Here’s Everything That You Need To Know About Teeth Sensitivity

posted in: Teeth Sensitivity | 0

Here’s-everything-that-you-need-to-know-about-teeth-sensitivityWhy do we get sensitive teeth?

The tooth enamel is a hard outer layer that protects the sensitive layer called dentin. It is present inside the crown and contains tiny nerve endings that trigger pain immediately if exposed to hot, cold, sticky foodstuff due to damaged enamel. Teeth sensitivity can develop in case if dentin present in the crown or the affected tooth root gets exposed.

How do I know if I have sensitive teeth?

If you experience pain in some or all the teeth while drinking hot beverages and eating cold food items, your teeth have probably developed sensitivity.  It tops the list of the most reported dental health issues in the United States. Unfortunately, some individuals avoid drinking hot stuff instead of approaching the dentist to treat the painful condition.

What causes teeth to become sensitive?

  • Receding Gums

At times, gums start wearing and pulling away from the tooth resulting in exposed tooth roots. Even normal wear and tear can lead to gum erosion, resulting in exposed dentin. Further, exposed nerves in the area can cause pain. The condition makes the tooth sensitive and is often found in patients above the age of 40.

There can be other reasons, including gum diseases, behind receding gums and gum graft might be required to sort out the issue. If necessary, the dentist would suggest opting for scaling to get rid of plaque, tartar present at the gum line.

  • A crack in the tooth

A tiny crack may seem to be harmless; however, if ignored; it can go further down to the root and start causing pain. Your dentist can fix the crack quickly if it has not reached the gum line; else, there would be no other option but to get the tooth pulled out. Even a restored tooth with filling can develop such cracks and cause pain.

  • Temporary pain due to bleaching

Bleaching happens to be one of the best ways to maintain those pearly whites. But, in some cases, bleaching can result in temporary pain, tooth sensitivity. So, it is advisable to immediately get in touch with your dental office in case if you experience increased sensitivity after teeth bleaching.

  • Damage caused while brushing

As mentioned earlier, the enamel is the cover that protects the sensitive nerve endings beneath the tooth surface. Thus, care needs to be taken to ensure the coating does not wear off. Enamel can also get damaged while brushing with wrong brushing techniques.

Patients with sensitive teeth should use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Do not put too much pressure on teeth while brushing to avoid cleaning something more than the plaque while brushing. For preventing any damage to the teeth, avoid using the brush on the gum line.

In case if you discover any sensitive spot on your tooth, it is advisable to inform your dentist about the same immediately.

What can help sensitive teeth?

  • Opt for a sensitive toothpaste and brush

You can opt for one of the specially designed soft toothbrushes with sensitive heads for patients with severe tooth twitchiness. Plus, to make life easy, there are sensitive toothpaste ranges from Sensodyne, Colgate, and Oral B. The ingredients present in the specially formulated toothpaste work with saliva in creating a protective layer on the sensitive tooth.  These and other products help in offering relief to the patients.

  • Maintain oral hygiene

Maintaining good oral health is critical to ensure that the gum disease, decay do not spread on the other healthy teeth. Follow the oral health guidelines recommended by the dentist to keep the hypersensitivity limited to the affected region.

  • Control your diet

Diet plays a prominent role in controlling the damage and reducing the twitchiness. As mentioned earlier, besides lowering the intake of sugary stuff, avoid eating and drinking items that are extremely cold or hot while under treatment. Do not eat foods that can result in acid reflux.

  • Do not skip the visit to the dental office

People believe in masking the problem rather than finding a solution. Ignoring cracked teeth and cavities for a few months can result in tooth sensitivity. Thus, do not skip the six-month dental office visit because check-up can help in early detection of problems.

  • Address teeth grinding

Teeth grinding can damage enamel quicker than anything else. Thus, patients indulged in grinding must address the stress, and opt for a mouth guard, a splint to protect the teeth if required. Dental care expert may recommend muscle relaxant for addressing the issue.

Foods to avoid with sensitive teeth

Items like sticky candy, chocolate, and other sugar-rich foods are well-known to attack the tooth enamel. Thus, avoid the consumption of such things, along with acidic foods and drinks. Wine, citrus fruits and carbonated drinks need to be avoided at any cost.

Opt for fiber-rich vegetables, fruits, and of course milk, cheese, plain yogurt. Maintaining adequate saliva level is crucial, so, keep your mouth moistened as far as possible.

Chew sugarless gum, and drink black or green tea if you are an individual who would like to have beverages.

Treatment for very sensitive teeth

  • Bonding resin

Depending on the condition of the exposed root surfaces that triggers pain and causes sensitivity, the dentist can apply bonding resin on the gum surface after administering local anesthetic.

  • Root canal

In case if the tooth fails to respond to the initial treatment and continues causing severe pain, the dentist might recommend a root canal. Tooth hypersensitivity can be eliminated by replacing the infected dental pulp.

  • Fluoride treatment

To strengthen the enamel, your dental care expert might apply fluoride on the sensitive areas of the affected tooth. The procedure helps in controlling pain and reducing the chances of further enamel damage. Your dentist can also recommend fluoride treatment custom tray for applying the same while at home.

Are sensitive teeth bad?

Yes, because it indicates root sensitivity or dentin hypersensitivity. The condition needs urgent attention to avoid further damage to the patient’s overall oral health. If you experience tooth sensitivity and are looking for a trustworthy dental office in Roswell (GA), you should make an appointment at the TruCare Dentistry.