Having to take a pass on enjoying
an ice cream cone makes life a little
less sweet.
You may worry that something
is seriously wrong if you frequently
experience pain when you eat
or drink something hot, cold or sour.
Sensitive teeth are a common issue
that tends to get worse with age.
Take action by using one or more
of these methods to help you
find relief.
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Teeth whitening products temporarily
soften tooth enamel.
Make sure that you only use products
that your dentist recommends.
If you’ve been overusing products
at home, reducing their use may ease
the sensitivity.
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Cavities and cracked teeth tend
to cause significant sensitivity.
The break in the surface of the enamel
allows the food and drinks you consume
to activate the pain response.
We may recommend a filling
or a crown to fix this problem.
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People who consume acidic drinks
and food often deal with sensitivity.
The acids gradually wear away the
tooth enamel, which eventually leads
to more of the dentin being exposed.
Fluoride helps to remineralize tooth
enamel, which is why we provide
fluoride treatments in our office,
and may also prescribe a special
mouth rinse to use at home.
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Toothpastes that are designed
to ease sensitivity often contain
fluoride and other active ingredients
that block the dentinal tubules that
run to the nerve.
Keep in mind that this solution won’t
fix cavities and other tooth trauma.
It can help in cases of root exposure
and mild acid erosion.
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Gum recession may occur naturally
with age.
Or, gum disease may cause the tissue
around your teeth to recede.
In addition to treating any underlying
disease, we can use dental bonding
materials to cover up
the exposed roots.
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Severe gum disease or trauma
can cause the gum line to recede
and expose large portions
of the tooth root.
When this happens, gum grafting
can help to rebuild the area.
This treatment can also help
to provide more support to your
teeth so that you have less shifting.
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Clenching and grinding your teeth
at night places pressure on the soft
ligaments that hold your teeth
in place.
When you wake up, you may notice
tooth sensitivity that comes from
an irritated nerve, as well as muscle
soreness in your jaw.
If this goes on too long, you may also
experience cracked teeth.
We can often identify nighttime
teeth grinding by the damage
that occurs on the back molars.
A night guard takes the pressure
off of your teeth while you sleep.
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The center of your teeth is filled
with a soft material that contains
blood vessels, nerves
and connective tissue.
This material can get inflamed from
an infection or repeated trauma.
A root canal removes this tissue
and provides prompt and long-lasting
relief from pain.
Although we usually use this as a last
resort, it is an effective way
to end pain that doesn’t respond
to other treatments.
Figuring out what makes your teeth
sensitive is easier with a dental exam.
After we check your teeth and gums,
we’ll provide you with a targeted
treatment plan.
Once you know why your teeth hurt,
you can use a combination
of professional treatments
and home care to restore your comfort.
Most cases of sensitivity clear up quickly
once we address the underlying cause.