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All Posts in Category: Tooth Sensitivity

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toothache teeth sensitivity

Best Treatments For Teeth Sensitivity

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Teeth sensitivity is often caused by receding or damaged enamel. Tooth sensitivity can also be caused by cracked, decayed, or fractured teeth. A toothache is usually an indication that tooth decay has reached the tooth’s nerve. Therefore, treatment should be started as soon as possible. It is essential to rule out other causes of toothache as too many possibilities exist. A proper treatment plan can usually control tooth sensitivity. Sensitivity will vary from person to person and often worsen with time. People may need more frequent treatments to achieve the same results with time. Here are some tips to help reduce tooth sensitivity. Procedures like teeth whitening can often have an impact on tooth sensitivity, but there’s always a solution. Let’s read on to see how you can help minimize teeth sensitivity.

Desensitizing toothpaste

Desensitizing toothpaste is most commonly used for people with permanent teeth. Tooth sensitivity makes it hard to eat, speak or drink hot and cold foods and beverages. There are even some teeth that are sensitive to sweet foods and drinks. Teeth with this condition are often diagnosed as having “cavities” by a dentist, but the real problem is caused by the loss of enamel on the biting surface of the tooth called the dentin.

Root Canal Therapy

Root canal therapy is the most common treatment for teeth that are exposed and have no pulp or nerve left in them. A root canal procedure can treat teeth that have these types of problems. Usually, the term “root canal” refers to a tooth that has broken down and has become infected with bacteria. When a tooth becomes abscessed, the only way to save it is to perform root canal therapy. Root canal therapy is also called endodontic therapy. The endodontist treats diseased pulp-producing tissues inside the tooth, known as “endodontic” tissues.

Fluoride Gel

This type of gel is applied to sensitive teeth. It is applied once or twice a day and each time after brushing the teeth with fluoride toothpaste. Research has shown that sensitized teeth treated with regular fluoride gel can become much less sensitive over time. The treatment for sensitive teeth will include instructions about how often to apply the gel and how long after you begin treatment. The intervention can be used before meals on tooth brushing time in the morning.

Mouthwash

This is the most commonly used treatment for teeth sensitivity. It consists of a special mouth rinse and helps to disinfect gums and kill bacteria that cause tooth decay, plaque, and bad breath. The mouthwash often contains fluoride or chlorhexidine, which reduces the risk of gingivitis and periodontitis, both chronic diseases that cause infection of the gums and bone around the teeth. The right amount of mouthwash solution is usually applied twice a day after daily brushing with fluoride-containing toothpaste.

Surgical Gum Grafting

This is a surgical procedure that is performed if the tooth sensitivity is caused by receding gums and bone around the teeth. Surgical gum grafts are helpful if the cause of tooth sensitivity is due to periodontitis. Gum grafts are also used to cover exposed root surfaces or fill in spaces between teeth. It is an aesthetic procedure that improves one’s appearance on facial features, especially for people with crooked teeth, gaps, or missing teeth.

Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are caps placed on top of cracked or decayed teeth to give them support and make them strong again. A dental crown can also be used to cover a tooth that has undergone root canal treatment. The dental crown prevents bacteria from entering the tooth and causing further damage. It also reduces sensitivity to cold and hot foods and drinks. The dentist will clean your teeth, shape the tooth and then take an impression of your teeth. The dentist will send the impression to a dental lab, where a custom-made crown is made for you based on your impression.

Avoid Acidic Foods

The acidic foods include hard or processed cheeses, red wine, canned tomatoes, pickles, and citrus fruits. Eating these foods often worsens the condition of the tooth that is sensitive. When you eat these foods, they can react with the tooth enamel and cause tooth sensitivity. Most people find that avoiding these food items helps control their sensitivity.

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teeth whitening for sensitive teeth

Teeth Whitening Options for Sensitive Teeth

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Be cautious when choosing your teeth whitening products

A majority of the tooth whitening products available on the market today contain either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. The quantities of these two ingredients will vary from product to product. However, even small amounts of these two ingredients can cause tooth irritation, thus leading to mild or severe tooth sensitivity. The irritation arises when the peroxide penetrates the tooth enamel to reach the softer layers where the tooth nerves lie.

The use of whitening gels also exposes the tiny pores in your teeth, leading to teeth dehydration. This moisture loss makes the teeth more sensitive to touch; only after your teeth have rehydrated will the sensitivity disappear. The degree and duration of tooth sensitivity will vary depending on the peroxide concentration in the whitening gel.

As always, consult with your local dentist or the American Dental Association before applying products to your teeth or gums.

Teeth whitening services by dentists

Professional whitening by an accredited dentist ranks as one of the best options for teeth sensitivity issues. Professional whitening procedures, though a little bit more costly than over-the-counter teeth whiteners are a safer option than homemade bleaching gels because they allow your dentist to monitor your progress throughout the treatment carefully.

In-office Zoom! teeth whitening is an example of a professional whitening procedure. It entails the insertion of a tooth retractor to expose the affected teeth. The dentist will then apply a resin or rubber casing on the impacted teeth to the peroxide from causing gum irritation which is the primary cause of teeth sensitivity. The dentist will apply a thin coat of bleaching gel on your teeth for a period of 15 to 30 minutes.

Should you opt for a professional whitening kit, the expert will study your dental formula, which will be used to design a whitening tray. The professional kit will comprise of the whitening tray and a suitable bleaching gel for home use. Most whitening trays are meant to last for up to two weeks.
Porcelain and resin veneers

Porcelain and composite veneers are ideal for people with severe teeth staining that cannot go away after conventional whitening procedures. The porcelain veneers attach to the tooth enamel. To install porcelain veneers, your dentist fixes tailor-made shells on top of each tooth. Porcelain veneers are popular because of their high resistance to staining. The high tensile strength of porcelain makes it ideal as a tooth veneer.

Composite resin veneers can be a safer option if the tooth sensitivity is due to enamel erosion. The resin is a shaded material that binds to each tooth rather than covering the tooth enamel. Though not as strong as porcelain, composite resins are still a good option because they are affordable and maintainable. It is advisable to talk to your dentist or guidance on the most suitable veneer if you have tooth sensitivity issues.

Best practices to maintain teeth whiteness for sensitive teeth

It is essential to carefully through product labels before purchasing any whitening gel or toothpaste. Though some whitening products are specially formulated for sensitive teeth, reading the product erases the doubt that you won’t worsen an already delicate situation. Lastly, instead of opting for peroxide-rich whitening gels, you can consider using fluoride gels and fluoride-rich toothpaste because of their teeth strengthening qualities.

You don’t have to live with stained teeth because of acute sensitivity. Your favorite dental team can help you reclaim your smile by suggesting a suitable whitener that will lead to brighter and stronger teeth.

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Tooth Sensitivity: Diagnosis, Treatment, Relief & More

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Sensitive teeth are a common dental health issue that most people experience at least once in their life. While your first thought may be that you have cavities when you feel pain as you eat or drink something cold, hot or sweet, the truth is that there are many different reasons for tooth sensitivity. Understanding why this sensitivity happens helps you work with your dentist to find the best treatment to bring you relief.

What Do Sensitive Teeth Feel Like?

In most cases, pain as you eat or breathe through your mouth are the first signs of sensitivity. Unlike severe dental pain, you will most likely feel a brief instance of discomfort that quickly goes away once the irritating factor is removed.

Hot, cold and acidic foods are the most common irritants for to a sensitive tooth, but you may also feel pain if cold air hits your teeth. People often complain that they briefly feel pain when they first bite into something with an extreme temperature such as ice cream or very hot coffee.

What Makes Teeth Sensitive?

Approximately half of the adult population has tooth sensitivity, and your risk of developing it goes up with age. This condition has several different causes that your dentist will look for during your appointment. Gum recession, enamel erosion, tooth decay and cracks in your teeth are a few of the most common reasons why you may suddenly be dealing with sensitivity in your teeth.

According to the American Dental Association:

In healthy teeth, a layer of enamel protects the crowns of your teeth—the part above the gum line. Under the gum line a layer called cementum protects the tooth root. Underneath both the enamel and the cementum is dentin.

Dentin is less dense than enamel and cementum and contains microscopic tubules (small hollow tubes or canals). When dentin loses its protective covering of enamel or cementum these tubules allow heat and cold or acidic or sticky foods to reach the nerves and cells inside the tooth. Dentin may also be exposed when gums recede. The result can be hypersensitivity.

What is Gum Recession?

Your gums are made up of soft tissue that responds to changes in your overall health and lifestyle. Gum disease is the primary cause of recession since the tissue naturally begins to erode and pull away from the teeth as infection sets in. You can also irritate your gums by being too aggressive with your oral hygiene routine. Brushing too rough or using a brush with hard bristles can cause your gums to recede.

Once your gums recede enough, you can begin to see the yellowish part of your tooth root peeking through. This has less enamel and more dentin at the surface, which is sensitive to temperatures and acids in your food. Sadly, your gums do not grow back once they are gone or receded. However, your dentist does have treatment options that can stop the recession and help cover any exposed tooth roots. Gum treatment and health are important for overall healthy oral health.

Can Sensitivity Come and Go?

One of the most confusing aspects of tooth sensitivity is that it can come and go. This can cause you to think that the problem is over until it comes back again. Your mouth is constantly undergoing changes as it is bombarded by things such as the food you eat and even the environment in which you are living. You may not feel sensitivity for a few days if food particles or plaque temporarily blocks an exposed root or fills in a cavity. Alternatively, you may just not feel pain because you haven’t eaten anything hot or cold enough in the past few days. If your sensitivity is caused by something such as nighttime tooth grinding, then it may also go away during periods when you are not engaging in the behavior.

Is Tooth Sensitivity Preventable?

As with many dental health conditions, prevention is your best bet toward avoiding long term pain. Although you cannot stop the natural recession that occurs with aging, you can develop lifestyle habits that helps to slow the process. For instance, you may need to have your dentist check your tooth-brushing technique to make sure that you are not putting unnecessary pressure on the sensitive gum tissue. You can also make sure to treat tooth decay and the signs of gum disease as early as possible so that they do not lead to lingering pain.

How Do Dentists Treat Sensitive Teeth?

A diagnosis for a sensitivity tooth is often done after a thorough exam that identities all possible causes. Your treatment plan is developed to address each potential cause for the pain you feel in your teeth. In some cases, your dentist may recommend getting cavities filled or having a special cleaning to halt gum disease in its tracks. You may also be prescribed a special mouth rinse or toothpaste that helps to reduce sensitivity along the gum line and tooth root. If you grind your teeth at night, then you might need to wear a mouthguard as you sleep.

Getting to the bottom of tooth sensitivity requires you to work closely with your dentist to identify the cause so that you receive the appropriate treatment. Remember that pain should never be considered normal when you eat or breathe, so be sure to mention it at your next appointment. If your tooth sensitivity is mild, then it could be as simple as using a prescribed toothpaste or switching up your technique to bring back your comfort.

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