Many parents struggle to get their kids to complete routine tasks, like their twice-daily dental hygiene regimen. However, brushing and flossing can help reduce plaque that causes cavities and gum disease, which can prevent many common dental emergencies.
Unfortunately, many children avoid consistent activities they consider to be a chore. Others might avoid cleanings if their teeth feel tender. Continue reading to learn more about tooth sensitivity in children to determine if this might be behind your little one’s resistance to a routine that maintains their oral health!
How Do I Know if My Child Has Sensitive Teeth?
Some kids are too young to talk much or may not be aware enough of oral health to recognize when they’re experiencing dental sensitivity. With that said, several symptoms can point to a problem, including:
- Discomfort. You might notice them flinching or expressing pain when eating, especially if they’re consuming anything overly hot or cold.
- Avoiding meals. If your child experiences aches when eating, they’re less likely to want to put certain trigger foods in their mouths.
- Fussiness during cleanings. They might be ornery or fight to avoid their daily hygiene routine if they’re overly tender.
- One-sided chewing. They might try to chew with teeth that aren’t feeling as sore, which often means biting and grinding with one side of their mouth more frequently than the other.
What Causes Sensitive Teeth in Children?
Although teeth appear to have a completely smooth surface, enamel contains pores that can expand in certain conditions. This allows sensation to travel more easily through the tubules that pass through the lower layer of dentin to the roots inside.
While poor dental hygiene can indeed contribute to sensitivity, it’s not the only cause. For example, consuming overly acidic foods or applying teeth whitening products to your enamel can cause the microscopic cylinders to expand.
How Can I Address My Child’s Tooth Sensitivity?
Fortunately, there are things you can do to ease your child’s discomfort and frustration. You can help ease their sensitivity by:
- Choosing the right products. You can purchase a soft-bristled toothbrush and desensitizing toothpaste or mouthwash to help avoid aches during cleanings.
- Providing wholesome snacks. Instead of offering packaged candy or salty snacks that attract harmful bacteria, why not offer raw fruits and veggies that can naturally scrub your child’s enamel and support their oral and overall health?
- Protecting their grin. If they participate in team sports or other high-contact physical activities, getting a mouthguard can shield their teeth from any blows or grinding that can cause tenderness.
If you’ve tried everything you can think of and your child still seems to be in pain, the next best step is to schedule an appointment with their pediatric dentist for an examination!
About the Practice
At Sprout Dentistry for Kids of Allen, your little one benefits from two experts dedicated to helping kids build and maintain happy, healthy smiles. Dr. Chan and Dr. Yoo collaborate to provide a wide array of services for children from 0 to 18 years old. They have complete advanced training and utilize state-of-the-art equipment to provide accurate treatments intended to last. Plus, they strive to make every visit fun and educational, so your child learns the value of proper dental care. You can request an appointment on the website or call (469) 663-0098.