Do you occasionally find the taste of ice cream or a sip of hot coffee unpleasant? Do you get a shiver when you brush or floss your teeth? While pain from hot or cold foods may indicate a cavity, it is also frequent in people with sensitive teeth. Teeth sensitivity affects both adults and children regularly. Many issues can cause tooth sensitivity, but if you treat them right once, they won’t become a persistent issue.
What Causes Teeth to Become Sensitive?
Teeth feel sensitive because the dentine layer within the tooth has been exposed. This results from damage to the tooth’s surface’s protective enamel. Numerous incredibly small holes in the dentine go to the tooth’s nerve. This indirect nerve exposure is what causes dental sensitivity or discomfort.
How Does Sensitivity Happen?
Since dentine can be exposed in various ways, there are several reasons for sensitivity:
- You may have a damaged or cracked tooth or a hole caused by dental decay that requires a filling.
- Tooth enamel can be worn down by brushing your teeth excessively (either too hard or too long).
- Acidic foods and drinks can erode your enamel.
- Receding gums might gradually expose the root of your tooth, which does not have an enamel coating. This could happen spontaneously or due to gum disease, including gingivitis.
- Low-quality cosmetic teeth whitening procedures might cause enamel damage.
- Grinding your teeth can wear away your enamel or the entire tooth.
Teeth Sensitivity Symptoms
When you have sensitive tooth issues, the symptoms are evident and noticeable immediately. So yes, you have teeth sensitivity if you experience acute tooth pain after eating or drinking something hot or cold. Your teeth may become more sensitive due to exposure to cold water and air.
The sign of sensitive teeth is when you experience discomfort in your jaw and teeth during biting or chewing. Sometimes the signs of sensitive teeth are mild and only become apparent over time. It depends on the type of teeth enamels and gums, as well as all of the products you use on your teeth.
What Are the Treatment Options for Tooth Sensitivity?
Although tooth sensitivity might never disappear, some treatments can help you feel less sensitive. We advise scheduling an examination at SkyRise Dental if you are feeling sensitive in any way. We can treat sensitivity more effectively if we know what’s causing your discomfort. Never ignore pain, as this could result in more severe problems.
Treatments for Tooth Sensitivity
Visit your dentist if you suffer from sensitive teeth. They can determine or rule out any underlying reasons for your tooth discomfort. Your dentist may advise using desensitizing toothpaste, depending on the situation. Desensitizing toothpaste can occasionally relieve pain associated with sensitive teeth after multiple applications. There are several over-the-counter products available. Which product can be the most effective for you? Ask your dentist.
- Fluoride: Your dentist may apply fluoride to the sensitive areas of your teeth to strengthen enamel and reduce discomfort. They could also advise applying prescription fluoride using a customized tray at home.
- Bonding or Desensitizing: Occasionally, exposed root surfaces can be addressed by applying bonding resin to the sensitive root surfaces. A local anesthetic may be required.
- Gum Graft Surgery: You can remove a small amount of gum tissue from another part of your mouth and connect it to the area where your tooth root has lost gum tissue. This can lessen sensitivity and protect exposed roots.
- Root Canal: Your dentist may suggest a root canal to treat issues with the tooth’s soft core (dental pulp) if your sensitive teeth are painful and other treatments are ineffective. While this may appear to be an effective therapy, it is often regarded as the most effective method of removing dental sensitivity.
Is Tooth Sensitivity Preventable?
- Get regular checkups.
- Pay attention to the oral hygiene instructions given to you by your dentist or dental hygienist.
- As soon as you suspect a problem, such as a cavity, a cracked tooth, or a change in your gums, schedule an appointment with your dentist. Treatment can prevent issues from worsening.
- Your dentist may suggest a fluoride gel, rinse, or varnish. These might progressively strengthen the layer of protection on your teeth.
- Steer clear of acidic, sour, and sweet food and drinks.
- Change to a softer toothbrush, and change it out as soon as it wears out.
- Use a toothpaste that reduces sensitivity, particularly one that contains fluoride (but follow your dentist’s instructions as too much fluoride can be harmful).
Many people suffer from sensitive teeth and pain, frequently caused by a gradual deterioration of the tooth’s enamel. Permanent tooth sensitivity treatment is a possibility. You should seek medical attention if this condition persists after a few weeks. Call us at SkyRise Dental if you live in Thornhill, Ontario, to stop suffering from tooth sensitivity!
