Sensitive Teeth

Sensitive Teeth

Sensitive teeth cause patients to experience discomfort when consuming hot, cold, or sweet food and drinks.

Many people will find they feel nothing more than a slight twinge in their tooth, but others will experience a sharp shooting pain. This can last for a number of hours and could require treatment from a dentist.

When does tooth sensitivity occur?

In most cases, this condition arises when receding gum tissue or tooth wear exposes the underlying dentine. When dentine is exposed to hot, cold, or sweet substances, tooth sensitivity occurs.

What are the main causes?

• Gum disease
• Gum recession
• Cracked teeth
• Incorrect brushing technique
• Teeth grinding
• General ageing
• Whitening products
• Acidic or abrasive Diet

Although sensitive teeth can be a problem for people of varying ages, it is more common among those between 20 and 40 years old.

How are sensitive teeth diagnosed?

Tooth sensitivity can be diagnosed by a dentist during a regular check-up. During this assessment, the dentist will check for exposed roots using a metal probe and gentle air stimuli.

What are the treatment options for sensitive teeth?

Treatment will largely depend on the cause and extent of the issue. There are a number of courses of action that can be taken to prevent the problem from worsening.

These include:

• The dentist may use a desensitising gel to relieve the painful symptoms.
• Alternatively, a fluoride rinse or gel is often utilised for one or two weeks to desensitize the tooth.
• Some dentists use white fillings to cover the dentine layer.
• It is also possible to use minimally invasive dental procedures such as AquaCare to block the exposed dentinal tubules with very fine microns thick Aluminium Oxide particles.

How can I prevent sensitive teeth?

Sensitivity can often be easily prevented with just a few simple steps at home:

Good oral hygiene – Individuals who brush with an electric toothbrush and floss their teeth every day, while ensuring they clean all areas of their teeth and mouth evenly, are usually at a reduced risk of developing gum recession. Also seeing a hygienist regularly helps with maintaining good oral hygiene.

Changing diet – Cutting down on highly acidic food and drinks such as citrus fruits and fruit juices reduces the risk of tooth wear.

Change toothbrush – A soft-bristled manual toothbrush or an electric toothbrush are far less likely to cause tooth wear. Also, changing the brush head once every three months can improve overall oral hygiene.

Using a desensitizing toothpaste – Using a desensitizing toothpaste such as Sensodyne for sensitive teeth for several weeks can reduce tooth sensitivity.

Use a mouth guard – If sensitivity has developed due to teeth grinding (Bruxism) a mouthguard can help to protect the teeth from further damage.

Pearl Dental Clinic is open 7 days a week from 9am-10pm. You can book an emergency dental appointment by calling us on 0208 547 9997 or by emailing us or book an appointment online (available 24 hours/day).