Have you ever felt pain or discomfort when you take a bite of your favourite ice cream or drink a delicious hot soup you’ve been craving? If your answer is yes, do not fret because you are not alone. While there may be several causes for this discomfort, one of them is sensitive teeth.
Dentine hypersensitivity, often referred to as teeth sensitivity, refers to teeth that become painful or uncomfortable as a reaction to particular stimulus, such as hot or cold temperatures.
It can be a short or long term issue that may affect one tooth, many teeth, or all of your teeth. While sensitive teeth might have a variety of causes, the majority of them can be readily remedied by altering your oral hygiene routine. Find out what are the causes, symptoms and treatments for sensitive teeth.
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The Symptoms of Sensitive Teeth
Similar pain and discomfort can be experienced due to problems such as cavities in your teeth, thus it is important to book an appointment with a dental health professional to get an accurate diagnosis. Those who have dentine hypersensitivity will experience pain and discomfort that is often triggered by the following, with symptoms that range from mild to intense:
- Hot food and drinks
- Cold food and drinks
- Cold air
- Sweet food and drinks
- Acidic food and drinks
- Cold water especially during dental scaling and cleaning procedures
- Brushing or flossing
- Mouth rinses that are alcohol based
The Causes of Sensitive Teeth
Some may be more prone to sensitive teeth than most due to thin enamel. The enamel is the outermost layer of your teeth that provides protection. This layer can be worn down from several actions, including:
- Brushing your teeth too hard
- Using a toothbrush with hard bristles
- Teeth Grinding
- Consuming too much acidic food and drinks
Besides these, sensitive teeth can also be caused by Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) that may cause the stomach and oesophagus to release acid, which over time will wear down your teeth. Acid can erode the enamel in conditions like gastroparesis and bulimia due to frequent vomiting.
Sensitivity can also result from gum recession, which can expose the teeth and leave them unprotected. On the other hand, pain and discomfort can be brought on by the dentine of the tooth becoming exposed as a result of other factors too, including dental decay, fractured or chipped teeth, and worn-down fillings or crowns.
Following dental procedures like fillings, crowns, or teeth whitening, your teeth may be temporarily sensitive. In this scenario, only the affected tooth or teeth will be sensitive. After a few days, any pain or discomfort ought to go away.
The Treatments for Sensitive Teeth
It is crucial for you to pay your dentist a visit if you’re affected by sensitive teeth. Any underlying causes of your tooth pain can be found or ruled out by him or her. They might also provide you with some recommendations to treat your pain and discomfort. These recommendations include:
- Use Desensitising toothpaste.
Desensitizing toothpaste can assist in reducing discomfort brought on by sensitive teeth after multiple uses. Numerous over-the-counter products are available. Your dentist might recommend the most suitable product that will effectively treat your condition. So, don’t hesitate to ask!
- Use Fluoride.
To build tooth enamel and lessen discomfort, your dentist may administer fluoride to the sensitive parts of your teeth. Additionally, he or she could provide you with prescription fluoride for you to apply at home.
- Teeth Bonding or Desensitisation
On occasion, sensitive root surfaces that have been exposed might be addressed by coating them in bonding resin. There may be a need for a local anaesthetic during this procedure.
- Gum Graft Surgery
A little piece of gum tissue from another part of your mouth can be retrieved and placed onto the affected area if your tooth root has lost gum tissue. This treatment can lessen sensitivity and shield exposed roots.
- A Root Canal
Your dentist may suggest a root canal to repair issues in the soft core or dental pulp of your teeth if you are experiencing extreme pain and other treatments are ineffective. Even though it may seem like a significant procedure, it is said to be the most effective method for reducing tooth sensitivity.
Once you get any of these treatments, it is important that you take proper care of your teeth to prevent the problem from recurring. Brush your teeth twice a day with a toothbrush that has soft bristles. Be gentle or use circular strokes instead of applying hard pressure while brushing. Although it might feel as though you are doing a better job at cleaning with hard strokes, you may damage your teeth and even your gums.
If you are a fan of acidic foods and drinks, you may want to reduce your intake as they can wear down your tooth enamel over time. Some examples of these foods and drinks are processed meats, dairy products, high sodium condiments, citrus fruits, citrus juices, wine, and carbonated drinks. If you do feel like drinking acidic liquids, using a straw is recommended as it will minimise contact with your teeth.
Dental Essence Clinic Singapore
Do you need assistance with a dental health concern? At Dental Essence, we treat an array of dental problems and multiple services are provided by our professionals to help you improve and maintain your dental health. Your comfort is our top most priority as we strive to provide accurate and professional services for a satisfying dental care experience. Give us a call or click here to book a consultation with our trained and experienced dentists today!
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