Suffering from Sensitive Teeth can be Extremely Painful
Does the taste of a cool dessert or steaming coffee cause a painful sensation in your mouth? If so, you could be one of the 40 million Americans who suffer from sensitive teeth.
In healthy teeth, a layer of enamel covers the crown of your teeth (the part above the gum line). Over time, the enamel can wear away, exposing the dentin to external stimulation. Without the protection of the enamel, the tubes within the dentin allow heat and cold or acidic foods to reach the underlying nerves.
What causes sensitive teeth?
Possible causes include:
- Using a toothbrush that is too abrasive and rough
- Eating and drinking acidic food/beverages
- A chipped or fractured tooth
- Gum recession, due to age or improper brushing
- Worn tooth enamel or tooth decay
- Tooth grinding
How can sensitive teeth be treated?
Sensitive teeth can be treated. Once a dental professional helps to identify what the cause is, proper treatment will be prescribed. Your dentist might suggest one of the following treatments:
- Using a very soft-bristle toothbrush and learning to brush properly to prevent enamel and gum recession
- Using desensitizing toothpaste to help block the transmission of the sensation to the nerve
- Fluoride gel
- Insertion of a crown or root canal
- Surgical gum graft
Proper oral hygiene is the key to preventing sensitivity within the teeth. Make an appointment today with your Longmeadow dentist if you have any questions about your daily oral hygiene routine or trouble with tooth sensitivity.