My 8 yr old swims 5x's week, for average 1 1/2 hrs a time. Recently he's been getting out of the pool complaining of really sore back teeth - so much so he's not eating for a few hours after until they settle down. Any ideas what's causing this? What can I do about it more importantly?
Hi, I'd take your son to his primary care doctor/ nurse practitioner. He could have referred pain from eustachian tube dysfunction that gets "jazzed up" when he gets in the water after he swims awhile. It could be caused by allergy, infection, or "mechanical" issues with the pressure in the middle ear (like when a person's ears hurts on a plane). He might do well with an antihistamine, decongestant, or antibiotic if he has an infection. If his primary doctor can't solve the trouble, consider seeing an ENT doctor. And I agree also, double check with the dentist that he carefully checked his bite (not only for tooth decay or infection). Sorry for the long answer, but I love swimming, and I hate tooth pain and ear aches, and I feel for your son. (I retired from practicing pediatrics.) Good luck.
Hi, I'd take your son to his primary care doctor/ nurse practitioner. He could have referred pain from eustachian tube dysfunction that gets "jazzed up" when he gets in the water after he swims awhile. It could be caused by allergy, infection, or "mechanical" issues with the pressure in the middle ear (like when a person's ears hurts on a plane). He might do well with an antihistamine, decongestant, or antibiotic if he has an infection. If his primary doctor can't solve the trouble, consider seeing an ENT doctor. And I agree also, double check with the dentist that he carefully checked his bite (not only for tooth decay or infection). Sorry for the long answer, but I love swimming, and I hate tooth pain and ear aches, and I feel for your son. (I retired from practicing pediatrics.) Good luck.
