Are Your Child’s Sensitive Teeth a Dental Emergency?

Has your child been complaining about painful sensitivity in their teeth? Are they having a difficult time enjoying foods or drinks that are hot or cold? Tooth sensitivity is a very common problem for both children and adults that can get in the way of day-to-day life. More than that however, sensitive teeth can sometimes be a warning sign of a dental emergency! So how can you tell what kind of care your child needs to restore their smile? Here are some of the most common causes of tooth sensitivity in children and how they need to be treated.

Non-Urgent Causes & Treatments for Tooth Sensitivity

While any and all dental pain should be brought to your pediatric dentist’s attention in a timely manner, most cases of tooth sensitivity are not any cause for alarm. Your child’s teeth may be sensitive from:

• Cavities: Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease in children, and also the most common cause of tooth sensitivity. As a cavity forms, it burns through the protective shell of enamel on your child’s teeth and exposes the sensitive layers underneath.
• Worn fillings or enamel: Another way the tender inner layers of your child’s teeth may be exposed is via a worn-down filling or enamel erosion, which can be caused by an acidic diet.
• Incoming teeth: When teeth first erupt from the gumline, it’s natural for them to feel extra sensitive to pressure and temperatures.

To address non-urgent tooth sensitivity, your pediatric dentist may replace a worn filling, treat a cavity with a filling, or encourage better oral hygiene habits at home. They’ll likely also recommend a fluoride treatment to help strengthen your child’s teeth and protect them from decay.

Types of Tooth Sensitivity That Need Emergency Care

Sometimes, tooth sensitivity is a warning sign of an issue that needs immediate attention, such as:

• Cracked or broken tooth: Teeth can’t heal themselves, so even a small hairline crack has the potential to become much worse if left untreated.
• Gum disease: This common bacterial infection can cause tender, puffy gums and sometimes even gum recession. It’s essential to treat gum disease right away to prevent serious complications in the future.
• Tooth infection/dental abscess: Lingering sensitivity to hot, cold, spicy, or sweet foods could indicate an infected tooth. Also known as dental abscesses, this oral health problem needs to be delt with right away in both permanent teeth and baby teeth.

Emergency treatment for tooth sensitivity will depend heavily on its cause. For example, broken teeth may be repaired with dental bonding or a crown, while gum disease may require a deep cleaning or specialized toothpastes and mouthwashes. If your child has a dental abscess, they may need antibiotics or a root canal to get their oral health back on track.

It can be difficult to tell if your child needs urgent dental care for tooth sensitivity or not, so don’t hesitate to call your pediatric dentist in either case. They’ll give you personalized first-aid advice over the phone to ease your child’s discomfort until you can reach them for an appointment.

About the Practice

The talented team of New England Kids Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics is committed to keeping the growing smiles of Auburn and the surrounding communities happy and healthy. With their specialized training and comprehensive menu of services, they are well-equipped to address all the unique oral healthcare needs children face in a fun and educational way. In the event of a dental emergency, they will go above and beyond to see you as quickly as possible so your little one can get back to enjoying their precious smile. To learn more, they can be contacted online or at (508) 832-6278.