What Is Tooth Sensitivity and What Does It Mean?

Some people are born with extra sensitive teeth, but if eating, drinking, and everyday oral hygiene are giving you pain, something is amiss. A dentist can determine what is causing the tooth sensitivity and suggest lifestyle or treatment adjustments to alleviate the symptoms, allowing you to resume enjoying your favorite foods and beverages without discomfort.

What is causing my teeth to be so sensitive?

Dentin hypersensitivity (also known as tooth sensitivity) can develop suddenly or gradually. It might be moderate or severe, and it can affect a tooth, several teeth, and even all of your teeth.

The more sensitive inner layer of the tooth (dentine) will be revealed if some of the enamel goes away or a tooth is injured. Damage or erosion that reaches the inside of the tooth (root canal and pulp) can result in chronic dental pain and sensitivity.

What methods do dentists use to treat sensitive teeth?

When you book an appointment with a dentist to talk about tooth sensitivity, they'll question you about your symptoms and do a dental examination. Because the reason of sensitivity is often invisible to the human eye, x-rays are generally used.

Remedy at home

Switching to a toothbrush with soft bristles or the special desensitizing toothpaste may be recommended by your dentist. They may also show you gentler brushing and flossing procedures that are less damaging to your teeth and gums. If you use mouthwash, stay away from alcohol-based solutions since they might irritate your mouth.

Treatment for hygiene

If the plaque has formed on your teeth, professional scaling and cleaning will eliminate it, reducing the risk of gum discomfort. Fluoride may also be recommended by your dentist to help strengthen your teeth and prevent them from additional plaque assaults.

A dental crown or filling

A dental restoration can help restore a tooth's strength, protect it from germs, and lessen sensitiveness if it has been injured or has lost too much enamel. Bonding can cover minor fissures, whereas a filling or crown can restore the structure of a tooth.

Root canal treatment

A root canal treatment can typically save an infected tooth. Drilling into the tooth, removing diseased tissue, replacing it with a synthetic substance, and capping the tooth with a crown or filling are all examples of this procedure.

Grafting

Your dentist may recommend a gum transplant if your gums have receded owing to gum disease or frequent brushing. This is a surgical treatment that includes taking tissue from your palate and transferring it to your gums to hide your teeth's sensitive roots.

Treatment for bruxism

You can talk to your dentist or doctor about remedies if you grind or clench your teeth at night or when you're worried or anxious. Dentists can put a night splint over the teeth, similar to a mouth guard, to decrease the impact of grinding. You might also try changing the sleeping patterns or reducing your stress and anxiety levels.

How to Prevent Sensitive Teeth

Although sensitive teeth cannot always be prevented, you may reduce your risk of tooth pain and discomfort by following your dentist's recommendations and maintaining proper oral hygiene on a daily basis. Their treatment suggestions will be based on the cause of your tooth sensitivity, the severity of the sensitivity, and the number of teeth impacted.