Do you experience discomfort or pain in your teeth when eating ice cream or something cold or hot? If so, you probably have teeth sensitivity. When your teeth are sensitive, activities like drinking, eating, and brushing can cause your teeth to experience mild to severe temporary pain. However, this may also occur due to other factors such as gum disease, worn fillings, chipped or cracked teeth.
Sensitivity occurs because of the exposure of the tooth’s porous tissue known as dentin. Are you struggling with this problem? It would be imperative to visit a Phoenix periodontist, Dr. Trijillo, for examination and possible treatment. Read on to learn what causes tooth sensitivity and what to do about it.
Common Factors Leading to Tooth Sensitivity
Sensitivity primarily occurs when your tooth loses enamel, its protective outer covering. The enamel protects everything inside the tooth including dentine and the nerves.
If the enamel becomes too thin acidity, cold, and heat can penetrate to the tooth’s nerves and cells, causing sensitivity. Enamel loss can occur due to several factors, including:
Tooth Root Exposure
Your gums may recede if you brush too hard or if you develop gum disease. This exposes the tooth root and can lead to sensitivity. The enamel does not cover the root as it does the crown, which means it offers less delicate nerve protection.
Dental Decay
Sometimes, you may have tooth sensitivity because of a severe underlying oral issue like undetected tooth decay. For example, when your tooth has a cavity, the enamel weakens. This means the outside temperatures can affect the internal nerves, leading to pain and sensitivity.
Cracked Tooth
A microscopic crack will also weaken the enamel. Typically, an accident or normal wear and tear can cause small cracks. If you leave them unattended, your tooth’s internal structure can become exposed to bacteria, leading to an infection that requires specialized treatment.
Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
Teeth grinding or bruxism is a condition in which a patent grinds their teeth unconsciously. It happens especially during sleep and can cause wear and tear to the enamel. If this occurs, your tooth develops sensitivity to cold and hot temperatures. If you have tooth sensitivity, visit a qualified periodontist for treatment. You don’t want the problem to advance and cause more dental issues.
How Dr. Trujillo Can Help Sensitive Teeth
A sensitive tooth is one of the dental problems you don’t want to live with. Visit an experienced and skilled periodontist to evaluate your situation and provide the necessary treatment. Here are treatment options you can expect:
Fluoride Application
One of the common ways you deal with tooth sensitivity is by applying fluoride varnish to sensitive teeth. This can strengthen your enamel and reduce dentin dehydration and help reduce discomfort and pain. Your periodontist can also apply a fluoride gel to the sensitive teeth and achieve the same goal.
Covering Root Surfaces
Again, your gums can recede due to gum disease, exposing your tooth’s root. If this happens, you’re likely to struggle with sensitivity. Bonding agents can be a suitable treatment option.
In this treatment, our periodontist, Dr. Trujillo, will cover the affected area of your tooth with a specific sealant. For example, sealing the exposed root surface ensures your tooth won’t be exposed to the elements that can cause tooth sensitivity.
Using a Mouth Guard
Bruxism or teeth grinding is one of the issues that can cause sensitivity. If this is your case, Dr. Trujillo can use a mouth guard to solve the problem. He will use your teeth model to design a mouth guard for wear during the night. The mouthguard can be an effective treatment option because it prevents your teeth from damage due to grinding. If your jaw point experiences pain, this can also be an effective periodontal treatment option.
Root Canal Treatment
If you try all the above methods without success, but your teeth sensitivity impacts your day-to-day activities, you may have a more serious condition. You may have an infection deep inside your tooth. In this case, Dr. Trujillo may recommend root canal treatment. The procedure replaces the sensitive pulp in your tooth with composite material and effectively solves your tooth sensitivity problems.
How to Avoid Tooth Sensitivity
You don’t have to pass on cold or hot drinks anymore because of tooth sensitivity. There are measures you can take to avoid developing tooth sensitivity or treat sensitivity. These may include avoiding acidic drinks and foods. Consuming high-sugar-carbs, sticky candy, and soda can be detrimental to your enamel’s strength.
Raw fruits and vegetables and water have the right amount of vitamins and minerals that strengthen the enamel and can fight bacteria and acid that cause oral problems. Chewing sugarless gum can also be helpful to remove bacteria. If you consume an acidic snack or food, you should avoid brushing your teeth immediately because this can cause sensitivity. Instead, you should wait several hours.
Use Garlic
While you’re likely to dislike the strong garlic smell, it has essential compounds helpful for oral health maintenance. For example, allicin is one of the compounds found in high amounts in garlic. It’s a pain-relieving and antibacterial compound. Allicin can be a suitable natural remedy for teeth sensitivity because it soothes pain and reduces bacteria growth.
Use of Salt Water Mouthwash
Saltwater mouthwash can be a quick remedy for your tooth sensitivity. The solution balances your mouth’s pH level and creates an alkaline environment that’s not suitable for the growth of bacteria. It can also reduce plaque formation. You can make a saltwater mouthwash by mixing a cup of warm water with two teaspoons of salt. Use at night and in the morning until the tooth sensitivity reduces.
Use Soft Toothbrushes
One of the most straightforward tips you can implement to deal with tooth sensitivity is using a soft toothbrush. If the toothbrush you use has stiff bristles, this could worsen your condition. For example, abrasive toothpaste and stiff bristles can be hard on your enamel and cause microscopic holes to develop on your enamel, leading to tooth sensitivity. If your tooth sensitivity increases after brushing your teeth, you may want to change your toothbrush. Ensure you use one with soft bristles and brush your teeth gently to avoid damaging your tooth’s enamel.
Are you struggling with tooth sensitivity? This can be a daunting experience as it causes pain and discomfort. You can avoid this by seeking the help of experienced periodontist Dr. Trujillo for treatment. Find more information schedule an appointment for a consultation.
