You may have seen ads for toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth, that stinging feeling you may have experienced when biting into something hot or cold. These products work extremely well at alleviating sensitivity that may be associated with thinning enamel.
However, you may have noticed that just about all of these commercials are aimed at adults—if your child starts to complain of sensitive teeth, you might not necessarily know what to do. If you’re wondering why that may be and what you can do for them, here’s some information you might find helpful.
Can Children Develop Sensitive Teeth?
The “sensitive teeth” that most people talk about, and that they make toothpaste to counter, are due to a thinning of the surface enamel exposing the nerve tissue within the tooth. As a general rule, this is incredibly rare to happen to children. That means that if your child is dealing with sensitive teeth, it may be due to something else.
So What Could Cause This Feeling?
Sensitivity is caused by the nerve tissue within the tooth becoming exposed. If that isn’t happening due to a thinning of the enamel, it’s possible that there’s another issue that is causing the same sort of thing.
Cavities are one of the most common reasons that this can happen. It’s also possible that your child has chipped or cracked a tooth without realizing it and is just now starting to feel its effects. This is more likely if your child grinds their teeth at night.
What Should We Do?
If your child’s teeth are sensitive, it’s likely due to something more on the serious side. You should call their dentist and describe what it is that they’re feeling—depending on how much pain they’re experiencing, what they’re dealing with could constitute a dental emergency and warrant immediate attention.
About Our Practice
At Glen Ellyn Pediatric Dentistry, we know that not every child is the biggest fan of the dentist’s office. That’s why we pride ourselves on our ability to show children how great dentistry can be! We’ve been helping children across our community smile for over 25 years, and if you’re looking for someone to help your family with their oral health, we’re happy to welcome you!
If you have any questions about sensitive teeth, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (630) 858-8755.