Suggestions from Your Local Dentist for Dealing Sensitive Teeth

If you have sensitive teeth, visit our dentist office.  We will examine you to determine if there are any cavities or gum disease that could be creating the issue.  If you have a cavity, your teeth will be sensitive overall, and the only way to deal with it is to remove the infection.  Simultaneously, if you have gum disease, your gums need to be thoroughly cleaned.  This involves removing bacteria from underneath the gums as well.  If the gum disease is really bad, you may need a gum graft procedure in order to cover up the exposed area of the tooth and roots.  By removing any infection, your teeth should start to feel better. If, however, there is no infection – your tooth sensitivity is likely caused by the loss of enamel.  Your teeth are made of dentin that is covered with a layer of enamel and a layer of cementum underneath the gums.  These materials protect the dentin and your tooth’s roots.  They are extremely important because the dentin is full of holes that transmit sensations to the roots of your tooth. Once the dentin is exposed, your teeth will naturally start to hurt. The process of losing your enamel is called demineralization and very common as you age.  More seniors complain of sensitive teeth than twenty-year-olds.  You can help to prevent this process by using toothpaste that contains fluoride on a daily basis.  You can also strengthen your teeth by changing your diet.  Eating nuts, dairy, green leafy vegetables, and crunchy fruits and veggies will all help your teeth to become stronger and can even remineralize teeth that have started to lose their enamel.  As a local dentist, we can also help by cleaning your teeth twice a year to remove the bacteria and plaque that can attack your teeth. Treatment Options There are ways you can help your teeth feel better at home.  Start by using desensitizing toothpaste.  This blocks the transmission of pain signals from reaching the root of your tooth.  After a few uses, your teeth will start to feel better.  You can also rinse with antibacterial mouthwash in order to kill bacteria and any lingering germs which could be irritating your teeth and gums. By visiting our dentist office, you can request a fluoride treatment which will help to remineralize your teeth by placing a mineral directly onto them, important for covering up the exposed dentin.  We can also provide a bonding treatment so that a tooth colored material is bonded to the surface of your tooth in order to protect the dentin from being exposed. If a tooth is particularly sensitive, we can apply a crown to it.  A crown completely surrounds the tooth so that nothing can touch it.  When you bite down, eat, or speak nothing will touch the tooth but instead the crown is what you bite down on.  This helps to eliminate pain that is caused from a tooth that is particularly sensitive. If you have sensitive teeth, schedule an appointment with our dentist office so that we can examine your teeth and make specific treatment recommendations.

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