Have you noticed your teeth becoming sensitive to hot or cold temperatures or sugary foods?
Do you wince when brushing or flossing certain areas of your mouth?
Tooth sensitivity can be caused by a number of factors, such as:
- Tooth decay
- Injured tooth
- Cracked tooth
- Worn tooth enamel
- Exposed tooth roots
- Aggressive brushing
- Gum recession
- Gum disease
- Recent dental services
If you believe your sensitivity is coming from recent dental treatment, it is not normal for this to continue for a long period of time. If the sensitivity is worsening or lasts longer than you were told it might, you should contact your dentist to have this checked. A new filling, crown, or other restorative service may need to have adjustments made to the biting surface to achieve the exact fit with the opposing teeth, once corrected the sensitivity will go away.
If upon visual inspection of the sensitive area, you can see any discoloration, holes, chips, cracks or breaks in the tooth or an old filling, etc., then you need to contact your dentist – you may have a dental condition which needs treatment before it worsens and the pain becomes more severe.
If you have not seen a dentist for a complete exam and/or a professional cleaning in the last 6 months, then you need to schedule a check-up and cleaning to determine what is causing the sensitivity.
If you have noticed yourself clinching your teeth, having tired jaws, more frequent headaches, or feel a release of pressure when you wake from a sleep and open your mouth, you may be grinding your teeth at night. The pressure on your teeth from grinding can make the teeth sore and thus hypersensitive and prolonged grinding can wear down your teeth eventually right through the enamel layer of your teeth, exposing the underlying layer (the dentin) which is more sensitive. If you suspect this is the problem, you should contact your dentist about a night guard.
If the sensitivity started shortly after changing to a whitening toothpaste or after you received in-office teeth whitening or started using teeth whitening products at home, then you should start using fluoride rinses (either over the counter or prescription strength fluorides from your dentist) and if possible increase the time frame between the use of whitening products/services.
If the sensitivity began following any form of gum disease treatment or after a cleaning(especially if the cleaning was the first in a number of years) the removal of tartar (calculus) may have left root surfaces or weakened enamel exposed – which was previously insulated by the built up tartar on the tooth surface. See the information below to assist you with this condition.
If none of the problems and solutions so far apply to you, you are likely experiencing sensitivity due to weakened enamel or newly exposed root surfaces. Your teeth are covered by a hard layer of enamel, which protects the nerves of the teeth. When the tooth enamel is worn away or damaged, or a root surface is exposed, then the underlying dentin layer of the tooth is accessible. This layer of tooth is more porous than the enamel so it allows the nerves to feel more when exposed to heat, cold, food particles, and air. This condition can be caused by poor dental hygiene, receding gums, eating acidic foods, prolonged grinding your teeth, brushing too hard or with a hard-bristled toothbrush, too frequent use of whitening products, or rinsing with a mouthwash that contains alcohol.
Weakened tooth enamel and exposed root surfaces are the most common causes of increased overall sensitivity. Treatments for this type of tooth sensitivity include:
- Using a desensitizing toothpaste daily
- Using over-the-counter fluoride rinses
- Having Fluoride Varnish applied at your dental office
- Obtaining a prescription strength fluoride rinse or gel from your dentist for regular home use
- Isolate and reduce the contributing causes of enamel break-down
For more severe exposures of the dentin, you may also be a candidate for one or more of the services listed below, to provide longer term protection. You would need to see a dentist to discuss whether your condition warrants one or more of these services:
- Using a sealant or composite filling material to cover exposed dentin.
- Restoring severely worn teeth with porcelain crowns.
- Orthodontic or TMJ treatments to eliminate excessive grinding and wearing of the teeth.
- Gum surgery – specifically gingival grafting to cover the exposed root surfaces.
Again, tooth sensitivity can be a sign of a dental problem which requires treatment so, if you have not consulted with a dentist about what is causing your sensitivity or it has been 6 months or more since your last complete examination, you need to schedule an appointment. At Seaman Family Dentistry in Lenexa, Ks we will provide you with a comprehensive exam and any options available to treat your specific tooth sensitivity. Contact us now to schedule your appointment, we are looking forward to seeing you soon.
