When you suffer from tooth sensitivity, life is not cool like it used to be. Certain common activities like eating, drinking, brushing the teeth, and others are likely to trigger sharp and shooting pain. There are mainly two causes behind this oral health problem –
- Worn out of the tooth enamel or
- Exposed roots of the tooth
In certain cases, discomfort in the tooth is also caused by other issues like a cavity, worn-out filling, a tooth that is cracked or chipped, and even gum disease.
But first, let us get a clear-cut idea of what the problem of tooth sensitivity is.
Tooth Sensitivity – A Basic Understanding
Tooth sensitivity is a condition where the underlying layer of our tooth gets exposed. This underlying layer is called dentin.
The roots of a tooth contain an uncountable number of tiny tubules. These tubules lead to the pulp or the center of the tooth. These tubules are responsible for our stimulus. Thus we register anything hot, cold, sour, sweet, or bitter because of the tubules. When the enamel layer of the tooth gets compromised the roots of the tooth get uncovered and exposed. Thus you feel sharp, shooting pain.
You should not take the problem of tooth sensitivity lightly. If you suffer from it then you must book an appointment with your dentist and get the problem sorted. A dentist is the best person to find out the actual reason behind the pain and discomfort in your tooth. Once the actual reason gets identified resolving the problem becomes easier. Modern dentistry offers a number of procedures to cure tooth sensitivity.
Depending on your condition your dentist may prescribe you any of the following to cure the problem.
- Desensitising Toothpaste – In many cases of tooth sensitivity desensitizing toothpaste proves helpful in giving relief from the pain and discomfort. However, you have to be patient in applying this special variety of toothpaste. The result may come only after several applications. In the treatment for sensitive teeth if you expect solutions to arrive overnight using desensitizing toothpaste it is better to tell you that is not usually possible. Different varieties of this toothpaste are available in the market. Some are even available over the counter (OTC) at chemist shops and supermarkets. It is best to request your dentist to recommend you one that works best in your case.
- Use of Fluoride – Applying fluoride to the sensitive areas of the tooth is also a reliable option for dentists to give you relief from the problem. This strengthens the enamel of the tooth and as a result, the pain subsides. Considering the level of your problem a dentist may even tell you to use prescription fluoride at home. This therapy is done using a custom tray and it often proves effective in eliminating the pain and discomfort.
- Desensitizing or Resin Bonding – In certain cases related to tooth sensitivity dentists rely on bonding resin to mask up the exposed surfaces of the tooth root. In this procedure, a patient may require local anesthesia to dull the pain and inconvenience experienced during the procedure.
- Surgical Grafting of the Gum – Sometimes tooth sensitivity is caused as a result of lost tissues in the gum. As the gum tissue is lost it exposes the root of the tooth. In these cases, dentists rely on a procedure called gum grafting. It is an invasive procedure and involves little surgery. A tiny amount of gum tissue is extracted from a different location of your mouth. It is then applied to the affected area through grafting. Thus the exposed roots of the tooth get covered again and your problem gets resolved. This is a common dental treatment for sensitive teeth.
- Root Canal Treatment or RCT – In severe cases of tooth sensitivity a patient is usually exposed to severe pain and discomfort. In such cases, other procedures usually do not prove very effective. That is why dentists recommend root canal treatment or RCT for those patients. A root canal is a procedure in which the problem of tooth sensitivity is treated right in the soft core of the affected tooth. This soft core is more popularly called the dental pulp. As mentioned earlier this procedure is applied only in extreme cases of tooth sensitivity when all other options fail. This is also one of the most effective procedures to give permanent relief from pain and discomfort to patients suffering from sensitive teeth.
How You Can Prevent Tooth Sensitivity
It is far better to be careful about avoiding the problem of tooth sensitivity in the first place. Here are a few tried and tested tips that prove helpful.
- Brush the teeth properly twice a day.
- Use a toothbrush that has soft bristles and any fluoride toothpaste.
- Hold the toothbrush at an angle of about 45 degrees with the teeth and apply gentle pressure on the hand while brushing.
- Brush in small circular motions and cover all three surfaces of the teeth.
- Never brush the teeth vigorously and no harsh scrubbing.
- Do not use any abrasive toothpaste. It may wear out the tooth enamel.
- Flossing the teeth regularly is also important to prevent issues with sensitive teeth.
- If you suffer from teeth grinding or bruxism then your dentist will know it while diagnosing your mouth in real time. in that case, your dentist can provide you with a custom-fitted mouth guard to protect the teeth from damage resulting from wear and tear.
A sensitive dentist in London with years of experience in sensitive teeth treatment in London says teeth grinding is one of the most serious causes behind developing sensitivity in the tooth. it leads to fractures in the teeth.
You should also practice a little precaution in consuming acidic food and drinks. Common acidic drinks that we consume are wine and carbonated drinks. Citrus fruits are the common acidic food items that we consume habitually. These foods and drinks are likely to erode away a little of the enamel from the teeth every time. In the opinion of dentists working at Thousand Smiles it is better to use a straw while having your fuzzy drinks. After consuming anything acidic it is important to rinse the mouth well with plain water to remove the acidic effect from the mouth.
