Top Factors That Cause Teeth Sensitivity in Children

Everyone is susceptible to tooth sensitivity, even children. When kids experience tooth sensitivity, they might undergo a change in their eating patterns due to the tenderness and pain they feel while consuming certain foods. Tooth sensitivity in children is easily preventable and treatable. By consulting the best dentist in Dallas, you can alleviate your child’s pain and discomfort easily. 

If your child is showing up signs of pain or discomfort while eating, it is crucial to understand the underlying factors. What is causing tooth sensitivity in kids? How can you bring relief to the overall pain? Expert dentists in Dallas can help you out.

What is Tooth Sensitivity?

Tooth sensitivity occurs when there is pain or discomfort while eating certain foods like ice cream, nibbling on your favorite sweets, or drinking hot or cold beverages. It takes place when the dentin – the spongy tissue inside the tooth – becomes exposed to stimulation. 

Dentin is filled with tiny tubules – leading all the way to the center of the tooth or the pulp. When the enamel covering these tubules gets removed, the tubules eventually become sensitive to stimuli. Consuming hot or cold foods and brushing your teeth can trigger tubules while resulting in more pain and discomfort. Enamel can get worn out due to several reasons, including a cavity, a chipped tooth, gum disease, or even worn-out tooth filling.

What are the Reasons for Tooth Sensitivity in Children?

Anyone can experience tooth sensitivity. However, it tends to be more common in adults between 20 and 40 years. Children can also experience tooth sensitivity. If there is a new tooth coming in or they have cracked a tooth, the dentin might get exposed, leading to tooth sensitivity. 

Some more reasons to consider are:

1. Poor Brushing Techniques and Habits

As soon as your kid starts showing up, it is crucial to establish a proper brushing and cleaning routine. When your kids brush their teeth, it protects both their gums and teeth. Therefore, it is crucial to teach your young ones the right technique to brush their teeth. 

When they brush too softly, the enamel will not be clean enough. On the other hand, when too much pressure is applied, it could destroy the enamel due to excess friction. The friction might also damage the delicate gums. This tends to expose the sensitive parts of the tooth, increasing sensitivity. 

You should ensure that your little one has a habit of brushing teeth at least twice a day. The best technique to brush is to use gentle pressure in a rotating manner with a relatively soft toothbrush. It is important to teach them the right technique to avoid future problems.

2. Cavities and Decay

Tooth cavities and decay can make your kid’s teeth sensitive. Cavities are small areas of tooth decay on the surface of the tooth. With time, these areas tend to grow and deepen, making their way into the teeth. Eventually, the gradual process exposes the delicate pulp. Even before the cavity might reach the pulp, tooth decay will eventually weaken the enamel. This will result in sensitivity to certain triggers like hot or cold temperatures.

3. Fillings

Fillings are used to stop tooth sensitivity and pain. They are known to replace areas where tooth decay might have eroded the enamel. While dental fillings are made of sturdy materials, they still do not last forever. Over time, fillings tend to crack or become loose. This reveals the delicate inner tooth. Fillings can come loose or get damaged when children consume something crunchy or gummy. 

4. Enamel Erosion

Many beverages and foods can erode or damage the surface of the enamel of your teeth. For instance, sugary drinks and acidic fruit juices can easily wear out the enamel’s surface. Clenching jaws and grinding teeth at night can also erode the enamel. Once the enamel gets damaged or removed, it will leave your dentin sensitive, and the pulp becomes vulnerable to environmental stimuli.

5. Development of Adult Teeth

There is a chance that your child might be experiencing tooth pain and sensitivity due to the development of adult teeth. As the new teeth force out the baby tooth, kids start favoring one side of the mouth over the other when it comes to chewing food. If pain and discomfort continue even when the permanent teeth might have come in, you can consult the best dentist in Dallas to understand the situation better.

6. Sinus Infections

While this comes as a surprise, still sinus infections are capable of making your child’s teeth tender and sensitive. Inflammation and fluid buildup create pressure in the sinuses. The sinuses tend to sit just above the topmost row of teeth. The fluid buildup can squeeze the nerves in the topmost row, sending pain and discomfort throughout the mouth.

How can You Know If Your Child has Sensitive Teeth?

Your kids will eventually tell you if they are experiencing pain or discomfort in their teeth. There are some symptoms to look out for when experiencing sensitive teeth. They are quite easy to spot as well. Children can start complaining about stinging, tingling, or pain in their teeth while consuming certain foods or having beverages.

Observe carefully when your kids are eating something. Are they using only one side of their mouth to chew the food? Do they look in pain or discomfort while eating chips or ice cream? What about when they are flossing or brushing their teeth? All of these can be tell-tale signs of tooth sensitivity in children. 

Conclusion 

Understanding the underlying causes of tooth sensitivity in children is crucial for addressing the issue effectively. By recognizing factors like tooth decay, enamel erosion, gum recession, and tooth grinding, parents can take preventative measures and seek timely dental care from smile cloud family dental. 

Regular dental check-ups, proper brushing and flossing techniques, and a balanced diet can significantly reduce the risk of 1 tooth sensitivity. If your child is experiencing tooth sensitivity, consult a pediatric dentist to receive a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan.