We all experience sensitive teeth at some point in life, which is a perfectly normal occurrence. There are many reasons you could be experiencing this, and thankfully with the advancements in dental technology, they can be easily treated under the guidance of the right dentist.
However, to treat sensitive teeth, it’s important to know the underlying cause. Once it is identified, suitable solutions can be recommended.
Common Causes Relating To The Enamel
Some have sensitive teeth because they naturally inherit a thinner enamel which is the outer layer of the tooth that protects it. In some other cases, the tooth’s enamel can be worn down for reasons like brushing too hard, grinding your teeth, using a hard toothbrush, and regularly eating or drinking acidic foods and beverages.
Treatment
You must make simple adjustments to your brushing and diet patterns to treat this. Don’t brush too hard, and consider using a soft-bristled brush toothbrush. Avoid overconsuming food and beverages that are too acidic, like soda, sticky candy, and high-sugar carbs. Instead, include more fiber-rich fruits and vegetables, cheese, milk, plain yogurt, and green or black tea.
And as for teeth grinding, you can address this problem by consulting your dentist. They may often suggest a splint or mouth guard, but if the condition is severe, you may need to change the position of your teeth through dental work or a muscle relaxant procedure.
Gum Recession
Usually, by 40 years, gums can begin to show signs of wear and tear, which pulls away your teeth and uncovers your tooth, causing gum recession. When this happens, the roots don’t have enamel to protect them, causing sensitivity. Sometimes they can also be a sign of other gum problems.
Treatment
Receding gums can be treated with a gentle brushing routine followed by good oral hygiene. Or else your dentist can also recommend using a gum graft, which involves taking tissue from the palate and relocating it over the exposed root (bare area) of the teeth to protect it.
Gum Disease
Plaque and tartar build-up in the teeth can make the gums pull back, again exposing the roots of the teeth to sensitivity and even causing diseases. In addition, it can disturb the bony structure of the teeth and bring misalignments to your bite.
Treatment
For gum diseases causing sensitivity, your dentist will do a deep cleaning of your teeth called planing or scaling. This treatment scraps the tartar and plaque build-up below the gum line. You may need medication or surgery to fix the problem if the condition is severe.
Teeth Issues
Whether it is tooth decay, broken teeth and chipped teeth, they all can leave the tooth’s dentin exposed, causing sensitivity. If you have any such teeth issues, you can feel sensitivity only in one particular tooth or a specific region in the mouth.
Treatment
For any teeth issues causing sensitivity, the treatment will depend on how deep the decay or crack in the teeth is. Fluoride treatments, fillings, crowns, root canals, and tooth extractions are recommended for tooth decay and cavities. Make sure you get them done under a professional dental clinic after consultation. For small cracks, they can be filled in, and for those that are below the gum line, tooth extractions will be necessary. Fillings and bondings are suitable for chipped teeth as well.
