Tooth sensitivity is a painful dental issue that happens when the inner layer of the tooth, also known as dentine, gets exposed. This dental issue can occur as a result of receding gums. The pain can be so excruciating for adults and much worse for kids. Below are the causes of teeth sensitivity in kids and how to fight them off for your kids to possess healthy teeth.
What Is Teeth Sensitivity?
Teeth sensitivity occasionally happens when the underlying layer of your teeth, popularly known as dentin, becomes vulnerable. This dental health issue can occur due to erosion, otherwise known as wear and tear and gum recession, and this normally happens when your gum tissue draws away from your teeth, making the roots vulnerable.
Teeth roots not protected by hard enamel contain thousands of tiny tubules leading to your tooth’s center, otherwise known as the pulp. These dentinal tubules enable stimuli such as hot, cold or sweet food to get to the nerve in your tooth, which causes the pain you experience. Dental sensitivity can also signify other dental issues like cavities, gum disease or a cracked tooth.
Causes Of Tooth Sensitivity in Children
The emergence Of the Permanent Teeth: The moment your child loses baby teeth and grows permanent ones, your child begins to experience tooth pain and sensitivity. Hot, cold, and air can all cause painful impacts.
Tooth Damage: A broken or cracked tooth with vulnerable dentin can result in sensitivity. Broken teeth and cracks mostly happen because of trauma, munching on hard foods, or nighttime grinding, a dental issue known as bruxism.
Improper Tooth Brushing Techniques: Brushing too hard mostly causes tooth enamel and gum erosion, which can cause your child’s teeth to be more sensitive to hot and cold liquid substances.
Tooth Decay and Cavities: Tooth decay and cavities can lead to tooth sensitivity and discomfort and will require urgent correction to stop the issue from worsening.
Sinus Problems: Sinus problems commonly result in tooth sensitivity close to the top of the mouth. As the sinus pressure grows, it can lead to pain equivalent to an infected tooth.
Silver Fillings: Silver tooth fillings most times lead to tooth sensitivity. This kind of restoration is very sensitive to changes in temperature. It may also lead to the expansion of the teeth and contract quickly, increasing the pressure on the tooth nerve and potentially causing hairline cracks, which can lead to tooth sensitivity.
Recommended Treatment for Tooth Sensitivity in Children by Experts
Proper Oral Hygiene Practices: Proper oral care processes can assist in eliminating tooth sensitivity. Brushing your teeth gently two times a day and flossing daily will cause the teeth and gums to be clean and reduce the risk of getting cavities or gum disease. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush and teaching gentle brushing techniques will also lower the probability of tooth sensitivity caused by hard brushing.
Therapeutic Treatments: Most dental deformations in your child’s teeth, including cracks, broken teeth, or cavities, may require restorative dentistry treatments, including dental fillings or crowns. If silver fillings result in teeth sensitivity, replacing your child’s restorations with composite resin fillings will be okay.
Fluoride To Strengthen Teeth: If cavities cause your child’s tooth sensitivity, in-office fluoride treatment is recommended. Fluoride protects and guides the tooth enamel, reducing the risks of quick spreading tooth decay.
How Are Sensitive Teeth Diagnosed?
By any chance, this is your child’s first-time experiencing tooth sensitivity, book a meeting with your dentist. They will examine the health of your child’s teeth and search for possible issues such as cavities, loose fillings, or recessed gums which might be the cause of the sensitivity.
Your dentist can carry out this procedure during your child’s routine dental cleaning. They will clean your child’s teeth and conduct a visual exam. They may have a feel of your teeth, using dental equipment to search for sensitivity, and they might also suggest an X-ray on your child’s teeth to prevent dental health issues such as cavities.
What’s The Outlook for Tooth Sensitivity
If your child is finding it difficult to eat due to teeth sensitivity, discuss with your dentist about looking for a solution. Many kinds of toothpaste and mouthwashes for sensitive teeth are available over the counter.
And if any of these products are ineffective, talk to your dentist about prescription toothpaste and mouthwash. You should also make an appointment with your dentist if your child experiences signs of cavities or possible root damage so your child can get treatment immediately and stop further issues from occurring. These symptoms may consist of:
- Spontaneous tooth pain that occurs without any clear reason
- Excruciating pain instead of milder pain
- Staining on the surface of your teeth
- Excruciating pain when biting down or chewing on food.
Tooth Sensitivity is not a dental issue that you can hope will vanish with time because if not properly taken care of, it can result in something worse. Carry out the guidelines stated above to fight off tooth sensitivity in your kids’ mouths, and make sure to book an appointment with your pediatric dentist today!
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