Easing Pain Caused by Childhood Tooth Sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity can be miserable, especially for children who have weaker tooth enamel. Sensitive teeth can cause pain when chewing, speaking, or even breathing cool air. The main cause of tooth sensitivity is the wearing down of tooth enamel. This exposes the nerves underneath, causing the teeth to be sensitive.

Easing Pain Caused by Tooth Sensitivity

Luckily, there are ways to help your child with the pain associated with tooth sensitivity. If your child complains of pain in all or multiple teeth, tooth sensitivity may be the cause. Below are a few ways to ease the pain:

• Switch toothpaste – There are many brands of toothpaste formulas created for children who suffer from sensitive teeth. Make sure the toothpaste you purchase contains strontium chloride or potassium nitrate. These are the ingredients that will help to block pain signals to the nerves of the teeth.
• Change your child’s toothbrush – Your family’s toothbrushes should be changed every 4-6 months or once the bristles begin to fray, whichever comes first. Make sure you purchase soft-bristled toothbrushes or ones targeted toward those with tooth sensitivity.  
• Keep a food diary – Certain types of foods or situations may cause more discomfort for your child than others. Keep a track of your child’s sensitivity flare-ups and note which things tend to be a trigger. Once you know these triggers, you can begin to avoid them.
• Visit our office for a checkup – Lastly, please let us know if your child is suffering from sensitive teeth. There are things we can do to help ease your child’s tooth pain.

If your child is suffering from tooth sensitivity, please don’t hesitate to contact Little Smiles of Delaware. Our Delaware, Ohio pediatric dentist wants to help ease the pain associated with your child’s tooth sensitivity!