Tips to Help Your Child Deal With Their Sensitive Teeth
Implementing regular teeth brushing in your child’s daily routine is hard enough under the best of circumstances. For some children, two minutes of a menial activity can seem like an eternity, so getting them to continue with dental hygiene can present challenges along the way. However, you can’t always chalk it up to the normal fussiness that is making your child unwilling to brush their teeth–they may be experiencing tooth sensitivity, making dental hygiene all the more painful than it has to be.
In this article, we will take a closer look at how you can tell if your child is suffering from this issue and what their pediatric dentist can do about it.
What is Tooth Sensitivity?
You’ve likely heard tooth sensitivity is a direct result of eroded enamel and causes twinges of pain when eating something cold or hot. This style of sensitivity is rare in small children–most won’t begin to experience it until their mid-to-late twenties. There are, however, reasons children begin to experience sensitivity in their teeth. Tooth decay is a direct result of sensitivity, but cracked and chipped teeth can result in discomfort as well, which is why it is important to get looked at during an exam.
Does Your Child Deal with Sensitive Teeth?
An unwillingness to brush their teeth isn’t always a sign a child is dealing with tooth sensitivity. Children can be impatient, and some might not love the taste of their toothpaste or the feeling of a toothbrush. This can be true if your child has autism or if they are easily overstimulated. If your child is dealing with tooth sensitivity, they will most likely experience discomfort anytime they try something too hot or too cold. On top of being unwilling to brush their teeth, any visual signs of tooth decay or cracks are signs your child is dealing with tooth sensitivity.
How to Treat Tooth Sensitivity for My Child
Good Oral Hygiene Practices: Maintaining proper oral hygiene in your child’s routine will help reduce sensitivity in their teeth. Brushing twice daily and flossing will keep the gums and teeth clean and reduce the risk of developing cavities or gum disease. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush and teaching gentle brushing techniques can reduce the chance of irritation caused by brushing too hard.
Toothpaste for Tooth Sensitivity: Make sure to speak with your child’s pediatric dentist before allowing a child under the age of 12 to use toothpaste to help treat sensitive teeth.
Restorative Treatments: Damage present to your child’s teeth, including cracks, cavities, or chips, is a clear sign that they will need restorative treatment, including dental fillings or crowns. If silver fillings cause sensitivity, replacing your child’s restorations with a composite resin filling is a better alternative.
Fluoride to Strengthen Teeth: If cavities are the cause of your child’s tooth sensitivity, in-office fluoride treatment can help. Fluoride will strengthen the enamel of the tooth, lowering the risks of extensive tooth decay.
Bottom Line
Your pediatric dentist will help you to further learn about tooth sensitivity in children, helping you to alleviate your child’s discomfort and allowing for a healthy, happy smile. If you have further questions, your local Montana pediatric dentist team can help. Trust the professionals at Lolo Dentistry, expert Missoula dentists, to help you keep your child’s teeth healthy. There are three dental offices to serve you in Lolo, Frenchtown, and Superior for Mineral County, Montana, call us at 406-284-8669 for more information on procedures, dentistry, reviews, and more today! We are one of the only children’s dentists in Montana that accepts Medicaid.