Do I need to take my son to the pediatric dentist? My 10 yr old has a tooth that hurts when we touch it. It’s one of his bottom right teeth. It’s not really sensitive to heat or cold, just when we touch it. He first felt a little pain when he was brushing his teeth and I felt around each tooth to see which one was hurting. What could make his tooth hurt to the touch? Is this a part of growth and development or is it a reason to take him to the pediatric dentist? Thanks. Julia
Julia - There are several possible causes of your son’s tooth pain. And in each case, it needs the attention of a pediatric dentist.
- Receding gums - When the gums around a tooth recede, the tooth roots can be exposed. This will make the nerves of the tooth more sensitive. Aggressively brushing your teeth can cause the gums to recede. Gum disease can also be the cause. If left untreated, the recession will worsen and pain and sensitivity will increase.
- Infection - The center of the tooth may be inflamed and irritated from an infection. The extent of the pain depends on the severity of the infection. If this is the case, the pain will increase until the infection is treated.
- Damage or decay - If a tooth is cracked or if it has a cavity, it will become sensitive. Repair is needed to keep a crack from spreading or to prevent decay from progressing.
The sooner you have your son’s tooth examined and the reason for the pain is diagnosed, the easier it will be to treat. And it will prevent the pain from escalating to a dental emergency. Schedule an appointment with your pediatric dentist right away.
This post is sponsored by Chatham, NJ dentist award-winning dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley