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Lemesos Dental ClinicFor millions of people, sensitive teeth can make life miserable. The pain and discomfort make even favourite hot or cold foods impossible to enjoy. All is not lost. In many cases, sensitive teeth can be successfully treated bringing long sought after relief.
What Causes Sensitive Teeth (Dentin Hypersensitivity)?
Usually tooth sensitivity (dentin hypersensitivity) presents as temporary tooth discomfort or pain after eating cold food, drinking cold liquids, or breathing cold air. (If the pain is very high in intensity and prolonged, see your dentist because this may be a sign of an unhealthy tooth nerve).
Most commonly, the problem begins when the gums recede. Like a protective blanket, the gums cover the roots of teeth (see diagram below). As gums recede, the underlying tooth roots are exposed. Gums commonly recede for one of two reasons:
- Improper heavy handed brushing of the teeth. It is estimated that 50-90% of people brush with too much pressure. Over weeks, months and years of brushing they remove significant gum tissue exposing the tooth roots.
- Poor oral hygiene can lead to plaque build-up around teeth and gums. Over time this plaque hardens into tartar. Bacteria in this tartar are responsible for the gingivitis and periodontal disease that cause gum recession.
The exposed roots contain small pores or tubules which lead directly to the nerve of the tooth. Pain, pressure, and cold stimuli can travel down the tubules and trigger the tooth nerve causing pain and discomfort. Normally, the gums cover the tooth root helping to prevent stimuli from reaching these pores.
Preventing Sensitive Teeth (Dentin Hypersensitivity)
The key to preventing tooth sensitivity is to keep the gums from receding. Reducing the pressure we use to brush our teeth helps tremendously. The problem with this is that our tooth brushing is an unconsciously ingrained habit reinforced after decades of brushing and therefore nearly impossible to change. We advise people to use advanced electric toothbrushes or extra soft toothbrushes.
Preventing gingivitis and periodontal disease with proper oral hygiene is also crucial in preventing gum recession. Remember, it takes 2 to 3 minutes to properly brush all your tooth surfaces. Most people spend less than 45 seconds leaving areas untouched where plaque and tartar can build up. Flossing or interdental brushes is crucial in order to reach the 35% of the tooth surfaces where brushing can not reach.
Treating Sensitive Teeth (Dentin Hypersensitivity)
What can you do once you already experience sensitive teeth? Sensitivity toothpastes containing potassium nitrate can also help reduce tooth sensitivity. These toothpastes desensitize the tooth nerve directly. Treating teeth with fluoride mouthwashes also can help reduce tooth sensitivity.
After a few weeks of use the sensitivity usually goes away.
Additionally, highly acidic foods (citrus, soda pop, tea) can increase sensitivity and work against the sensitivity toothpaste.
A major advance in treatment has been the introduction of sensitivity toothpastes containing strontium chloride. These products, coax the minerals in your saliva to crystallize and cover the pores in your exposed roots so that cold stimuli can not reach the tooth nerve.
If you cannot get relief by brushing gently and using sensitivity toothpaste, your dentist has several options for relief. Your dentist can use “oxalate” compounds that, when rubbed on the root, will reduce if not eliminate the sensitivity. Many dentists prescribe high fluoride content mouthwashes which can help reduce tooth sensitivity.
Some of the most common treatments only from Dentists are:
- white fillings to cover exposed root surfaces
- fluoride varnish applied to the exposed root surface
- dentin sealer applied to the exposed root surface “bonding agents”