You are unable to drink hot beverages or eat cold food because you feel a mild twinge, which persists for several hours. It is known as, “teeth sensitivity.” But, it can also be a warning sign for grave dental issues.
How does tooth sensitivity occur?
When dentin gets exposed, you experience tooth sensitivity. Dentin is a material that is filled in your tooth and covers tiny nerve endings. It has countless number of tubes and pores that run from tooth exterior to nerve in the centre.
Dentin has a solid outer enameled layer that protects it inside the tooth crown. Dentin that extends down to tooth root is protected by cementum layer. Due to loss of enamel or gum recessions dentin gets exposed. Temperature changes in certain food stimulate the tubes causing nerve irritation or pain.
Causes of teeth sensitivity
The area, where gum and tooth meet, usually experiences dentin exposure because the enamel layer in this part is relatively thinner.
- Brushing very hard from one side to another causes the enamel to wear off, especially where gums and teeth meet. Thus the exposed dentin can become sensitive and painful.
- Dental erosion or tooth enamel loss can be due to consuming acidic food and beverages.
- Gums shrink back naturally, exposing teeth roots, which are not protected with an enamel layer.
- Plague or tartar build up can cause gum to shrink down, as well as destroy bone support. Pockets get formed in gums surrounding the tooth, which is difficult to keep the area clean. Thus, the issue worsens.
- Tooth grinding or bruxism can make the teeth enamel to wear down and make teeth sensitive.
- Cracked tooth running from biting surface to the root can stimulate pain due to extreme temperatures, especially cold food can cause discomfort.
- Worn leaky filling, tooth decay and gum recession exposes dentin.
- Tooth sensitivity can be due to post tooth bleaching, filings or crown process. It vanishes after a short time.
Preliminary dental treatment
The first step is to discuss your sensitivity issue and look for ways to find relief from this discomfort. A Fort Worth dentist health center looks for the root cause and determines treatment procedure.
- If you experience sensitivity, it is because of a cavity. So, dental restoration is conducted.
- If it is due to gum disease, then professionals perform thorough cleaning.
- If cause is from exposure of dentin, then professionals recommend in office or at home treatments to decrease sensitivity.
In-office treatment procedure
- To strengthen the dentin and enamel, fluoride varnish is applied to exposed regions in the mouth.
- Fluoride gel or foam is placed in mouth tray, which is inserted in your mouth. It is removed after 3 to 4 minutes. Your teeth is supplied with high concentrated fluoride, which strengthens the area.
- Bonding agent is a material used to seal the exposed dentin surface as well as provide a blockade to avoid stimuli, which triggers pain.
Sensitivity takes time to settle. You may need several appointments. If this does not help then seal will be applied at the joints of gum and tooth to cover the exposed dentin. In serious cases, the dentist may root-fill the tooth.
At home treatment procedures
- Make use of toothbrush with extremely soft bristle.
- Choose low-abrasive toothpaste, specially formulated to calm the nerve endings.
- Brush appropriately.
- Never over brush.
How to prevent sensitive teeth?
Use a fluoride toothpaste to brush your teeth at least once a day. Brush with small circular movements and avoid side-to-side brushing.
- Change toothbrush after 2 to 3 months or even sooner if it gets worn.
- In case, you are a buxer, discuss it with the dentist and wear a mouth guard at night.
- Limit acidic and fizzy drinks as well as sugary food.
- Before teeth bleaching treatment, discuss sensitivity with the dentist.
- Regularly visit the dental health care clinic, as often as recommended.
Chris Johnson has written this article. If you have any kind of teeth related issues, then you must make it a point to get in touch with a dentist immediately, before it develops into a serious problem. To contact the best Fort Worth dentist, please visit their website.