Can Children Experience Tooth Sensitivity?
Children, like adults, can develop dental sensitivity which appears as an unpleasant stinging, tingling or painful sensation after having hot/cold foods or brushing their teeth. Having sensitive teeth could mean giving up certain foods, mood swings, and irritability in children. Understanding what causes tooth sensitivity can help avoid disease and ensure that children’s teeth are healthy.
Why teeth get sensitive?
Tooth sensitivity or dentin hypersensitivity occurs when the underlying layer of your teeth (dentin) becomes exposed due to various reasons. It can be a temporary or chronic problem that affects one tooth, multiple teeth or the entire set of a child’s teeth. It can have several causes, but the majority can be cured by altering your oral hygiene routine.
Symptoms of sensitive teeth
- Sensitivity to temperature variations.
- Pain or discomfort from cold foods and drinks.
- Unpleasant reactions to hot foods and drinks.
- Pain during brushing or flossing.
- Sensitivity to acidic and sweet foods and drinks
Causes of teeth sensitivity
- Improper tooth brushing habits
Teach them to brush their teeth properly. If your child brushes their teeth too hard, it can cause enamel and gum wear and tear, making their teeth more sensitive to heat and cold. To avoid this problem, teach your children how much pressure to apply when brushing their teeth with a soft toothbrush. Patient should also avoid the use of abrasive tooth pastes.
- Cavities an and decay
Improper brushing results in tooth decay, causing sensitivity and discomfort in the teeth. To prevent this cause of tooth sensitivity, make sure your children brush their teeth at least twice a day.
- Sinuses
Your child may feel tooth sensitivity in the upper portion of the mouth if they are at risk for sinus problems. As sinus pressure builds, it can cause your child to feel pain as though the mouth is infected too.
- Teeth Grinding
When your child bites on hard objects, excessive tooth grinding can produce hairline cracks in the teeth, causing dental pain. Misaligned teeth can also contribute to these hairline cracks.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Consult your dentist if you’re having symptoms on your teeth. A clinical examination directly related to sensitivity will be performed by the dentist to find out the causes of sensitivity such as cavities, loose fillings, and gum disease and to provide quality treatments. It is recommended that follow up visits should be organized for all the patients after undergoing periodic treatments.