Sensitive teeth Redmond Molloy explains what to do
Posted on Tue, Feb 07, 2012 @ 06:53 AM
Are Your Teeth Sensitive?
Is a taste of ice cream or a sip of hot coffee sometimes a painful experience for you? Does brushing or flossing make you wince occasionally? If so, you may have a common problem called "sensitive teeth."
What Causes Sensitive Teeth?
Cavities and fractured teeth can cause sensitive teeth so first port of call is to let one of our dentists at Redmond Molloy examine your teeth, if we rule these problems out, a simple filling without even needing anesthetic is sometimes all that is required to prevent the problem getting any worse. Worn tooth enamel, a cracked tooth or an exposed tooth root may be the cause.
A layer of enamel, the strongest substance in the body, protects the crowns of healthy teeth. A layer called cementum protects the tooth root under the gum line. Underneath the enamel and the cementum is dentin, a part of the tooth that is less dense than enamel or cementum.
The dentin contains microscopic tubules (small hollow tubes or canals). When the dentin loses its protective covering, the tubules allow heat and cold or acidic or sticky foods to get in at the nerves inside the tooth. This causes hypersensitivity and occasional discomfort. Fortunately, the irritation does not cause permanent damage to the pulp. Dentin may be exposed when gums recede. The result can be hypersensitivity near the gum line.
Proper oral hygiene is the key to preventing gums from receding and causing sensitive-tooth pain. If you brush your teeth incorrectly or even over-brush, gum problems can result. Ask our dentists at Redmond Molloy if you have any questions about your daily oral hygiene routine.
Treating Sensitive Teeth
Sensitive teeth can be treated. Our dentists at Redmond Molloy may suggest that you try a desensitizing toothpaste, which contains compounds that help block transmission of sensation from the tooth surface to the nerve. Desensitizing toothpaste usually requires several applications before the sensitivity is reduced.
With thanks To Colgate for the image
If the desensitizing toothpaste does not ease your discomfort, your dentist may suggest in-office techniques. A fluoride gel, which strengthens tooth enamel and reduces the transmission of sensations, may be applied to the sensitive areas of the teeth.
If receding gums cause the sensitivity, your dentist may use agents that bond to the tooth root to "seal" the sensitive teeth. The sealer usually is composed of a plastic material such as white filling material.
In cases where hypersensitivity is severe and persistent and cannot be treated by other means, your dentist may recommend root canal treatment to eliminate the problem.
