How to handle sensitive teeth

Sensitive teeth: an overview

It's good to be sensitive to things around you, but that isn't true when it comes to your teeth! 

Sensitive teeth affect daily life far more than any other health problem. Talking, smiling, and even drinking a glass of water can become dreadful. Sensitive teeth treatments are the most commonly performed dental procedures worldwide. The good news is that it is not a permanent problem. If oral health care is properly provided, tooth sensitivity can be cured over time.

What is teeth sensitivity?

Teeth sensitivity occurs when the dentin (the layer of the tooth underneath the enamel) gets exposed. This can happen as a consequence of wear and tear of the enamel or receding gums that expose the tooth roots.

There is no enamel covering the roots of the teeth. The nerves inside the tooth are very close to the surface in the region of the tooth root. Stimuli, such as hot, cold, sweet, or sour foods and beverages, can reach the nerves inside the tooth very easily near the roots, causing sensitive teeth or even toothache.

To discuss a few causes of teeth sensitivity:

Gum recession:

Plaque, tartar, and deposits around the teeth and the gums initiate gum inflammation (inflammation is the body’s natural response to any injurious foreign materials). The gums look red, sore, and often bleed. With time, the inflammation makes the gums weak and fragile, initiating gum disease (otherwise called periodontitis). Weak gums get easily stripped off the tooth root, causing gum recession. This is one of the leading causes of tooth sensitivity.

Cracked teeth:

A fractured, chipped, or broken tooth is caused by various reasons. It could be an injury like biting on something hard, tooth cavities, or even the natural wear and tear of the teeth. The crack in the enamel exposes the inner dentin, causing severe tooth sensitivity.

Grinding or clenching your teeth:

Grinding your teeth at night or clenching too hard is a leading cause of attrition (the wearing down of the enamel over time). This exposes the underlying dentin and causes severe tooth sensitivity.

Consuming acidic food:

Excess amounts of tea, lemons, pickles, and sugary drinks/foods leave acid residues on the teeth that dissolve the enamel, exposing the dentin. The exposed dentin is sensitive and can also cause a lingering toothache.

Cavities:

Early stages of tooth decay begin with sensitivity to cold and sweet foods. If left untreated, the decay progresses to the pulp of the tooth, causing sensitivity to hot foods as well.

How to stop sensitive tooth pain immediately?

In the event of a sudden episode of painful tooth sensitivity, stop the activity that caused it immediately. It could be ice cream, sticky caramel toffee, pickles, or hot coffee. The sensitivity tends to linger for a while. Wash your mouth with room-temperature water and wait for the sensations to stop. If the pain is unbearable, then you might have to pop in any OTC painkiller and visit your dentist at the earliest.

Tips to stop sensitive tooth pain:

• Dental care

There is no alternative to good oral health care. Rinsing your mouth after every meal, brushing twice daily, and eating healthy food will automatically prevent sensitive teeth.

• Regular dental checkups

Seeing the dentist periodically is the best idea to avoid any dental emergencies or toothaches. Teeth cleaning must be done every six to eight months to keep plaque and tartar away. This ensures good gum health and keeps cavities at bay. The dentist may also advise fluoride varnishes and sealant applications to cure sensitivity.

The fluoride varnish is applied directly to the tooth. It is a resin-based agent with 5% sodium fluoride and is an FDA-approved treatment option for sensitive teeth.

Dental sealants are also resin-based materials but of a much thinner consistency. They can be applied to those areas and cracks of the tooth which are minutely exposed and barely visible to the naked eye, to prevent further worsening of tooth sensitivity.

• Use a mouthguard

The dentist can provide you with a custom-made night guard or mouthguard (or splint) that prevents the upper and lower teeth from grinding against each other. As you stop grinding, your facial muscles will relax, eventually stopping the wear and tear of the tooth enamel. Thus mouthguards can indirectly prevent tooth sensitivity.

• Brush your teeth correctly and use desensitizing toothpaste

Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush using gentle strokes. Swift circles or vertical up-and-down sweeps are the best way to gently clean the grime off your teeth. Desensitizing toothpastes show great results when used daily for about one to three months. The pastes have mineral oxides that form a protective layer over the tooth roots to prevent sensitivity.

• Avoid excess acidic food and beverages

Have tea, coffee, sweets, and citrus fruits in moderation. The acid residues dissolve the enamel over time and expose the sensitive dentin of the tooth. Rinse your mouth right after to neutralize the acidity.

• Go easy on teeth whitening procedures

Dental bleaching for teeth whitening should be done once in a while and under a dentist's supervision. Refrain from using any OTC teeth whitening agents on your teeth; you may end up damaging the enamel and causing permanent sensitivity. Avail of the in-clinic teeth whitening procedure or a dentist-prescribed dental bleaching kit.

Conclusion:

The dentist is the best person to determine the cause of tooth sensitivity. Dr. Shelly Bajaj takes pride in taking care of her patients in a holistic way. She is approachable and empathizes with all her patients. She stresses the fact that oral health care can help maintain healthy teeth for life; be it a simple problem of teeth sensitivity or an unbearable toothache, each patient and their dental concerns are unique and require special attention.