What Causes Tooth Sensitivity?  

Although tooth sensitivity can result from a cavity, it is also linked to a variety of other dental issues, including thin or worn-away enamel.

Symptoms Associated With Tooth Sensitivity in Fort Collins, Colorado

When a child has tooth sensitivity (aka dentin hypersensitivity), variances in the temperature (i.e., hot and cold) of food, beverages and even air cause pain. Additional pain triggers include sweet and acidic foods.

Determining the Cause of Sensitive Teeth

As experienced pediatric dentists in Fort Collins, Colorado, the first thing that Dr. Greg Evans and Dr. Rachel Ecker do is determine the reason a child is experiencing tooth sensitivity. Once they know the reason for the sensitivity, they create an individualized treatment plan.

Potential Reasons for Tooth Sensitivity in Fort Collins, Colorado

Broken or chipped teeth, as well as worn-down or missing fillings and crowns, can cause sensitive teeth. This tooth sensitivity may be chronic or temporary, with pain intensity ranging from mild to severe. Seeking treatment as soon as possible can prevent further damage to the affected tooth or teeth. At Big Grins in Fort Collins, Colorado, pediatric dentists Dr. Ecker and Dr. Evans stop tooth sensitivity by addressing these dental issues.

Other reasons for sensitive teeth include:

Dentinogenesis imperfecta

Dental enamel thickness is genetic, which means it runs in families. When a child born with dentinogenesis imperfecta begins developing teeth, the protective barrier (i.e., enamel) of his or her teeth is thinner than the enamel of those who are born without this condition. Nonetheless, there are other reasons that children who do not inherit dentinogenesis imperfecta experience tooth sensitivity.

Daily dental care mishaps

Children can unintentionally wear down their tooth enamel or cause their gums to recede by using a hard-bristle toothbrush or brushing their teeth too hard.

Wearing-away of tooth enamel due to diet

Regularly consuming acidic beverages (e.g., soda, lemonade) and eating highly acidic foods (e.g., oranges, tomatoes) can cause tooth enamel to wear away.

Stomach acid

Conditions that cause stomach acid to enter the mouth (e.g., gastroesophageal reflux [GERD]) can erode tooth enamel.

A receding gum line (aka gingival tissue)

When the gingival tissue pulls away from the teeth, the root surface may become exposed, resulting in tooth sensitivity.

Sleep bruxism

Sleep bruxism involves the grinding and clenching of teeth while asleep. Since this movement disorder is done subconsciously, preventing damage to the teeth is the best way to avoid the development of tooth sensitivity. Therefore, Big Grins’ pediatric dentists in Fort Collins, Colorado, may recommend a custom-designed mouth guard for the child to wear while sleeping.

If you reside in the Fort Collins, Colorado, area, and your child is experiencing tooth sensitivity, please make an appointment at Big Grins today. To schedule by phone, please call: (970) 407-1020 or request an appointment using the online form. Big Grins address is 3221 Eastbrook Drive, #A-101 in Fort Collins, Colorado.