Does Your Child’s Tooth Sensitivity Require an Emergency Dental Visit?

In parenthood, there are countless times when you’ll second guess yourself or not know what to do. It’s not always crystal clear what the right choice is for your child’s safety and health. For instance, if your child tells you they have tooth sensitivity, you can debate whether this symptom requires an emergency dental visit.

Unlike pain, sensitivity doesn’t always mean something serious is wrong with your child’s mouth or that it is a dental emergency. Understanding the causes of sensitivity can help you know what to do if it becomes a problem for your child.

What Could Tooth Sensitivity Mean?

Your child’s teeth could feel sensitive for several reasons, especially if they still have baby teeth. Depending on their age, they could be experiencing soreness as a result of permanent teeth coming in. They can also have sensitivity because of a cavity that is starting to delve deeper into a tooth, irritating the nerve. However, baby teeth can feel sensitive because these have a very thin layer of enamel, which means that they could be vulnerable to certain stimuli, especially if they have been worn down from grinding or extreme wear and tear.

How Can You Tell If Your Child’s Sensitivity Is a Dental Emergency?

If your child complains about sensitivity or seems to wince or hold their face when they eat or drink, pay attention to the circumstances. Are they eating or drinking something extremely hot, cold, or sugary? Does it happen when they bite or chew hard foods? Keep track of how often and how severe these reactions are. If your child’s sensitivity prevents them from having their normal diet or seems to get worse, it’s time to visit the pediatric dentist for an emergency appointment. If your child can still seem to function without pain, you’re probably okay to wait until their next dental checkup to talk to your pediatric dentist about the situation.

How Can You Deal with Sensitivity at Home?

Supposing your child’s sensitivity isn’t urgent or progressing, you can better manage the situation by reducing sugary beverages or foods—like juice, sports drinks, gummy snacks, and even dried fruit—that your child has throughout the day. If possible, avoid ice cold drinks or other triggers, but most importantly, make sure your child’s teeth are brushed with anti-cavity, fluoride toothpaste and flossed every day. 

In the end, you’re the ultimate authority and expert on your child and can decide what to do if this scenario happens. Using this information can guide you to the right choice and help your child find relief from tooth sensitivity. Plus, if you have questions or need additional help, you can always reach out to your pediatric dentist for professional advice!

About the Practice

At Coastal Pediatric Dentistry, the comfort of our patients is important, which is why we try to see our emergency patients as quickly as possible and relieve their pain. Dr. James Forester and Dr. Natalie Vander Kam are board-certified pediatric dentists, which means they specialize in serving patients under the age of 18. If you have questions about your child’s tooth sensitivity, contact the office in San Luis Obispo online or call 805-592-2020.