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Tooth sensitivity can be uncomfortable and affect kids in different ways. Having sensitive teeth could mean giving up certain foods, mood changes, and irritability in children. By understanding what causes tooth sensitivity and how to both prevent and treat it, you can help your child avoid these symptoms.

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Causes of Tooth Sensitivity in Kids

Many of the causes of tooth sensitivity in children can be traced back to poor oral hygiene. This is why it’s crucial to help your child adopt healthy dental habits as young as possible. Here are some causes of tooth sensitivity in kids and what the tooth pain: 

proper Brushing Habits

By not properly brushing, children may find that their teeth and gums are more sensitive than they should be. This often has to do with the fact that they are not removing food particles from the teeth. Hard or crunchy foods, in particular, can become lodged between your child’s teeth and can only be removed with brushing and flossing. Otherwise, the food will irritate the gums, cause bad breath and tooth decay, or even lead to infection. Starting as babies, make sure you help your kids properly brush their teeth regularly.

Cavities and Decay

Cavities are small areas of tooth decay that typically start at the enamel’s surface and then make their way into the tooth. The larger the cavity becomes, the more likely it will have an impact on the tooth’s pulp. The pulp is what houses the nerves and blood supply that are vital to keeping teeth healthy and strong. Once the decay has been able to reach this pulp, either a root canal or a pulpotomy is necessary.

When a child has a cavity that has reached this point, it’s almost always painful. However, even before the decay can reach the pulp, the tooth may become sensitive. The dental cavity weakens the structure of the tooth and can create sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures.

Enamel Erosion

Drinking too much acidic fruit juices and eating a lot of sugar-laden candy are common foods that will erode the enamel of children’s teeth. Once this happens, the teeth may become more sensitive to outside stimuli, like drinking a cold glass of water or eating ice cream.

As parents, it’s crucial to watch the volume of acidic foods and drinks your children are consuming and try to limit them if possible. One of the worst culprits for enamel erosion is cola products. Most cola products contain either phosphoric acid or citric acid, both of which contribute to enamel erosion. You should also follow your dentist’s recommendations when it comes to your child’s dental cleaning habits and fluoride treatments in the office.

Sinus Infections

Believe it or not, a simple sinus infection can cause your child’s teeth to feel sensitive and tender. This is due to the sinuses pressing down on the upper teeth, affecting both the nerves and causing the mouth to feel tender and sore. Treating sinus infections quickly is the best way for your child to avoid sensitivity due to this particular problem.

Loose or Cracked Fillings

Tooth fillings are designed to replace areas of decay in one or more teeth. Although fillings made of composite resin are quite durable, they don’t always last forever. As the filling begins to wear, it may crack or become loose. It’s also common for a filling to break or fall out completely when a child is eating something crunchy, chewy, or gummy.

When a filling breaks, it can cause sensitivity either when your child drinks something hot or cold or bites down into a hard piece of food. Cracked or loose fillings can also be painful if the tooth’s nerve becomes exposed, and your child may avoid biting down on the side where it hurts.

Development of Permanent Teeth

As the baby teeth fall out and the permanent teeth come in, you’ll find that your child experiences increased sensitivity in the mouth. This is simply due to the new teeth displacing the baby teeth and having to adjust in the mouth. As the permanent tooth pushes the baby tooth out of the gums, your child will often favor the other side of the mouth until the baby tooth has completely separated. If your child complains of extreme discomfort, it could be something other than permanent teeth growing in, and you should consult your dentist right away.

 

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Treatments Available for Sensitive Teeth

 

Unfortunately, certain causes of tooth sensitivity cannot be prevented, but they can be treated to improve your child’s quality of life.

Improve Your Child’s Oral Hygiene

When it comes to preventing and treating sensitive teeth, it’s all about taking a proactive approach to your child’s dental health. Encourage your children to brush their teeth regularly and make it part of their daily routine. It’s also a good idea to monitor your children while they brush to make sure they are using the best techniques.

Use Products Designed for Sensitive Teeth

There is a multitude of high-quality toothpaste and toothbrushes made specifically for sensitive teeth available on the market. Toothpaste for sensitivity works by desensitizing the nerve within the tooth, so sensations from the tooth’s surface do not reach the nerve. You should also take care when choosing a toothbrush for your child’s sensitive teeth and ask your dentist for recommendations.

Fluoride Treatments

Fluoride is another option, and these treatments involve applying a clear liquid varnish to the teeth in the dentist’s office. Fluoride helps to strengthen and protect teeth, so you’ll find that your child has fewer issues with sensitivity than before. If your child has not seen a dentist for a while or has not gotten a fluoride treatment before, it’s time to be your child’s advocate and make an appointment.

Teeth sensitivity is a common dental issue for children that can be very uncomfortable. It can also be a warning sign to parents that other dental problems are present. By seeking treatments quickly and helping your kids stick to a healthy dental routine, you’ll find that they are happier and more able to enjoy the foods and drinks that they love. If you have additional questions about your child’s oral health, be sure to talk to their dentist or hygienist for further suggestions.

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At what age should a child visit a dentist for the first time?

You should take your child for a first visit to the dentist by age 1 or within six months after the first appearance of a tooth. It is generally recommended that an infant be seen by a dentist by between age of 1 year to 6 months after his or her first tooth comes in.

first dental visit

The first dental visit is usually short and involves very little treatment. This visit gives your child an opportunity to meet the dentist in a non-threatening and friendly way. Some dentists may ask the parent to sit in the dental chair and hold their child during the test. The parent may also be asked to wait in the reception area during part of the visit so that a relationship can be built between your child and the dentist.

During the test, the dentist will check all of your child’s existing teeth for decay, examine your child’s bite, and look for any potential problems with the gums, jaw and oral tissues. If indicated, the dentist will clean any teeth and assess the need for fluoride. parents will also educate  about oral health care basics for children and discuss dental developmental issues and answer any questions.

Topics your dentist may discuss with you might include:

• Good oral hygiene practices for your child’s teeth and gums.
• Cavity prevention.
• Fluoride needs.
• Oral habits (thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, lip sucking).
• Developmental milestones.
• Teething.
• Proper nutrition.
• Schedule of dental checkup visits. Many dentists like to see children every 6 months to build up the child’s comfort and confidence level in visiting the dentist, to monitor the development of the teeth, and to promptly treat any developing problems.

It’s important to know that the parent or legal guardian who accompanies the child for this first visit will be asked to complete medical and health information forms concerning the child. Come prepared with the necessary information.

Difference between a Pediatric Dentist and a Regular Dentist

A pediatric dentist has at least two additional years of training beyond dental school. The additional training focuses on management and treatment of a child’s developing teeth, child behavior, physical growth and development, and the special needs of children’s dentistry. Although either type of dentist is capable of addressing your child’s oral health care needs, a pediatric dentist, staff, and even the office décor are all geared to care for children and to put them at ease. If your child has special needs, care from a pediatric dentist , so parent should be considered. Ask your dentist or your child’s physician what recommends for your child.

When should children get their first dental X-ray

There is no hard and fast rule for when to start getting dental X-rays. Some children who may be at higher risk for dental problems (for example, those prone to baby bottle tooth decay or those with cleft lip/palate) should have X-rays taken earlier than others. Usually, most children will have had X-rays taken by the age of 5 or 6. As children begin to get their adult teeth (at about the age of 6), X-rays play an important role in helping your dentist see clarity of  situation, if all of the adult teeth are growing in the jaw, to look for bite problems, and to determine if teeth are clean and healthy.

Babies and children are not immune to oral health problems. dental caries (tooth decay or cavities) is the most chronic childhood ailment – five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than allergies rhinitis.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that tooth decay is the most chronic disease among children aged five to 17. Oral health problems affecting infants are no less serious.

 

Diet and the Oral Health Implications

What your children eat affects their teeth. Sugars (found in cake, cookies, candy, milk and juice) and starches (found in chinses noodles  and potato chips) can cause tooth decay.  the fact that it is more difficult to clean babies’ and children’s teeth and you can see why debris tends to remain in children’s teeth, resulting in bacteria growth and, ultimately, tooth decay.

Although baby teeth like deciduous or primary teeth are eventually replaced with permanent teeth, healthy baby teeth are fundamental to a child’s overall health and development.

Baby-to-Child Dental Checklist

Some babies are born with neonatal teeth (teeth that develop in the first month) that require dental hygiene or a visit to the dentist for their removal. At least one baby tooth erupts by six months of age. And, yes, it requires cleaning.

From six months to 24 months, children begin teething in earnest, indicated by irritability, biting on objects, drooling and ear pulling. As a parent, you can help teething progress by using strategies such as massaging your child’s gums, offering a chilled teething ring or cold, wet washcloth and asking your dentist for a teething ointment recommendation.

By three years of age, most of not all baby teeth have erupted. Soon after four years, spaces for permanent teeth begin to appear as the jaw, supporting bone structure and facial bones begin to grow.

From six to 12, it is typical for your child to have both baby teeth and permanent teeth in their mouth.

Oral Health Care Necessities for Children & Infants

Here’s a list of dental care necessities from birth on up:

Baby Teeth Cleaning

Baby teeth should be cleaned as soon as they erupt. Clean your baby’s teeth with a soft washcloth  after every bottle or meal. When more than one tooth erupts, you can soak a small-bristled child-sized (age-appropriate) toothbrush in warm water before using it on your baby’s teeth, as instructed by your dentist. Baby teeth should be brushed using a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Use water without fluoride until approximately six months of age. Encourage your children to brush their own teeth once they have the coordination to do so. Replace toothbrushes every two to three months. Children’s teeth should be brushed after they are given medicine. Acids contained in medicines may eat away at tooth enamel, which serves as a natural protective coating for the teeth.

First Dental Visit

It is important that your child see a dentist by age one to establish a long-term dental hygiene and professional dental cleaning plan.

Dental Sealant Application

Dental sealants are used to protect teeth from decay and are appropriate as soon as a tooth erupts.

Fluoride Treatments

Check with your dentist and water authority about the need for fluoride treatments. Fluoride is a major component in the prevention of childhood dental caries. This is because fluoride alters the molecular structure of the tooth, making it more resistant to acid attack and decay. However, children require the right amount of fluoride treatment. Too much fluoride could be problematic and lead to fluorosis.

Dental Flossing

Parent-assisted dental flossing should commence when two teeth erupt next to each other. Independent flossing should occur when children have the ability to do it on their own.

Mouth Washing

Mouth washing is usually recommended by age seven, provided your child can perform the activity.

Orthodontics

Orthodontics may be appropriate by seven years of age. you should follow your dentist’s recommendations.