Ouch! How To Tell If Your Teen Might Be Hiding A Toothache

Teenagers can be secretive by nature, but if you think your teen might be hiding a dental issue, it is important to pinpoint this as fast as you can. If your teen is scared of the dentist, you should be in top of their visits and stay in control of their dental needs. Looking for signs of dental trouble might seem impossible, but there are a few things that you can look for. Here are three symptoms that might mean your teenager is hiding a toothache from you.

1. Change in Habits

Sometimes a change in activity levels, sleeplessness, or complaining of headaches or migraines might actually be an undiagnosed dental problem. Your child may be avoiding coming to you out of anxiety or because they haven't pinpointed the pain to their teeth and gums. You might want to sit down with your child and go over all of their symptoms together. If there is a chance that the pain is dental related, you can get them in for an emergency examination ASAP.

2. Changes in Eating and Drinking

If your teen isn't eating hard foods or is showing sensitivity to hot and cold foods and beverages, these can be telltale signs of a dental problem. If your child has recently had fillings or other dental work, the dentist may need to look over the fillings. While teenagers can be finicky about their eating habits in general, if you notice they are actively avoiding specific foods that they used to enjoy, there might be something dental-related going on.

3. Evidence of Pain Relievers and Numbing Agents

If your child has a past with painful dental work, they might be scared to go back. If your teen insists they don't have tooth pain but you find telltale signs such as an increase in use of pain medications or numbing aids, you cannot let your child continue in pain. Ask them if seeing a new dentist would help, or discuss alternative pain management techniques that are available at the dentist's office now that your child is older.

If you suspect your child is having dental pain, ask them about this upfront. Even if they insist everything is fine, you may want to book an appointment for your child to have a check up. While your teen might be apprehensive, it is your job as the parent to get them the care that they need. Toothaches can turn into medical complications rapidly, so being the bad guy might be your only option when it comes to your teen and their dental health. Schedule an appointment with a dentist like Michael G Landy DDS.