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Tooth Sensitivity
 | Do you have or do you know someone who has sensitive
teeth? |
| Are your teeth sensitive to brushing, hot and cold
temperatures and chewing? |
Those symptoms can be caused by decay, a dying nerve, grinding
or even a fractured tooth. This can also occur when the inside layer of
the tooth known as dentin becomes exposed, leading to hypersensitivity.
Hypersensitivity can be treated at home and over time with desensitizing
toothpaste. In-office treatment involves application of fluoride,
oxalates, strontium chloride gels and sealants. All are very effective in
treating hypersensitivity.
What is tooth sensitivity?
It can be defined as a painful reaction in one or more
teeth triggered by hot, cold, sweet, or sour foods and drinks. This pain can be
sharp, sudden and shoot deep into the nerve endings of your teeth.
Apart from a cavity or a missing filling, the most common
cause of tooth sensitivity is exposed dentin on the roots of your teeth.
Normally, the dentin (the second, more sensitive layer of the tooth) is
surrounded and protected by your enamel, cementum (special root covering) and
gums. The cause or mechanism of dentinal sensitivity is still not well
understood. It is believed that the little tubes that connect the dentin to the
nerve or pulp serve as sensory conductors. That sensation may be one of pain.
OUCH!!!
Causes of tooth sensitivity:
| Brushing too hard -
Over a period of time, brushing too hard or using a hard-bristled toothbrush
may wear away enamel or cementum and cause the dentin to be exposed. |
| Recession of the gums -
Movement of gums away from the tooth due to periodontal disease will expose
the root surface. |
| Gum disease -
Inflamed and sore gum tissue may also cause sensitivity due to the loss of
supporting ligaments which exposes root surface. |
Other causes of sensitive teeth:
| Cracked teeth -
Chipped or broken teeth may fill up with bacteria from plaque and enter the
pulp causing an inflammatory reaction. |
| Grinding your teeth
- Grinding or clenching your teeth may wear down the enamel and expose
underlying dentin. |
| Plaque- The
presence of plaque on the root surfaces can cause sensitivity. |
What to do for sensitive teeth:
| Maintain good oral hygiene
- Continue to clean all parts of your teeth and mouth thoroughly. |
| Use a soft bristled toothbrush
-This will result in less toothbrush abrasion of the tooth surface. |
| Use desensitizing toothpaste
- There are many on the market. With regular use you should feel a decreased
sensitivity. Try spreading a thin layer on the exposed roots with your
finger or a Q-tip before you go to bed. You'll need to find the product that
works for you, likely through trial and error. |
| Consider what you eat -
If you frequently eat foods high in acids, such as citrus fruits (example:
sucking on lemons), they can gradually dissolve the enamel over time,
leading to dentin exposure. The citric acids may aggravate the
hypersensitivity and initiate a painful reaction. |
| Use fluoridated dental products
- As an example,with a daily application of a fluoridated mouthrinse,
hypersensitivity usually decreases. Ask your dental hygienist about a daily
fluoride rinse for home use. |
Professional Care:
Ask your oral health professional, for example a dental
hygienist or dentist, about professional products that may be used to help
reduce sensitivity. Some of the most common treatments are:
| white fillings to cover exposed root surfaces |
| fluoride varnish applied to the exposed root surface |
| dentin sealer applied to the exposed root surface |
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