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How to Help Your Child Deal with Tooth Sensitivity
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Posted on 5/20/2016 by Cynthia Pelley |
 Has your child complained that his teeth hurt when drinking hot chocolate or eating ice cream? He could be dealing with sensitivity, and there are some steps that you can take to help him.
Find Out What is Causing the Problem
Before you can look for a tooth sensitivity remedy for your child, you'll need to figure out the cause of the problem.
If he doesn't have the best dental hygiene habits, decay could have caused the enamel to wear down. In other cases, a chip or crack that occurred when playing sports could have developed, causing irritation to the dentin.
Talk to Your DentistIf your child says that his teeth are sensitive, you may be tempted to go out and buy him some desensitizing toothpaste, but this isn't always a good idea. Children under the age of 12 should only use these products after getting the okay from your dentist.
Your dentist can also recommend other treatment options to strengthen your child's teeth. If his sensitivity is due to cavities, fluoride treatments may be used in the office in order to strengthen the enamel and lower the risk for tooth decay.
Special fluoride treatments are only used if your child has an above average risk for tooth decay, and your child's dentist can even give you a prescription to use a special fluoride gel at home.
Encourage Proper Oral HygieneIn addition to visiting the dentist regularly and investing in fluoride treatments, you can also help ease your child's sensitivity by improving his oral hygiene.
Make sure that he brushes well, and if you are concerned that he might not doing the best job, start supervising his oral care. Brushing and flossing daily will keep the gums and teeth clean while lowering the risk of cavities and gum disease, ultimately reducing the risk of sensitivity, as well.
Please contact us if you have any questions about your child's tooth sensitivity. |
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