling around the face or cheeks signals an infection spreading from a tooth to surrounding tissues, often developing quickly in children. Prompt dental care is essential to prevent complications and ensure effective treatment.
Delayed toothache can sometimes result from a bump or knock to the teeth. While the initial pain may subside, the trauma can damage the tooth’s blood vessels and nerves, causing the inner tissue to slowly die.
This process can go unnoticed until the tooth begins to hurt, sometimes months or even years later.
If you suspect this may be the cause of your child’s discomfort, it’s a good idea to make an appointment so we can identify the issue and provide the right care.
Facial swelling is a sign that an infection is beyond the tooth into surrounding tissues. In children, this can happen rapidly—a mild toothache at bedtime can turn into noticeable swelling by morning.
Young children may struggle to let you know that they’re in pain, so it’s important to watch for other signs that could indicate they need urgent care.
A localised swelling may appear inside the mouth near the affected tooth or as facial swelling, indicating the infection has spread beyond the tooth into the surrounding tissues.
A cavity starts in the outer layer of a tooth, but the hole eventually reaches the inner layers of the tooth, which can be sensitive when eating cold, hot, or sweet foods.
When decay reaches the pulp—the tooth’s innermost layer housing nerves and blood vessels—the pain intensifies. This can lead to constant, throbbing discomfort.
When your child eats, food can become trapped in a cavity or pushing on the gum between teeth, causing sharp, immediate discomfort, generally during or straight after eating.
Children may describe a sharp pain when biting down, which often subsides once they finish eating but returns with the next meal.
Children may avoid chewing on one side of their mouth to prevent the discomfort of food getting trapped in a cavity.
The swollen parts of your child’s face may be tender to touch and/or feel warm. This is their body trying to contain the infection, but it’s also a warning sign that your child needs prompt specialist care.
If your child experiences swelling, it will only happen on one side of their face at a time. This might make their cheek or the area under their eye look a little puffy. In some cases, the swelling can also spread under their jaw on the same side.
If your child is in severe pain, or develops facial swelling from a tooth infection (regardless of if they are in pain or not), it’s time to see a dentist right away—especially if the swelling is affecting their ability to swallow or breathe comfortably.
*No referrals are required for facial swellings.
When you call to book your appointment, here’s what you can expect:
We will offer you the first available appointment in our books.
We will give you advice on pain relief to administer straight away.
We may ask you to send us photos of the area in question, so that we know exactly what to do when you arrive in the clinic.
You child may need to urgently start antibiotics, and we can give you advice on how to obtain these from your GP.
You and your child will come into our clinic for a consultation, where we will gather information with an examination, photos and x-rays.
We will create a treatment plan for the decayed or infected tooth, along with any other necessary treatment.
While antibiotics help manage the infection and reduce swelling, they don’t address the underlying cause. Treatment is typically done once the infection has settled as swellings can affect a dentist’s ability to adequately numb the tooth.
As a parent or carer, it’s completely normal to feel shock when your child develops a toothache or swelling. It’s important not to feel guilty or blame yourself—often, a minor toothache can escalate rapidly, and it’s hard to predict when a simple toothache might turn into something more serious.
You may also have concerns about the treatment your child needs—whether surgery is required and how they’ll cope.
We understand the emotions you’re experiencing, and we’ll support you every step of the way with clear treatment options, practical advice, and a compassionate approach. We’re here to work together as a team.
Our team of paediatric dental specialists, surgeons, and oral health therapists work together to provide expert care for emergencies, complex conditions, and children with additional needs who may feel distressed or face challenges in a general dental setting.
Our goal is to create a calm, positive experience—offering options like happy gas and distractions, such as watching an iPad. Our team will ensure your appointment runs quickly, smoothly and with minimal discomfort for your child.
If your child is experiencing dental trauma or facial swelling, please call our reception team for further advice.
We’re here to guide you and your child with care and compassion at every step. We’ll explain what’s happening and the procedure thoroughly to you, and use age-appropriate language to help your child feel at ease and prepared.
