Tooth sensitivity is one of the most frustrating dental problem one can bear. It is a common name for “Dentin Hypersensitivity” or root sensitivity which means pain or discomfort in the teeth as a response to certain stimuli, such as sweet or very acidic foods and drinks and hot or cold temperatures. When you have tooth sensitivity, breathing in just cold air through your mouth can cause discomfort.
Tooth sensitivity is usually caused by dentin on root areas exposed due to receded gums or periodontal disease. Receded gums are very common and up to four fifths (4/5) of people have gum recession around the age of sixty-five (65).
When the root of a tooth is exposed, it does not have a layer of enamel like the crowns of your teeth. Instead, the roots have a very soft covering called cementum, which provide attachment to the collagen fibres present in the periodontal ligament. Excessive brushing or using a very abrasive toothpaste used to clean the surface of the teeth by rubbing or grinding away some part can also cause abrasion of the tooth’s enamel surface and expose dentin. A very acidic diet – for example a diet with a lot of citrus food, pickles or soda-pop (a beverage consisting of soda water, flavoring, and a sweet syrup) can cause tooth erosion and dissolve the tooth surface, exposing the dentin. Bulimia and GERD can also result in dental erosion and sensitivity due to acid in the mouth.
When teeth are sensitive it can be painful to brush them and if you brush poorly because of pain then there is more risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Pain after hot, cold, sweet or acidic food and drinks can also be a sign of decay with a cavity or hole in the tooth, or a sign of a broken tooth, and if this is the case your dentist will treat you with a filling or other treatment.
It may be temporary or a chronic problem and it can affect one tooth, several teeth, or all the teeth in a single individual. It can have a number of different causes, but most cases of sensitive teeth are easily treated with a change in your oral hygiene regimen.
You can reduce your chances of getting tooth sensitivity by keeping your mouth as healthy as possible with good oral hygiene to help prevent receding gums and periodontal disease. Brushing and flossing properly as recommended by your dentist or hygienist and using a low abrasion toothpaste can help reduce the chance that you will have tooth sensitivity. A diet that is not acidic also helps prevent tooth sensitivity. Ignoring your sensitive teeth can lead to other oral health problems, especially if the pain causes you to brush poorly making you vulnerable to tooth decay and gum disease.
If you grind your teeth — a condition called bruxism — you can wear down the enamel, which could trigger sensitivity, says Ferraz-Dougherty. Since people commonly grind their teeth at night, talk to your dentist about being fitted for a mouth guard that you can wear while you sleep. Another suggestion: Because tooth grinding is often a sign of stress, you may also need to incorporate more de-stressing lifestyle changes into your day (think: exercising, meditation, and more), advises the ADA.
To treat tooth sensitivity, your dentist or hygienist may recommend that you use a low abrasion toothpaste specially made for sensitive teeth — a desensitizing toothpaste. These toothpastes will make the teeth less sensitive if you brush with them twice a day and also contain fluoride to help protect your teeth against decay. Alternatively, your dentist may prescribe a brush-on fluoride gel or a fluoride rinse, or a high fluoride level toothpaste (such as Sendodyne) that may have desensitizing ingredients that help block the discomfort from traveling to the nerve of the tooth thus making your teeth less sensitive and provide you with extra protection against decay.
When it comes to mouthwash (fluoride mouthwash), choose an alcohol-free mouth rinse, as it will be less irritating to sensitive teeth. Using softer toothbrushes and brushing more gently can also help. Soft toothbrushes will be labeled as such. These can help to strengthen the enamel and protect your teeth.
It typically takes several applications for these remedies to work. You should see an improvement within a week.
Other treatments for sensitive teeth that your dentist or hygienist can provide in the dental office are also available. These include treatments that are painted onto the teeth — such as fluoride varnishes and plastic resins, lasers and fillings if a lot of tooth area has been lost.
Take care of your teeth and remain healthy.
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