Causes and Treatments for Sensitive Teeth

premier • October 11, 2019

If cold air or eating and drinking certain foods and beverages gives you a sudden, sharp, temporary pain in your teeth, you may have sensitive teeth. The most common trigger foods and drinks are hot, cold, sweet, or acidic. This can happen at any age, although sensitive teeth from receding gums become more common as people age.

Causes

Damage to either teeth or gums can expose nerves and make your teeth feel sensitive. Tooth enamel is the hard outer layer of your teeth. It covers the dentin and the nerve endings inside your teeth. Tooth problems could be worn enamel, cavities, cracked teeth, chipped teeth, and worn fillings. Gum problems include exposed roots, receding gums, and gum disease. Sensitivity can also be caused by bleaching, fillings, or other dental procedures, although this is generally a temporary problem.

Treatments

A visit to the dentist can figure out what is causing your tooth sensitivity. You can try some treatments at home, and others can be done by your dentist. Treatments can correct any existing dental problems and help prevent new problems that could cause tooth sensitivity.

At home:

  • Gels and toothpaste for sensitive teeth : These desensitizing gels and toothpastes can be used at home to block the pain of sensitive teeth.
  • Fluoride : Applied at home, or at the dentist’s office, fluoride can strengthen tooth enamel.
  • Limited Acids : Acidic foods and drinks, like sodas, wine, pickles, and citrus can all remove a little bit of enamel. Use a straw with acidic drinks, and drink water after eating and drinking. Bulimia and GERD can also be factors that introduce acid to the mouth.
  • Careful brushing : Rough brushing and overly abrasive toothpastes can wear away enamel and gums. Use a soft toothbrush and keep it at a 45-degree angle.

At the dentist:

  • Mouth guard : If you grind your teeth, talk with your dentist about a mouth guard that could prevent worn enamel and cracked teeth.
  • Bonding : Bonding resin can cover any exposed roots.
  • Treatment for gum disease : Plaque and tartar on your teeth can cause gum disease. Your dentist may recommend planing or scaling, which clean plaque and tartar from beneath the gum line.
  • Gum graft : Gum tissue can be grafted in a surgical procedure to cover roots exposed by receding gums.
  • Repair for broken teeth and worn fillings : Damaged teeth can expose the nerve. Your dentist may fill the tooth, perform a root canal to remove the nerve and pulp, or pull the tooth.

We always recommend brushing and flossing twice a day and visiting your dentist twice a year. For professional help taking care of your sensitive teeth, contact us here at South Holston Dental Designs.

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