Tooth Sensitivity- New Treatments To Help Sensitivity
Does a spoon full of ice cream or a sip of hot coffee send pain shooting through your tooth
? Do you find yourself wincing while brushing or flossing? If so, you may be suffering from a common dental problem called, sensitive teeth. According to the Academy of General Dentistry, roughly 45 million Americans experience tooth sensitivity, a condition that is generally characterized by a tingly feeling or a flash pinch of pain affecting all teeth, certain areas of certain teeth or all of one or more teeth. The best way to find out why a tooth is sensitive is to have your dentist in Palm Harbor examine your teeth. They can look for the signs of dentin exposure, and run tests to determine what the true cause of the sensitivity is.
What are the Causes?
The pain associated with tooth sensitivity may occur constantly or intermittently. Intermittent tooth sensitivity can occur while ingesting hot or cold food, or beverages, or when cold air hits the teeth. In some cases, tooth sensitivity can be mistaken for root damage. Aging can account for a majority of tooth sensitivity because as we age, enamel naturally wears down, exposing the dentin and causing the sensitivity. Tooth sensitivity can also result from a variety of other factors including:
*Gum recession
*Acidy liquids - soda - that cause enamel wear and dentin exposure
*Tooth grinding, in which case all teeth feel sensitive
*Brushing teeth too hard, which may cause enamel loss and dentin exposure
*Dental treatment such as teeth whitening, professional dental hygiene cleanings, orthodontics or tooth restorations
*Root nerve damage, gum disease, or a chipped or fractured tooth
How to Treat Sensitive Teeth
If sensitivity is due to a cavity, a restoration can be placed. If gum disease is the cause, then your dentist can perform a thorough cleaning of the area. However, if the cause is from exposed dentin, then there are a number of professional and home treatments that can be used to reduce the sensitivity.
Some in-office procedures include:
*Fluoride varnish can be applied to exposed areas, strengthening the enamel and dentin
*Fluoride foam or gel can be placed into a mouth tray, which remains in your mouth for 3-5 minutes, providing the teeth with a high concentration of fluoride to strengthen the areas
*Bonding agent, the material used to stick tooth colored restorations to teeth, can be used to seal the dentin surface and provide a barrier to the stimuli that cause sensitivity
Some at-home procedures may include:
*Use a very soft bristle tooth brush, with low abrasive tooth paste
*Brush correctly and do not over brush
*Use a tooth paste specially formulated to soothe the nerve endings in the tooth
*Use a high concentration fluoride toothpaste (given to you by your dentist) to strengthen the tooth surface
There is an array of treatments available, and your dentist in Palm Harbor can help you find an appropriate treatment plan that will work best for your tooth sensitivity. Always seek professional help from your dentist, as tooth sensitivity can be a sign of something more serious.
by: Gen Wright
Brown Boots Are The New Black This Autumn Solar Power Energy An Introduction Why Should New Small Businesses That The Local Internet Marketing? Barratt Homes Releases New Apartments In Woking This Weekend Pasadena Cosmetic Dentist Adds New Features To Social Media Sites - Facebook And Twitter Learn To Prevent Foreclosure Using A Foreclosure Defense Lawyer Or A New Jersey Bankruptcy Lawyer Austin Texas Real Estate Listings: Where To Look For Your New Home Health Insurance In New York Blue Light Bars Energy And Cost Efficiency At Its Best Why Get The New Balance True Balance Doctors In New York City 6 Tips To Save Energy In Your Home What Air Systems Are Available For New Homes