Just like you, your child can experience painful tooth sensitivity. Learn more about what causes tooth sensitivity in children and how it can be treated.
Discover the Reason for Tooth Sensitivity
Before your child can be treated for tooth sensitivity, you need to know why this is happening. The cause of the tooth sensitivity will determine what type of treatment is needed to provide your child with relief from the pain.
The following is a look at six of the most common causes of tooth sensitivity in children.
Reason #1 – New Tooth Growth
When your child’s teeth are growing in it can be an extremely painful experience. The new teeth are slowly pushing up through the gums which can cause a tingling, painful sensation, but that isn’t the only pain your child experiences with new teeth. Your child will also experience tooth sensitivity.
The protective enamel on the new teeth is not strong. This means every time the new tooth comes into contact with food, hot and cold, or even air it will create a tingling, throbbing sensation that is extremely uncomfortable.
Reason #2 – Cavities
Cavities are caused by decay that is slowly eating away at the protective enamel of your child’s teeth. As the enamel wears away it causes your child to experience extreme tooth sensitivity. Sensitivity can occur when your child eats, talks, or even accidentally bumps the tooth with a cavity.
Reason #3 – Hairline Cracks
Teeth are strong but they aren’t indestructible. They can still develop tiny hairline cracks. If a crack develops your child may complain of a non-stop tingling or painful sensation that tends to get worse when pressure is placed on the tooth, such as when they are eating or grinding their teeth.
Reason #4 – Amalgam Fillings
Amalgam fillings are made using a combination of metals. Combining metals creates a stronger filling material, but it can cause tooth sensitivity. When exposed to hot and cold the metal can cause your child to experience tooth sensitivity.
Reason #5 – Sinus Congestion or Sinus Infection
Tooth sensitivity doesn’t always have to be caused by dental problems. Sometimes it can be caused by a health problem such as extreme sinus congestion or the development of a sinus infection.
Reason #6 – Gum Inflammation or Plaque Buildup
Failure to properly brush and floss, not visiting the dentist regularly, or even genetics can all cause gum inflammation and plaque buildup. If this happens the teeth can become sensitive to everything from hot and cold foods and drinks to air and sweet treats.
How is Tooth Sensitivity Treated in Children?
Pediatric dentists have a number of treatment options available for tooth sensitivity. The type of treatment that is used will depend on the cause of the sensitivity.
Some treatment options that are used include:
- Professional cleaning – this can help tooth sensitivity caused by gum inflammation, gum disease, and plaque buildup
- Fixing a cavity with a composite filling – this helps sensitivity caused by cavities
- Replacing amalgam fillings with composite fillings
- Fixing a cracked tooth either by filling it, removing it, or replacing it with a crown
- Fluoride treatment – helps strengthen your child’s teeth so they are less likely to experience painful tingling and stinging caused by sensitivity
If tooth sensitivity is caused by a sinus problem or sinus infection, your dentist may refer you to your doctor. A doctor can properly diagnosis the cause of the sinus problems and successfully treat it.
Schedule an Appointment for a Routine Dental Exam for Your Child
There is no reason why your child should have to deal with the stinging, tingling pain of tooth sensitivity as it is extremely easy to treat. If your child complains of gum sensitivity or tooth pain, schedule an appointment with a pediatric dentist. A pediatric dentist will be able to find the cause of the sensitivity and provide you with treatment recommendations.
Looking for a pediatric dentist? Call Pediatric Dentistry of Central Florida. We have two offices located in Orlando. Call today to schedule an appointment to get your child’s tooth sensitivity treated.
