Does ice cream or hot coffee, or even brushing your teeth make you wince? Do you get a twinge of pain – or even worse – from hot or cold or sweet foods?
You may have a common dental problem called sensitive teeth.
There are a number of causes of this uncomfortable condition. Some of them include worn tooth enamel, decay, tooth roots that are exposed at the gumline from aggressive brushing or gum disease, worn or leaky fillings or crowns, or cracks in teeth.
Teeth are protected by enamel above the gumline and by cementum on the roots. Under enamel or cementum is the basic structure of teeth, called dentin. Dentin has tiny channels called tubules that run from the inner pulp of the tooth to the place where the dentin joins the enamel or cementum.
In these tubules is fluid and also some very fine nerve fibers.
When the enamel or cementum is worn or damaged, these little nerve fibers can get stimulated and that causes the "ouch".
Sorry. Sensitive teeth can really take them pleasure out of eating some foods we really like.
So what to do? Here are some things to think about:
1. Good oral hygiene tools and techniques are very important. Aggressive equipment and aggressive technique can cause the damage that makes teeth sensitive, as well as damaging tooth surfaces and making them need repair. In our office we definitely spend plenty of time helping our patients get equipped with terrific tools and learn how to use them so they not only prevent disease but also do not cause harm. What you use and how you use it matters.
2. Grinding your teeth, especially in sleep, can cause amazing tooth wear. If you do this and are not aware of it (most people are not), there are effective ways we can help you with to prevent damage. This kind of grinding is also an important cause of severe headaches, sometimes diagnosed as migraine (there is a blog on this here if you are interested). If you have worn down your teeth (hint: lower front teeth are not supposed to be flat on top) have that taken care of.
3. Get worn out fillings and crowns and bridges replaced. If a tooth is cracked internally dentists can detect this and take care of it. This also helps prevent other problems.
4. Prevent gum disease, or if you have it, get it taken care of. Periodontal disease is very treatable. Take a look at our blog on periodontal disease. Gum disease is the reason that most adult teeth are lost. Gum disease can cause gum recession and exposed roots, which wear and become (you guessed it) sensitive.
For minor sensitivity, all that may be needed is for you to use a special toothpaste that helps some people. These toothpastes work by helping to block sensations from moving from the surface of the teeth to the nerve fibers inside. Sometimes they take a while to work.
Fluoride gels or rinses can sometimes help with mild sensitivity. Again, dentists know how to recommend what's right for you.
Dentists can protect sensitive surfaces with bonding resins that block the tooth surface and reduce sensitivity.
If you have lost a lot of gum tissue and have exposed roots, gum tissue grafting can often replace that coverage.
A last resort might be to remove the nerve tissues from the inside of the tooth ( root canal therapy).
But the bottom line is that you do not have to live with this kind of sensitivity. Get help. Dentists know what to do to help you enjoy eating again.
Don’t live with pain.
If you would like more information, or would like us to take a look at your situation, all you have to do is call or send an e-mail. We'll be glad to advise you.
Bon Appetit!
