Sensitive Teeth Solutions
If you’re concerned about sensitive teeth our dentists can help you. We have various solutions that can effectively reduce tooth sensitivity. Book an examination online or contact us.
Tooth Sensitivity Can Be Treated
Sensitive teeth are a result of nerve irritation. Acidic foods, beverages, drugs, acid reflux, brushing too hard, cavities, cracks or broken teeth, receded gums, plaque, teeth grinding, tooth decay and over-the-counter tooth-whitening products can all erode teeth enamel. When the outer structure of a tooth becomes worn or damaged nerves become exposed and tooth sensitivity occurs.
Dental Solutions for Sensitive Teeth
We have various solutions that can effectively reduce tooth sensitivity. Sensitivity can be a sign of a cavity, infected tooth pulp or eroded enamel.
Dental Fillings and Endodontic Treatment
Fixing a cavity in a tooth with a dental filling will stop the sensitivity and save your tooth from becoming infected. If the sensitivity is severe the tooth pulp may have become infected and will potentially require root canal treatment to stop the infection and save the tooth.
Desensitising Teeth with Dentine Bonding
Dentine bonding agents provided better relief from dentine hypersensitivity than desensitising toothpaste. Exposed root surfaces can be treated by applying bonding resin to the sensitive root surfaces.
Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel which helps prevent tooth decay. Fluoride treatments can be applied to the sensitive areas of your teeth to strengthen tooth enamel and reduce pain.
Desensitising Toothpaste
Desensitising toothpaste contains compounds that help to shield nerve endings from irritants and can sometimes help block pain associated with sensitive teeth. The active ingredient that blocks pain signals traveling from a nerve in your tooth to your brain is potassium nitrate. It soothes the nerves inside the tooth pulp and prevents them from sending pain signals to the brain.
If you’re concerned about teeth sensitivity you can make an appointment with our friendly dentists to assess your teeth.
Tooth Anatomy
The structure of a tooth consists of three layers. The outer layer above the gum is made up of enamel known as the crown, and below the gum the root is made up of cementum. This outer layer protects an inner layer called dentin. Dentin contains and protects the pulp tissue which consists of sensitive nerve endings and blood vessels that feed the tooth. Tooth sensitively is also known as dentin hypersensitivity. If dentin loses its protective covering of enamel or cementum, these nerve endings become exposed and this causes tooth sensitivity. The more the nerves are exposed the more sensitive the tooth will feel. Superficial wear may cause sensitivity to temperature or acid foods and dentin exposure will result in more severe pain.
Teeth Sensitivity FAQs
Acidic foods, beverages and drugs
Acids in certain drugs, foods and drinks can gradually erode tooth enamel to expose the dentine. For example, lemon juice and vinegar.
Acid reflux
Acid reflux, also known as heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD, is a digestive disorder that forces stomach acid up into the oesophagus. Some people do not experience discomfort, this is known as silent reflux which is therefor often untreated. The low ph of stomach acid is corrosive to teeth enamel and can damage multiple teeth over time.
Brushing too hard
Using a hard toothbrush or brushing too hard can wear the tooth enamel down over time.
Cavities, cracks or broken teeth teeth
Cavities or cracks in the enamel or broken teeth exposes the sensitive dentin. These openings can also fill with bacteria and cause inflammation.
Receded gums
Receding gums expose the root surface. The root of the tooth is protected by cementum which is not as hard as enamel and therefore more sensitive. Gums can recede as a result of gum disease or brushing too hard with a hard toothbrush.
Plaque
Plaque contains erosive acid producing bacteria. Having plaque on the root surface of your teeth can induce sensitivity and erosion over time. Professional teeth cleaning is necessary to remove the build up of plaque and tartar.
Teeth grinding
Teeth-grinding or clenching also know as bruxism can wear away enamel and cause chips and cracks which exposing the dentine.
Tooth decay
Cavities formed from tooth decay allows particles to enter into the sensitive layers of the tooth causing sensitive and eventually infections and inflammation.
Tooth-whitening products
Products that contain baking soda to whiten teeth can cause microscopic damage to tooth enamel and give rise to tooth sensitivity.
If your teeth have felt sensitive over a prolonged period of time it is a sign of eroded tooth enamel. If a tooth is very sensitive for more than a few days and reacts to both hot and cold temperatures, it’s best to ask your dentist to take a closer look. Sometimes sensitivity may actually be a sign of a cavity or infected tooth pulp.