Even when your child is in the process of losing their first set of teeth and replacing them with permanent ones, their basic dental needs aren’t so different from your own. Kids still need to brush their teeth twice a day and floss daily, and many experience sensitivity to heat and cold.
Your family dentist in Framingham advises parents to identify the source of the sensitivity, first. Some of the things that could be causing your child to shrink away from the toothbrush include…
Visiting your child’s dentist can help you ascertain the root cause of the sensitivity so that you know how best to proceed. In some cases, an anti-sensitivity toothpaste can really help. Please check with your dentist before giving your child a desensitizing toothpaste, though, as they may not all be suitable for children.
Inside the tooth enamel are small tubes connected to nerves within the dentin. Anti-sensitivity toothpaste works by blocking these pathways to the nerve to prevent the transmission of pain. It may take a few days before your child notices any difference, but it should help after a while.
Your dentist may instruct you to call the office back if your child doesn’t experience a reduction in sensitivity after about 2 weeks.
When you visit your child’s dentist seeking an answer for sensitivity, Dr. Fried will probably recommend a fluoride treatment. This mineral, applied topically, strengthens tooth enamel to make it less sensitive to the acids that cause cavities as well as hot and cold stimuli. A fluoride treatment is applied within minutes at the end of the checkup and cleaning, and it can make a big difference for your child’s dental health.
Most water sources throughout the US have been treated with fluoride, too, so it’s not a bad idea to encourage your child to drink tap water. If you prefer your family to drink filtered water, though, please make sure your toothpastes contain the mineral. Any formula that has the ADA (American Dental Association) stamp of approval will contain fluoride.
If your child is complaining of sensitive teeth, a visit to your dentist in Framingham should be the next step. Dr. Fried will examine their smile to diagnose and treat the sensitivity. We invite you to schedule an appointment with your child’s favorite dentist today!
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