Sensitive teeth are, no doubt, a common issue in adults. Nowadays, however, more and more kids suffer from the same. Few kids can verbalize exactly what they are feeling when taking hot or cold foods, and most parents will, therefore, dismiss them as fussy eaters. Routine dental checkups are recommended to ensure issues like dental sensitivity are detected long before they become a grave issue and affect your child’s general wellbeing. If you are searching for dental services for your child, you can seek dental expertise from the pediatric dentistry Vienna.
The good news is a dentist for children in Utah can offer different solutions for sensitive teeth. Before you access any treatment, however, ensure your child is following proper tooth brushing instructions. At times tooth sensitivity follows something as simple as poor dental hygiene. Kids should brush at least twice daily, for not less than two minutes and at 45-degree angle strokes. If your child is flossing and brushing as he should and still complains of sensitive teeth, here are the treatments your dentist might recommend.
1. Tooth-Colored Fillings
Dental cavities are the primary causes of tooth sensitivity in children. They affect about 13% of kids between 12-19 years, and over 25% of those aged 5-11 years have one or more untreated decayed teeth. Filling cavities is the only way to address tooth sensitivity arising from dental caries. While some decayed teeth are easy to pick, some can only be identified during a routine dental x-ray. Nowadays, you can opt for tooth-colored fillings that are discrete and will not affect your child’s smile.
2. Fluoride Treatments
Thin dental enamel resulting from fluoride deficiency also exposes the inner layers of a child’s teeth. This, in turn, increases their sensitivity to temperature changes. Fluoride treatments strengthen dental enamel and protect the inner layers of the teeth. Fluoridated water and toothpaste can help address fluoride deficiency. Even so, a dentist might sometimes recommend in-office fluoride treatments done every three months. Fluoride gels for home use also help strengthen dental enamel.
3. Dental Sealants
These are used for the treatment of sensitive permanent teeth. This is because permanent teeth have more nooks into which food can get stuck and contribute to tooth decay. Dental sealants are hard plastics that fill the pits in these teeth, making it almost impossible for food to get stuck in them. The sealants are side-effect-free and last for approximately ten years. They are particularly helpful for kids still learning how to clean their teeth effectively.
4. Dental Crowns
Tooth sensitivity in kids also follows dental fractures. In most cases, these are hairline fractures caused by bite misalignment, trauma, or teeth grinding. Only a dental x-ray can detect these fractures. If this is the issue in your child, dental crowns can be used over the affected tooth to protect the inner tooth layers. The dentist will also recommend treatments for teeth grinding and bite misalignment if these are the causes of the fracture.
Few things are as painful and uncomfortable as a sensitive tooth. This should never be taken lightly, especially for kids. Visit a pediatric dentist today and have one of the above solutions prescribed for a pain-free eating experience for your child.