Are you feeling sensitive pains in your teeth that make it difficult for you to enjoy your favorite foods? If so, you have sensitive teeth because of a cavity or other oral health issue. We have treatments available for sensitive teeth to help you find relief from the discomfort.
Dr. Mark Sowell and Dr. Sara Chen will discuss different ways we can help with your sensitive teeth. But first, learn about how teeth become sensitive so that you can address the root cause and prevent tooth damage.
What Causes Tooth Sensitivity?
If you pass on hot or cold drinks because you know they will cause discomfort, you are likely suffering from tooth sensitivity. Things that you do every day can lead to this uncomfortable condition.
The most common thing people do is brush their teeth too hard. This causes your enamel, the hard protective outer layer on your teeth, to quickly wear away. We call this type of damage enamel abrasion.
The enamel on your teeth is actually the hardest mineral in your body. However, it’s not impervious to damage. If anything rubs against your teeth for too long, the enamel will begin to slowly wear away.
Erosion is the other type of enamel damage. This occurs when certain acids in some foods and beverages attacks your tooth enamel. Some of the foods you eat, including sodas, sticky candy, and high-sugar carbohydrates, can literally eat away at your enamel. The bad thing about your enamel wearing away is that it will not grow back.
Thirdly, teeth grinding and clenching are also causes of enamel erosion that leads to sensitive teeth. The constant friction put on your teeth wears them down and chips away at the surface of the teeth. Bruxism can cause a lot of damage to your teeth, gums, and jaw.
Fourthly, if you periodically get teeth whitening treatments, teeth sensitivity is actually a common side effect. This is not a cause for alarm and will most likely go away with time following a professional teeth whitening treatment.
Lastly, gum disease and receding gums can lead to tooth sensitivity. Receding gums can expose the roots of your teeth. The tooth roots don’t have a protective layer of enamel to protect them like the crown of the tooth. Exposing these tooth roots can cause discomfort and sensitivity to hot and cold foods and beverages.
Treatment for Sensitive Teeth
Sensitive teeth can be a source of discomfort and can make it difficult to enjoy eating or drinking. Fortunately, there are dental treatments available at our office that can help alleviate the sensitivity. Some of these teeth sensitivity treatments include desensitizing toothpaste, fluoride treatment, dental sealants, and bonding agents. With the right treatment plan, we can quickly and effectively relieve you of your painful teeth sensitivity.
- Fluoridex®: For patients who come to our Plano, TX, dental office with sensitive teeth, we recommend Fluoridex®. Use this product in place of regular toothpaste for daily treatment and cleaning. Fluoridex® helps protect against painful sensitivity to cold, heat, sweets, acids, and contact.
- Desensitizing toothpaste: Specialized desensitizing toothpaste can block the tubules in the dentin from allowing fluid to flow through. Fluoride toothpaste can also reduce sensitivity. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush as well because it can help reduce tooth pain.
- IBond: IBond Universal is a light-curing adhesive for any bonding technique. Our dentist will apply this special bonding agent onto the exposed dentin to effectively block the tubes. Dr. Sowell and Dr. Chen can provide an IBond treatment at our Plano dental office in one visit.
- Fluoride Gel: Applying highly-concentrated fluoride gel into the tubules of the dentin can seal off exposed nerve endings. The gel will help strengthen and protect the teeth, while also helping to reduce sensitivity.
- Dental Bonding: For more severe sensitivity, Dr. Sowell and Dr. Chen can provide a dental bonding treatment to the surface of teeth. If a tooth is sensitive because of exposed dentin, we can apply composite resin to restore function and stop pain.
- Root Canal Procedure: If decay infects and inflames the root of the tooth, a root canal procedure is necessary. Contrary to popular belief, root canal therapy is not painful, and will alleviate pain and sensitivity in one visit.
For patients with gum recession, root exposure, and sensitivity, we often recommend treatment with MI Paste® and aligners. MI Paste® is a product that contains calcium and phosphate, as well as fluoride in some variations. The solution helps improve the health of teeth by remineralizing enamel and reversing early stages of tooth decay. We recommend MI Paste® to patients who are at high risk of developing cavities, and who have sensitive teeth.
For extreme cases, Dr. Sowell and Dr. Chen can provide a gum graft, or a connective tissue graft. This will also protect the teeth from decay and further damage. To learn more about our treatments, or schedule a free consultation, call us at (972) 382-6855.