Parents: Tooth Sensitivity in Children Is No Laughing Matter
Posted: 9/7/2010
 Cavities are the most common cause of toothaches. (NewsUSA) - Children's smiling faces will bring joy to most parents. A toothache, however, can quickly turn a child's smile into a frown. If your little one reports tooth sensitivity or pain, it may be time to visit a dentist. But if your child has no pain or sensitivity, you'll still want to use the best preventive techniques.
Most toothaches are caused by cavities or bacterial infections in teeth. The best defense against dental problems like these is a good oral hygiene routine. Twice-daily brushing and once-daily flossing is a good first step toward preventing childhood dental problems. To give kids an even greater advantage for maintaining good dental health, some parents also choose to incorporate oral care probiotics, such as EvoraKids (www.myevorakids.com). EvoraKids is a chew that is designed to help support children's tooth health by introducing beneficial bacteria to the mouth.
"The probiotics effectively compete with certain harmful bacteria for both nutrients and space on teeth surfaces," says Dr. Jeffrey Hillman, D.M.D., Ph.D., chief scientific officer of Oragenics, Inc. "These beneficial bacteria can reach into the tiny crevices on the chewing surfaces of the teeth."
However, if your child does happen to complain of a toothache or sensitive teeth, despite your best preventive efforts, it may be something other than dental disease. Some toothaches can be caused by injuries, such as loosened, chipped or fractured teeth. Chips and fractures can lead to infection, so children who sustain mouth injuries should visit a dentist as soon as possible. Parents can help prevent mouth injuries by making sure that children buckle their seat belts, wear mouthguards and helmets while playing sports, don't run where slips and falls are likely, and don't try to chew very hard foods.
If your child complains of a sudden toothache, make sure it's not something simple, like a piece of food stuck in their teeth or gums, before visiting the dentist. You can also rinse the child's mouth with warm water to loosen any unseen items. If food is found stuck between teeth, gently remove it with floss. |
