Sensitive teeth are a problem that prevents many people from enjoying hot or cold foods or beverages. Brushing and flossing around sensitive areas may cause tooth pain. Sometimes even breathing in cold air causes discomfort. Such sensitivity is caused when the tooth's dentin layer loses its protective covering, which often occurs near the gum line. While tooth sensitivity may not always be curable, it is certainly treatable. The American Dental Association recommends that you visit your dentist regularly for oral exams and professional cleanings to control and prevent dental problems such as sensitive teeth.
Gentle Brushing
Using too much pressure when brushing your teeth can cause your gum tissue to erode, exposing sensitive tooth roots. If you use a regular tooth brush, look for the ones labeled "extra soft." An electric tooth brush can be helpful, since many models actually have pressure sensors which alert you or stop operation if you brush too hard.
Prevent Periodontal Disease
Since gum recession is a main cause of sensitive teeth, you should do all you can to keep your gums healthy. Gentle, but thorough, brushing, flossing and use of an antimicrobial mouth rinse all help in reducing the formation of dental plaque. By reducing plaque buildup, you avoid problems with gingivitis, the early form of gum disease.
Address Dental Problems
Sometimes sensitivity can be stopped by visiting your dentist to address particular dental problems. Repairing a broken, chipped or fractured tooth or filling any cavities may be all that is required to stop tooth sensitivity. Tooth grinding and clenching, which can also cause sensitivity, are treatable with a mouth guard worn at night.
Desensitizing Toothpaste
Your dentist may recommend the use of one of the commercially available desensitizing toothpastes. Such products contain ingredients such as potassium nitrate or strontium chloride, which work by blocking the transmission of feeling from the tooth surface to the nerve, and require several uses before you notice relief. You can also try applying a thin layer of desensitizing toothpaste on any sensitive areas before bedtime, states the Family Gentle Dental Care website.
In-Office Treatments
Your dentist may apply a fluoride gel to any teeth bothered by sensitivity. This serves to strengthen the enamel and reduce pain transmission from the tooth to the nerve. Another in-office treatment for tooth sensitivity caused by receding gums is the application of a sealer, usually composed of plastic material. The sealer bonds to the tooth root, protecting it from exposure.
Root Canal Treatment
In severe cases of tooth sensitivity not alleviated by topical methods such as special toothpaste or sealing, your dentist may recommend endodontic or root canal treatment. In this process, the tooth's pulp is removed. The root canals and pulp chamber are filled and sealed, after which the tooth is restored.
