You expected your child’s face to light up when you got them ice cream, but they actually winced with their first bite. Dental sensitivity is a problem that millions of kids have to deal with, but does it call for immediate attention? Should you stop everything you’re doing and schedule a dental appointment as soon as possible? In most situations, no, but there are some instances where sensitive teeth could indicate a more pressing issue that does call for urgent attention—keep reading to learn the difference.
Are Sensitive Teeth a Dental Emergency?
In most cases, sensitive teeth do NOT call for emergency dental care.
Typically, a child will feel a little bit of discomfort if their teeth are exposed to extremely hot or cold temperatures, but they’ll quickly feel fine afterward.
However, if this sensitivity lingers for 30 seconds or longer, it could point to an underlying problem that probably shouldn’t wait.
What Causes Sensitive Teeth?
The primary cause of sensitive teeth is thin enamel that leaves the underlying nerve exposed to temperature changes. A child’s enamel might be naturally thin on one or more teeth, or this could be the result of a lack of oral hygiene or minor physical trauma. Thankfully, the sensitivity is usually short-lived in this case.
On the other hand, sensitivity can also stem from an underlying infection inside the tooth. The big difference is that the pain lasts well after the source of the temperature change is removed.
How to Handle Your Child’s Sensitive Teeth
If the sensitivity tends to go away quickly, start by having your child switch to a toothpaste formulated for sensitive teeth, making sure they brush twice a day for at least two minutes each. This should make a definitive difference after about a week of consistent use.
If this doesn’t help, or the sensitivity tends to stick around, it’s smart to schedule a dental appointment. It can be at your earliest convenience—no need to drop everything you’re doing—but it should ideally happen within the next day or so.
This will give their pediatric dentist the chance to examine their enamel and the state of the tooth’s interior to determine the root cause of the problem. Then, based on their findings, they might recommend either restoring or removing the tooth based on its condition.
All in all, while your child’s sensitive teeth shouldn’t cause you to panic, it’s definitely not something you want to ignore. Of course, if you’re unsure whether or not a dental visit is warranted, you can simply call their dentist and let them know what is going on—they’ll make it easy to know what you should do next!
About the Author
Dr. Sheh Vahid is an experienced pediatric dentist with a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine who completed her specialty training at the University of Michigan. Coming from a family that includes a fellow pediatric dentist(dad), orthodontist (mom), and general dentist (brother), she is passionate about safeguarding the oral health of growing smiles while empowering parents through education.
Call (678) 304-1994 or click here if you have questions about sensitive teeth or would like to schedule an appointment for your child at Woodland Pediatric Dentistry.