My son who is 5 has complained of toothache for a few days. his cheek is swollen and his ear was red yesterday. cheeks are also red. maybe an abscess? or ear infection? we cannot see any tooth cavities. been giving him panado for 48 hours.

Toothache: Toothache accompanied by swelling is usually indicative of infection. Does he have a fever? Carious lesions are not always visible to the untrained eye... often they are between the teeth. Teething? Possibly. At 5 years old he should have been to the dentist many times for checkups. Please take him to a dentist to be evaluated.

Toothache: Most common cause of toothache/swelling/redness is infection. If a cavity gets large enough to see by simply looking at the teeth, it's very large, probably very deep, and should have been treated at regular 6 month recur appointment. All children should see Dentist no later than 1st b'day, and every 6 months after that. Also, pain killer will not cure an infection. Please see Dentist immediately