6 Common Causes of Tooth Sensitivity in Children
Tooth sensitivity is unpleasant and pretty uncomfortable which occurs as a response to hot and cold temperatures. Sensitive teeth can make your kid give up certain foods, and experience mood swings and even irritability.
Since tooth sensitivity can be caused by various factors, it’s important to know which one has provoked sensitivity in your child. By knowing the root cause of sensitive teeth, a doctor will be able to plan a proper treatment and eliminate tooth sensitivity. So, let’s look at what things can cause tooth sensitivity in children:
1. Enamel erosion
Enamel erosion can be caused by a diet rich in acidic fruit juices and sugar-laden candy. Once these foods affect the enamel, your kid’s teeth might become sensitive to cold and hot temperatures. Watch how many acidic foods and drinks your kid is eating and try to limit them if possible. Cola is one of the most common culprits of enamel erosion as it contains phosphoric acid which negatively affects tooth enamel.
2. Sinus infections
It sounds strange but sinus infections can also cause tooth sensitivity. When sinuses are swollen (due to infection), they can press down on the nerves of upper teeth leading to soreness and tenderness.
3. Growth of permanent teeth
During the growth and development of permanent teeth, your kid might feel increased tooth sensitivity. That’s because the new teeth begin to displace primary teeth and adjust in the mouth. If your kid experiences extreme discomfort, it might be due to other causes, therefore it’s important to see a pediatric dentist as soon as possible.
4. Poor oral hygiene
Poor dental hygiene always has consequences and one of them is tooth sensitivity. If your child doesn’t brush their teeth thoroughly and doesn’t brush them at all, food particles start to accumulate between teeth causing gum irritation, bad breath, tooth decay, and even infection. Teach your child to brush and floss their teeth regularly and thoroughly.
5. Cracked tooth fillings
Dental fillings are necessary for replacing areas of decay in one or more teeth. Though tooth fillings are made of composite resin and are considered durable, they don’t last forever. When the filling starts to wear, it might become loose or even crack. It can also break or fall out completely when a kid is eating something gunny, chewy, or crunchy.
Once the filling falls or breaks, it can result in tooth sensitivity to cold or hot temperature or pain when eating something hard.
6. Tooth decay and cavities
Cavities are permanently damaged areas of the teeth that usually start at the enamel’s surface and spread to other layers of the tooth. The more tooth decay spreads, the more chances it affects the tooth pulp. The tooth pulp is the soft area inside the tooth which contains living blood vessels, large nerves, and connective tissue. It’s what maintains teeth healthy and provides them with the necessary nutrients. When tooth decay gets the pulp, it can lead to sensitivity and painful sensations. In this case, your child might need a pulpectomy or root canal procedure (if they already have permanent teeth).