What you should do for tooth sensitivity
Tooth sensitivity occurs when your child experiences a tingling or painful sensation when eating cold or hot foods or when they brush their teeth. Teeth become sensitive when the dentin (the porous tissue situated under a tooth’s enamel) is exposed. Dentin has small channels called tubules that function as nerve pathways. This allows your child’s tooth nerves to cause sensitivity when the tooth is exposed to stimuli.
Examine your child’s mouth to see if there’s an obvious cause for their tooth sensitivity, like a chipped or cracked tooth. Tooth decay can also cause tooth sensitivity. These issues require prompt dental care to prevent infection and long-term damage to your child’s tooth. If there’s no obvious cause for their sensitive tooth, schedule a dentist appointment and make sure that they’re using proper brushing and flossing techniques. Brushing the teeth too hard can damage their enamel and expose the underlying dentin. Erupting permanent teeth may also contribute to tooth sensitivity. Depending on your child’s age, you can have them switch to a toothpaste that’s designed to repair the enamel of sensitive teeth.
When to seek dental care for tooth sensitivity
Tooth sensitivity is rarely a dental emergency. Unless your child’s tooth sensitivity is accompanied by other symptoms, like swollen or bleeding gums, severe tooth pain, a dental abscess, or obvious damage to the tooth, you don’t need to seek emergency dental care. Instead, call us and schedule an appointment so we can explore the reason for your child’s tooth sensitivity.
When in doubt, call 911 immediately
In a pediatric emergency, it's essential to act quickly and seek medical help immediately. When faced with a situation where a child's health or life may be at risk, it's better to err on the side of caution and call 911 right away. Delaying treatment can worsen the condition and make it more difficult to save the child.
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Tooth sensitivity occurs when your child experiences a tingling or painful sensation when eating cold or hot foods or when they brush their teeth.
