If
you occasionally experience a sudden flash of pain, or a mild tingly
feeling when you bite into sweet or sour foods, or drink hot or cold
beverages, you may have sensitive teeth.
Pain from sensitive teeth is not always
constant; it can come and go. Constant pain could be a sign of a more
serious problem. It is important to discuss your symptoms with your
dentist to determine the cause and proper treatment.
What Causes Sensitive Teeth?
In healthy teeth, porous tissue called dentin
is protected by your gums and your teeth's hard enamel shell. When this
protection is lost, microscopic holes in the dentin called tubules,
allow heat, cold and other irritants to be transmitted back to the tooth
nerve triggering pain. Dentin can be exposed by:
- Receding gums caused by improper
brushing or gum disease.
- Fractured or chipped teeth.
- Clenching or grinding your teeth.
- Aging process.
|
 |
TREATMENT
Depending on the diagnosis, your dentist may
recommend one or more of the following treatments to relieve the
symptoms of sensitive teeth:
- A soft-bristle toothbrush.
- A special toothpaste for
sensitive teeth that can either block access to the nerve or make
the nerve itself less sensitive.
- A fluoride rinse or gel for
sensitive teeth, recommended by your dentist.
A sensitivity protection toothpaste
usually takes several weeks to ease pain. Follow the instructions of
your dental professional on the regular use of sensitivity protection
toothpaste to keep pain from returning.
Be sure to follow the special home
care instructions provided by your dental professional.
|
