Reviewed by Dr. David Sentelle, DMD, PhD, MPH
Reading time: three minutes.
Has your child ever winced while eating ice cream or felt discomfort after drinking a cold glass of water?
Dentin hypersensitivity can make everyday activities painful, affecting your child’s quality of life.
Understanding what causes hypersensitive teeth and how to manage them can help keep your child comfortable and smiling.
In this blog, you will learn about the causes, symptoms, and the best ways to treat and prevent dentin hypersensitivity in children.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaway
Dentin hypersensitivity occurs when enamel wears down or gums recede, exposing sensitive dentin to external stimuli, causing sharp pain. Managing it involves using fluoride toothpaste, gentle oral care, avoiding acidic foods, and seeking professional treatments like fluoride varnish or bonding agents.
What Is Dentin?
Dentin is the layer beneath the enamel that protects the nerves inside a tooth.
It contains tiny tubules (dentinal tubules) that allow sensation to pass through. When the protective layer of enamel wears down or gums recede, these tubules become exposed, allowing external stimuli like cold, heat, and sweet foods to trigger a sharp pain.
Causes of Dentin Hypersensitivity in Kids
Several factors can contribute to dentin exposure and hypersensitivity, including:
- Loss of tooth enamel: Acidic foods, tooth decay, and tooth whitening products can wear away enamel.
- Gum recession: Improper brushing or gum diseases (periodontal disease) can expose the root surface.
- Bruxism (teeth grinding): Clenching or grinding can wear down the tooth surface, increasing sensitivity.
- Dietary habits: Frequent consumption of citrus fruits, cold food, and sweets can irritate the dentin.
- Enamel hypoplasia: A developmental condition where enamel doesn’t form properly, leaving teeth more vulnerable to sensitivity and decay.
How Common Is Dentin Hypersensitivity?
A clinical study found that 4.7% to 45.2% of children and adolescents experience cervical dentine sensitivity, depending on various factors such as diet, oral hygiene, and genetic predisposition.
Kids who frequently consume acidic foods, have poor oral hygiene, or experience tooth enamel erosion are at higher risk.
Effective Options for the Treatment of Dentin Hypersensitivity
Managing dental hypersensitivity involves a combination of preventive care and professional treatments. Here are the best ways to help your child find effective relief:
1. Best Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth and Gums
- Fluoride toothpaste strengthens tooth enamel and reduces hypersensitive teeth. If your child is 12 years or older, we may prescribe a toothpaste with potassium nitrate and fluoride.
- Look for products containing calcium carbonate or nano-hydroxyapatite. We recommend Toms of Maine Kids Toothpaste and RiseWell Kids Mineral Toothpaste.
Learn more about Nano-Hydroxyapatite vs. Fluoride: Which Toothpaste Is Better for Your Teeth?
2. Fluoride Varnish and Sealants
- A professional fluoride varnish helps strengthen tooth enamel and reduce sensitivity by promoting remineralization and protecting against acid attacks.
- Dental sealants provide an extra protective layer over the enamel, preventing dentin exposure.
3. Gentle Brushing and Proper Oral Hygiene
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to prevent gingival recession and enamel wear.
- Teach kids to brush twice a day and floss at least once a day.
4. Dietary Changes to Reduce Sensitivity
- Limit acidic foods like citrus fruits, carbonated drinks, and vinegar-based products to prevent enamel erosion and reduce sensitivity.
- Encourage your child to drink water to rinse away acids and keep their mouth healthy. Milk helps build strong teeth by providing calcium and phosphates. Unsweetened, calcium-fortified plant-based alternatives like almond or soy milk can offer similar benefits.
- Encourage your child to eat cheese to neutralize acids and keep their mouth healthy. It also provides minerals that help build strong teeth.
Check out this blog to learn more about essential vitamins for tooth and gum health: Vitamins kids (and parents) need for healthy teeth and gums.
5. Professional Treatments for Dentin Hypersensitivity
- Desensitizing treatments: Your child’s dentist can apply special coatings or bonding agents to the teeth, helping reduce sensitivity and protect exposed areas.
- Gum care for sensitivity: If your child has receding gums, treatments like gentle cleaning below the gumline can improve gum health and reduce sensitivity.
Keep Your Child’s Smile Healthy and Pain-Free
If your child is experiencing severe pain, sensitivity to cold food, or discomfort in daily activities, it is time to seek professional care.
At Lonestar Kid’s Dentistry in McKinney, TX, we offer the latest treatments for sensitive teeth to help restore comfort and protect your kid’s oral health.
To book a dental exam at our pediatric dental office in McKinney, TX, call (214) 436-5555 or visit us at 5323 W University Dr #100, McKinney, Texas.
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