Tooth sensitivity is a common problem, and many patients encounter pain or discomfort when they eat certain foods that are hot or cold. According to the Academy of General surgeonry, around 40 million adults suffer from sensitivity. Usually, the pain is temporary and can be treated to improve, but not cure the condition.
At Orange County Center for Oral Surgery & Dental Implants, we provide many general surgeonry services including treatment for patients that suffer from sensitivity. We strive to provide quality dental care in a caring and friendly environment, where patients can relax during their treatment. We welcome new patients to our practice, and look forward to you joining our dental family.
What Causes Tooth Sensitivity?
Tooth sensitivity can happen suddenly, and to anyone. Typically, symptoms of sensitivity include a sudden sharp pain when your teeth are exposed to cold, hot, or acidic foods. Tooth sensitivity can also come after you brush or floss your teeth. Teeth whitening can cause sensitivity after treatment, so patients should consider this when they are deciding to start a whitening regimen.
Our teeth are protected by enamel, and underneath the enamel is a layer of dentin. Dentin is soft, and if the enamel on your teeth is worn down, or your gums have receded the dentin can become exposed. Dentin can be exposed from cavities or cracks in your teeth. The dentin is connected to the nerve area, and this is what can cause pain or sensitive teeth.
Other Actions That Can Cause Sensitivity
- Brushing too vigorously
- Gum recession from periodontal disease
- Gingivitis
- Teeth grinding or clenching
- Cracked or injured teeth
- Plaque
- Acidic foods or drinks
- Dental procedures such as sensitivity after a filling
- Teeth Whitening treatments
What Treatments Are Available for Tooth Sensitivity?
Tooth sensitivity can never completely go away, but there are treatments available that can help alleviate the sensitivity you experience. If you are experiencing any sensitivity, we recommend you make an appointment for an exam in our office. We can treat sensitivity easier if we know that is what is causing you pain. Never leave pain untreated as this could lead to more serious issues in the future.
Sensitivity Treatments
- Using a toothpaste for sensitive teeth.
- Changing to a soft bristled tooth brush.
- Use a mouthwash that contains fluoride.
- Avoid acidic foods or drinks.
- Avoid clenching or grinding your teeth.
- Inlays or bonding can help fix a tooth and decrease sensitivity.
- Gum grafts can help protect the root area of the tooth.
- Fluoride gel or varnish treatment can help protect your teeth from wear and tear.
- Root Canal therapy if needed can help with severe tooth sensitivity, but this is typically the last resort.
Taking care of your teeth and knowing when to call your surgeon is important. Patients should never have prolonged pain or sensitivity to hot or cold. It is always important to take care of your oral health, and practice good habits at home. At Orange County Center for Oral Surgery & Dental Implants, your oral health is our priority, and we strive to provide our patients with quality and affordable dental services. Let our team help you take charge of your dental health.
Ready To Schedule Your Appointment?
If you are interested in finding out more about treatments for tooth sensitivity, contact Orange County Center for Oral Surgery & Dental Implants, and our friendly staff will be happy to assist you.
FAQs
Consider a root canal
If other treatments are not giving you the comfort you need and you are regularly experiencing discomfort from a particular tooth, your dentist may suggest getting a root canal. Root Canal treatments remove the sensitive nerves from the tooth.
Is tooth sensitivity curable? ›
Yes. In some cases, teeth sensitivity goes away on its own — especially if it's due to a recent dental procedure, such as a filling or root canal. If you have teeth sensitivity that lingers and doesn't go away, talk to a dentist. You might have worn enamel or exposed teeth roots.
Is tooth sensitivity forever? ›
Usually, the pain is temporary and can be treated to improve, but not cure the condition. At Kings Beach Dental, we provide many general dentistry services including treatment for patients that suffer from sensitivity.
Can you recover sensitive teeth? ›
Your dentist might apply fluoride to the sensitive areas of your teeth to strengthen tooth enamel and reduce pain. He or she might also suggest the use of prescription fluoride at home, applied via a custom tray. Desensitizing or bonding.
Is tooth sensitivity irreversible? ›
Pulpitis is reversible if you identify it early. Your dentist will treat the cause and expect the symptoms to resolve. The main sign that the pulpitis has progressed to irreversible pulpitis is a lingering sensitivity to heat or cold. In this case, you'll need a root canal or tooth extraction.
Can tooth sensitivity be cured naturally? ›
Natural remedies can help cure sensitive teeth without requiring expensive treatments or medications. One of the most popular methods is oil pulling with coconut oil; simply swish a tablespoon of coconut oil around your mouth for 10-20 minutes each day before spitting it out and rinsing thoroughly with warm water.
Can you reverse tooth sensitivity? ›
Tooth sensitivity can never completely go away, but there are treatments available that can help alleviate the sensitivity you experience. If you are experiencing any sensitivity, we recommend you make an appointment for an exam in our office. We can treat sensitivity easier if we know that is what is causing you pain.
Does tooth sensitivity mean nerve damage? ›
Nerve damage causing tooth sensitivity occurs from damage to the tooth enamel from chips or cracks or enamel erosion. The damage to the enamel permits external stimuli to access the nerves of the teeth to cause pain when eating hot, cold, acidic foods.
Do sensitive teeth repair themselves? ›
Daily Care for Sensitive Teeth
Treating your sensitive teeth on a daily basis is very important as, once tooth enamel is worn away, it cannot repair itself.
What happens if you ignore tooth sensitivity? ›
If left untreated and unattended for too long, it can lead to many other health and dental problems like; receding gums, dental and enamel erosion, tooth decay, chronic gum disease and a chipped tooth, or in more serious cases, a tooth loss.
Because tooth enamel does not consist of living cells, it does not grow back or repair naturally. However, while you cannot repair your enamel, you can help your teeth remineralize. Remineralizing your enamel means restoring some of its minerals to help recoup the loss of your protective enamel.
At what age do teeth become sensitive? ›
Anyone at any age can have sensitive teeth. But research shows that the problem mostly affects adults between ages 20 and 50, with most cases developing between the ages of 30 and 40. This is often attributed to the fact that adults are more likely to have gum recession, a leading cause of sensitive teeth.
How bad can sensitive teeth get? ›
Having sensitive teeth can mean anything from getting a mild twinge to having severe discomfort that can continue for several hours. It can also be an early warning sign of more serious dental problems.
What medication is good for tooth sensitivity? ›
Painkiller paracetamol: A pain reliever commonly used Currently, paracetamol helps to relieve tooth sensitivity quickly. Group of antibiotics and aspirin: has a faster pain-reducing effect than paracetamol, helping to kill bacteria that cause oral diseases. 2.3.
How to deal with extreme teeth sensitivity? ›
Use fluoride toothpaste, and consider using a fluoride mouthwash or receiving professional fluoride treatments from your dentist. Avoid acidic foods: Frequent consumption of acidic foods can reduce tooth enamel and lead to dentin exposure, causing tooth sensitivity.
Can teeth enamel be restored? ›
Can Tooth Enamel Be Restored? Once tooth enamel is damaged, it cannot be brought back. However, weakened enamel can be restored to some degree by improving its mineral content. Although toothpastes and mouthwashes can never “rebuild” teeth, they can contribute to this remineralization process.
