Everything You Need To Know About Tooth Sensitivity
If you’ve ever felt a sharp pain or discomfort upon taking a bite of ice cream or drinking a spoonful of hot soup, you’re not alone. Pain from consuming something with an extremely low or high temperature is often associated with teeth cavities. It is also exceptionally common in those who suffer from tooth sensitivity.
Tooth sensitivity causes discomfort or pain in areas of your teeth as a response to certain stimuli like cold or hot temperatures. Despite the possibility of it being a temporary issue, it’s pivotal to treat it immediately to avoid potential problems that may arise in the future.
1. Symptoms
Before you try to find solutions, you’ll want to first know what the symptoms of sensitive teeth are. Whilst it may be narrowed down to pain and discomfort, the symptoms include tooth pain (especially if localised to one tooth), sharp pain instead of mild pain, pain when biting down or chewing and staining of your teeth. These symptoms often appear when the affected tooth comes across certain triggers.
Examples of common triggers include hot, cold, acidic and sweet foods and beverages. For some, it may even be the way you floss or brush your teeth. Your symptoms may come and go anytime, and they can range from mild to intense.
2. Causes
The top of a tooth is covered by enamel, which acts as protection for the underlying, more sensitive dentine layer. A little break in the enamel or the thinning of this layer can lead to sensitivity.
The cause of the break can be tooth fracture, tooth decay, or even worn-away enamel from brushing your teeth too hard or grinding your teeth at night. Regularly consuming acidic foods and beverages will also wear down the enamel. Those suffering from conditions that cause frequent vomitings, such as gastroparesis and bulimia, can also leave you with thinner enamel due to the acid in your vomit.
Suppose you’re an orthodontic patient who has opted for self-ligating braces or ceramic braces to straighten your teeth. Getting a regularly scheduled adjustment of teeth will shift their position, which will also make them more sensitive than usual, and thus, more susceptible to discomfort and pain. This type of sensitivity should only last for a day, but if it still persists, you’ll want to inform your orthodontist about it.
3. Treating
If you’re suffering from mild tooth sensitivity, you can opt for toothpaste designed to desensitise or protect the sensitive parts of your teeth. You can do the same for your mouthwash as well. Choose one that is free of alcohol and has active ingredients to help with the restoration of thinning teeth, such as fluoride. Apart from that, brushing more gently and using softer toothbrushes can also greatly aid in reducing tooth sensitivity.
If neither of these home remedies works, you may want to consider chairside treatment. Your local dentist will create a surface seal on the exposed areas of dentine, often with fluoride or other chemicals that form crystals in your tooth’s microscopic openings. In the event that these areas do not respond to both fluoride or chemical treatments, your dentist will then use bonding or white fillings instead. In more severe cases, a root canal treatment may be required.
If you’re experiencing sharp pain in your tooth, it’s time to stop suffering in silence and look for a professional who can determine the cause and offer you proper treatment.
At Luminous Dental, our team of dedicated and experienced dentists are equipped with the technical knowhow to help you tackle your dental issues. They are thorough in their practice, examining your teeth’s health and dental issues, before coming out with a treatment that best suits you. They will go through every step of the procedure with you, so that you can have peace of mind.
Prioritising your teeth and oral health, we strive to boost your confidence by tackling all your dental-related issues with minimal pain. With Luminous Dental, you can finally say goodbye to regular tooth pain and aches!