Hot or cold foods and beverages, as well as cold air, can cause your children's teeth to hurt. Learn more about what causes tooth sensitivity and what steps you can take to provide your children with relief from this problem.

Causes of Tooth Sensitivity

Children can end up with sensitive teeth for a number of reasons. These include the following:

• Cavities: Cavities develop when your child has tooth decay. This can occur when children don’t brush and floss their teeth at least twice a day. Not brushing and flossing enough allows bacteria to thrive, resulting in plaque and tartar buildup. Cavities or holes can form, which makes it easier for hot and cold sensations to hit the nerves inside teeth. 
• Bruxism or teeth grinding: Some children have a habit of grinding their teeth, which is known as bruxism. If this becomes a regular habit or your child starts doing it even more than usual, it can cause small cracks to appear in teeth. These cracks can lead to tooth sensitivity. 
• Brushing too hard: Brushing regularly is important for oral health, but putting too much pressure on teeth can harm them. If your children brush their teeth too hard, this can wear away tooth enamel. This can cause teeth to become more sensitive to hot and cold sensations.
• Sinus problems: Sinus infections can cause tooth sensitivity to occur in the teeth at the top of your child’s mouth. These teeth are close to where the sinuses are located. 

How to Relieve Tooth Sensitivity

The discomfort that tooth sensitivity causes can make it hard for children to eat and drink foods and beverages that are hot, cold or spicy. They can also have a difficult time being outdoors in the cold since exposure to cold air can affect sensitive teeth as well. If your children have sensitive teeth, try the following for relief:

• Visit the dentist for routine checkups: Going to the dentist for exams and cleanings every six months can provide relief for tooth sensitivity. During these visits, dentists check for the cause of sensitivity and recommend treatment as needed. Your children will also get fluoride treatment, which helps make their tooth enamel stronger.
• Use toothbrushes with soft bristles: Have your children use soft-bristled toothbrushes instead of hard or medium ones. 
• Brush and floss at least twice a day: This helps reduce the risk of tooth decay and cavities by removing plaque. Brushing and flossing on a regular basis should help ease sensitivity. 
• Choose toothpaste for sensitive teeth: Some types of toothpaste are made for those with sensitive teeth. Have your children use this kind of toothpaste instead of their regular toothpaste. 
• Rinse with a mouthwash that contains fluoride: Using this kind of mouthwash helps make tooth enamel stronger.

Bruxism and sensitive teeth can go hand-in-hand. Give Wright Smiles Pediatric Dentistry a call if you’re concerned about your child’s teeth sensitivity.