If your child is complaining of pain, pinpointing the exact cause of the pain can be challenging. They may say that their mouth, throat, or even their ears hurt when they are experiencing dental pain. As such, parents may overlook dental pain as the cause of their child's problem, instead thinking they are ill. However, if the pain is not treated, the tooth, gum, or root can abscess, causing more pain and additional signs. An abscess is an infection that can spread if not treated, so treating it quickly with a children's dental care specialist is important. Here are three signs your child may be experiencing a dental abscess.

Swelling in the Face

One of the tell-tale signs of a dental abscess in a child is swelling in the face. This typically occurs in the cheek above the inflamed area, but can also occur along the jaw line. Because children have smaller faces, the swelling is typically pretty obvious. If your child has been complaining of pain somewhere in the mouth area and then you see facial swelling, particularly if the swelling is warm to the touch, your child needs to be seen by a dentist immediately.

Bad Breath

Another sign that your child may have a dental abscess is foul smelling breath. Most parents know the smell of their child's breath and they know what is normal and not normal for their child. If you go to wake your child up and their breath has a bitter or foul smell to it, in conjunction with mouth pain, there is a strong possibility that they have some sort of dental problem. This may be a cavity or gum disease, but it could also be related to a dental abscess.

Swollen or Red Gums

The last sign that your child may have a dental abscess is swollen or red gums. If your child's gums suddenly turn bright red, appear puffy or swollen, or develop a large, pimple or blister on them, your child needs to be seen by a dentist. This is a sign that a dental abscess has formed. If you notice a pimple or blister, do not attempt to pop it. It contains bacteria that can spread in the mouth. Instead, take your child to a dentist who can treat the abscess as well as the underlying cause of the abscess.

It can be hard for a parent to tell when a young child has a dental problem. That is why it is so important to take your child for dental check-ups. But even if you do, your child can develop things like dental abscesses between visits. Knowing what signs to look for can help clue you in on when something is wrong and your child needs to see a specialist like http://www.childrensdent.com.