24/10/2021
Sensitive teeth causes & treatment
Teeth are made of layers of different materials, including enamel, cementum and dentin. The tooth enamel’s job is to protect the tooth from decay, wear and tear, heat and cold, acids in foods and drinks, and even bacteria in the mouth. But when the tooth enamel wears down or when there are other dental problems with the teeth, sensitive teeth can be an issue that affects your everyday life. Learn about what causes sensitive teeth and how you can treat them at home or in the dentist’s office.
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Causes of Sensitive teeth
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If your teeth are sensitive, it could be for one of several reasons. The causes include cavities, tooth decay (cavities), worn fillings, gum disease, worn tooth enamel and exposed tooth root. When teeth become sensitive they can cause discomfort to those that suffer from them. Not only can those with sensitive teeth experience pain when eating hot or cold foods but also even brushing teeth can be painful at times. Having a filling replaced or putting on new protective restorations such as crowns is something that might need to be done in order to ensure that those who suffer from sensitive teeth do not continue to feel pain due to exposed tooth root.
Cause 1 – Decayed Tooth Enamel
When tooth enamel is decayed (worn away), food becomes more easily able to irritate sensitive teeth. This can sometimes be corrected with a filling. However, if it’s not treated, your teeth may eventually become too fragile for fillings to be effective. Instead, you’ll have to have a crown placed over your tooth. Crowns are made of either gold or porcelain and are less likely than fillings to fall out or break down over time.
Cause 2 – Fractured Fillings
Fractured fillings are common, and if you’ve experienced one it will be no surprise to you. But what exactly is a fractured filling? At its most basic level, a fractured filling happens when your tooth’s surface (enamel) wears away (typically as a result of excessive brushing or grinding), causing it to weaken and making it more vulnerable to fracture. As anyone who has ever had one can tell you, there is pain with fractured fillings – but it is also typically short-lived.
Cause 3 – Broken Cementum
Sometimes, a portion of your tooth enamel and/or dentin (the layer beneath your enamel) can become detached from your teeth. This can be caused by trauma to your teeth, such as biting down on hard objects like apples, fingernails or keys; an aggressive dental cleaning; decay; or even grinding and clenching. The result is broken cementum – which results in dentin becoming exposed through a crack in enamel – thus causing sensitive teeth.
Cause 4 – Molars Grinding Together at Night
People often wake up in pain due to pressure being placed on molars while grinding them together. Often, simply adjusting your sleep habits can remedy these sensitive teeth caused by bruxism. You can try wearing a mouth guard while you sleep or using some type of desensitizing toothpaste before going to bed. If neither of these options work for you, it’s best to talk with your dentist about a dental crown.
Cause 5 – Gum Disease
Bad bacteria and plaque can cause gum disease, which often results in sensitive teeth. To prevent gum disease, brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily.
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Treatments for Sensitive teeth
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We all know that dental treatment can be expensive, especially if you don’t have insurance to help you cover the costs of necessary procedures. But did you know that bad oral hygiene can cause bigger problems than you might think? When your teeth are sensitive to hot or cold foods and drinks, it means there’s something going on in your mouth that needs addressing; left untreated, sensitive teeth can lead to cavities and gum disease—which can eventually lead to serious health problems like diabetes and heart disease.
Desensitizing Toothpaste
Dentists recommend brushing with a desensitizing toothpaste twice a day, before bed and in the morning. Toothpastes containing potassium nitrate are known for delivering instant relief from sensitivity, but they aren’t always safe for use on baby teeth—talk to your dentist if you have questions about what kind of toothpaste is right for you.
Fluoride Gel
If you’re looking for a quick-fix solution, fluoride gel is an effective and inexpensive choice. Also called nursing gel, it helps ease pain in tender areas like exposed roots and new crowns. You can find fluoride gels at your dentist or local drugstore; though not widely available, they are used frequently.
Inlays and onlays
These are caps that are bonded to your tooth. They can be made of ceramic or porcelain, which fit over your tooth like a crown. Unlike a crown, however, an inlay or onlay is usually much thinner. This makes them less visible when you smile or talk. They also don’t require as much tooth reduction as a crown.
Dental crowns
If your tooth is damaged or decayed, dental crowns might be an option for you. Crowns can restore strength and structure to decayed teeth while also preserving your natural tooth enamel. However, some patients need crowns even if their teeth are completely healthy. Some people may simply want a crown because they don’t like their smile or find that their real tooth is discolored, crooked or cracked.
Surgical gum graft
A surgical gum graft is performed by making an incision into healthy tissue in your mouth. A tissue sample containing one or more roots is then pulled from that healthy tissue and transplanted into your damaged area, called a recipient site. The new tissues are fused with existing tissue in order to stimulate blood flow for faster healing. Research has shown that approximately 50% of all patients who undergo surgical gum grafting experience pain relief within six months following treatment, so it’s important to realize results may vary greatly.
Root Canal Surgery
A tooth with a diseased nerve is beyond repair, and if left untreated will cause major issues. A root canal is a way of removing infection and dead tissue from inside your tooth and replacing it with medication that can help prevent future damage. This treatment can save your tooth from infection or even loss but shouldn’t be taken lightly. It’s never a great idea to put off treatment if you think you might need a root canal.
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