Contact your pediatric dentist as soon as possible. To comfort your child, rinse the child’s mouth with warm salt water. Give the child age-appropriate over-the-counter acetaminophen for any pain, and be sure to follow its dosage instructions. Do not place aspirin on the teeth or gums. Do not place heat on sore area. If the face is swollen, place a cold pack on the swollen area. Finally, see a dentist as soon as possible.

Tags: tooth decay, toothache

Children should not fall asleep with a bottle. At-will nighttime breast-feeding should be avoided after the first primary (baby) teeth appear. As they approach their first birthday, encourage your child to drink from a cup. Avoid offering juice in a bottle; do use a cup or straw, and discourage slow sipping.

Tags: bottle, tooth decay, breast-feeding