Castlewood Dental Group

Causes and Treatments for Sensitive Teeth

premier • October 11, 2019

If cold air or eating and drinking certain foods and beverages gives you a sudden, sharp, temporary pain in your teeth, you may have sensitive teeth. The most common trigger foods and drinks are hot, cold, sweet, or acidic. This can happen at any age, although sensitive teeth from receding gums become more common as people age.

Causes

Damage to either teeth or gums can expose nerves and make your teeth feel sensitive. Tooth enamel is the hard outer layer of your teeth. It covers the dentin and the nerve endings inside your teeth. Tooth problems could be worn enamel, cavities, cracked teeth, chipped teeth, and worn fillings. Gum problems include exposed roots, receding gums, and gum disease. Sensitivity can also be caused by bleaching, fillings, or other dental procedures, although this is generally a temporary problem.

Treatments

A visit to the dentist can figure out what is causing your tooth sensitivity. You can try some treatments at home, and others can be done by your dentist. Treatments can correct any existing dental problems and help prevent new problems that could cause tooth sensitivity.

At home:

  • Gels and toothpaste for sensitive teeth : These desensitizing gels and toothpastes can be used at home to block the pain of sensitive teeth.
  • Fluoride : Applied at home, or at the dentist’s office, fluoride can strengthen tooth enamel.
  • Limited Acids : Acidic foods and drinks, like sodas, wine, pickles, and citrus can all remove a little bit of enamel. Use a straw with acidic drinks, and drink water after eating and drinking. Bulimia and GERD can also be factors that introduce acid to the mouth.
  • Careful brushing : Rough brushing and overly abrasive toothpastes can wear away enamel and gums. Use a soft toothbrush and keep it at a 45-degree angle.

At the dentist:

  • Mouth guard : If you grind your teeth, talk with your dentist about a mouth guard that could prevent worn enamel and cracked teeth.
  • Bonding : Bonding resin can cover any exposed roots.
  • Treatment for gum disease : Plaque and tartar on your teeth can cause gum disease. Your dentist may recommend planing or scaling, which clean plaque and tartar from beneath the gum line.
  • Gum graft : Gum tissue can be grafted in a surgical procedure to cover roots exposed by receding gums.
  • Repair for broken teeth and worn fillings : Damaged teeth can expose the nerve. Your dentist may fill the tooth, perform a root canal to remove the nerve and pulp, or pull the tooth.

We always recommend brushing and flossing twice a day and visiting your dentist twice a year. For professional help taking care of your sensitive teeth, contact us here at South Holston Dental Designs.

By premier May 17, 2022
Dental plaque can prevent you from showing your beautiful, authentic smile in public. At South Holston Dental Designs, we understand this fact. We strive to restore your smile through professional teeth cleaning. Our teeth cleaning services help reduce the risk of developing periodontal disease, dental caries, and gingivitis. We employ state-of-the-art procedures and equipment to give […] The post Professional Teeth Cleaning Services appeared first on South Holston Dental Designs.
By premier May 12, 2022
Teeth whitening treatments prescribed by dentists are safer and more convenient  in improving the color of your teeth than other alternatives available over the counter. The custom whitening trays provided by dentists are unique to the patient’s mouth to fit perfectly. Teeth whitening trays available in the local stores are typically one-size-fits-all items. Therefore, you […] The post Custom whitening Trays Benefits appeared first on South Holston Dental Designs.
By premier May 2, 2022
Metal-free crowns are the best alternative when you are missing a tooth or have a damaged tooth. It gives you the best solution for replacing or covering an affected tooth while safeguarding your general health. They also restores the function of your tooth while also giving your smile a more natural appearance. Less costly Metal-free […] The post Metal-free crowns are the best option appeared first on South Holston Dental Designs.
By premier April 25, 2022
You may be feeling pain in your teeth and are  curious to know what causes it. Most people grumble about feeling pain when eating or drinking hot or cold foods. If you’ve felt pain in your teeth, it is due to tooth sensitivity. Sensitive teeth can affect anybody.  If you feel pain while eating or […] The post Sensitive Teeth: Causes and Remedies appeared first on South Holston Dental Designs.
By premier April 20, 2022
Dental health, as we age, tends to get poorer. This may be because a person becomes more forgetful, has trouble doing things on their own, or it could simply be a result of an aging body. Cavities become more common, even if you’ve never had problems with them before, and some medications can cause dry […] The post Dental Health As We Age appeared first on South Holston Dental Designs.
By premier April 12, 2022
Tooth loss may leave you feeling less confident with your smile and introduce other difficulties, including eating and speaking. Dentures are removable false teeth that can help you deal with such difficulties. More importantly, they provide you with a functional smile. Your dentist may also provide you with tips about dentures and how to care […] The post Tips About Dentures: Must-Know appeared first on South Holston Dental Designs.
By premier April 6, 2022
Jaw pain can turn into a severe condition that affects your ability to chew food and speak. If you are experiencing jaw pain, you can agree that it makes it hard for you to open your mouth, and the pain can move to the face and head, leading to severe earaches and headaches. Causes of […] The post Jaw Pain: Causes and Treatment appeared first on South Holston Dental Designs.
By premier March 29, 2022
More than 70 percent of people have an overbite, according to American Dental Association. While for some, the overbite may be considerably small and it is easily noticeable, others have quite the distance overbite. This can cause lots of problems, both to your oral health and the appearance of your smile. Here is everything you […] The post Overbite: What is it and How to Correct It appeared first on South Holston Dental Designs.
By premier March 22, 2022
What are Mouthguards? Mouthguards are devices used to protect your teeth, gums, tongue, and cheeks while you sleep or to prevent you from getting injured when playing sports. Who May Need a Mouthguard? Both children and adults require a mouthguard. Your doctor may advise one if you or your child: Play a contact sport like […] The post Mouthguards: What They Are appeared first on South Holston Dental Designs.
By premier March 15, 2022
Most people grind their teeth from time to time, which is perfectly normal. But when this grinding happens regularly, it can damage teeth and cause other health problems. Teeth grinding is also known as Bruxism. Read on to learn more. What Causes Bruxism? While it is still not clear what causes teeth grinding, doctors suggest […] The post Bruxism: What to Know appeared first on South Holston Dental Designs.
More Posts
Share by: