“Why does my child's mouth hurt?”
My son is 10 years old and he has mouth pain. What could be the cause?
3 Answers
Hello,
In regards to your question, “Why does my child's mouth hurt?
My son is 10 years old and he has mouth pain.” Most doctors would seek more specificity about the pain directly from the child at this age and with the physical exam. Although mouth pain may seem like a clear complaint, the mouth contains many structures if you think about it. The 10-year-old should be able to clarify where about the mouth he/she feels pain or minimally point to the painful area. Doctors would wonder if mouth pain means the tongue, the lips, the cheeks, the teeth, the rood of the mouth, the tonsils, the throat, etc. Doctors would also ask the child if the pain was changed or made worse with swallowing, chewing, etc. Doctors would also want to know what kind of pain the child experienced burning, throbbing, knife-like, etc. Also, how long the pain has been going on, whether it’s persistent or intermittent or changing in intensity, as well as if the child has experienced this pain before. Has there been an injury to the mouth? Doctors would also inquire about the general wellness of the child and other clues to illness, e.g., fever, cold or GI symptoms, appetite change, etc.
Next would come a physical exam including the mouth structures, but not limited to the mouth. Are sores or ulcers present? What is the status of dental hygiene? Could “mouth pain” be dental pain? Is there gingivitis (gum disease)? Is there evidence of an oral injury, perhaps a popsicle stick bruise within the mouth? So, as you can see, there is no simple answer to why is your child’s mouth hurting without more clues and a physical exam. There is a cause for your child’s mouth hurting, but without more information and a look-see, I would be only guessing. It could be as simple as mouth pain from too strenuous tooth brushing or too vigorous dental flossing.
Please think about these questions as you work with your son to better understand the mouth pain. If the cause is not obvious after working through these possibilities with your child, pay a visit to the doctor or dentist for a professional opinion.
Best of luck,
Dr. T
In regards to your question, “Why does my child's mouth hurt?
My son is 10 years old and he has mouth pain.” Most doctors would seek more specificity about the pain directly from the child at this age and with the physical exam. Although mouth pain may seem like a clear complaint, the mouth contains many structures if you think about it. The 10-year-old should be able to clarify where about the mouth he/she feels pain or minimally point to the painful area. Doctors would wonder if mouth pain means the tongue, the lips, the cheeks, the teeth, the rood of the mouth, the tonsils, the throat, etc. Doctors would also ask the child if the pain was changed or made worse with swallowing, chewing, etc. Doctors would also want to know what kind of pain the child experienced burning, throbbing, knife-like, etc. Also, how long the pain has been going on, whether it’s persistent or intermittent or changing in intensity, as well as if the child has experienced this pain before. Has there been an injury to the mouth? Doctors would also inquire about the general wellness of the child and other clues to illness, e.g., fever, cold or GI symptoms, appetite change, etc.
Next would come a physical exam including the mouth structures, but not limited to the mouth. Are sores or ulcers present? What is the status of dental hygiene? Could “mouth pain” be dental pain? Is there gingivitis (gum disease)? Is there evidence of an oral injury, perhaps a popsicle stick bruise within the mouth? So, as you can see, there is no simple answer to why is your child’s mouth hurting without more clues and a physical exam. There is a cause for your child’s mouth hurting, but without more information and a look-see, I would be only guessing. It could be as simple as mouth pain from too strenuous tooth brushing or too vigorous dental flossing.
Please think about these questions as you work with your son to better understand the mouth pain. If the cause is not obvious after working through these possibilities with your child, pay a visit to the doctor or dentist for a professional opinion.
Best of luck,
Dr. T
There are multiple causes of mouth pain. If he has fever, he should be seen asap for a possible throat infection caused by the germ streptococcus. If there is no fever, please see your doctor as soon as you have time to see why he has pain. Pain in the mouth can be from a throat infection, infected tooth, sores in the mouth, etc.
Dr. K
Dr. K
It could be any number of causes. Where is it? A specific point on the tongue, gums, teeth, soft palate, inside of cheeks, corner of lips/mouth? Are there any areas of deeper redness on the gums or actual lesions? Whitish areas inside the mouth could be thrush, a yeast infection. Without more specifics, hard to say. He should be seen.
