subject: Visiting Your Dentist For Tooth Sensitivity [print this page] Tooth sensitivity is a common dental condition that affects a tremendous amount of people and can cause plenty of discomfort in the mouth. You may start to experience tooth sensitivity but not know exactly what is it until your dentist diagnoses it for you. The more you know about this oral problem the easier it will be for you to learn how to cope effectively with it.
What Tooth Sensitivity Is
You may wonder what tooth sensitivity is. Your dentist will explain to you that sensitivity can bring about pain in the teeth when you eat or drink anything cold or hot such as ice cream, coffee, tea or soup. Sweets may also cause discomfort to the mouth as may cold air if it comes into contact with your teeth. Some individuals who have sensitivity in their teeth find that even brushing and/or flossing their teeth can cause slight pain or discomfort. The pain from the cold or hot source penetrates the tooth and makes its way to the nerve of the tooth. This is where the pain originates from that causes sensitivity to be felt.
If you receive a diagnosis of tooth sensitivity from your dentist then the next step is to treat it in an effective manner that will decrease the pain you suffer from it. You may have only a few teeth that are sensitive or you may have a number of teeth and a larger area that needs to be treated.
Causes of Tooth Sensitivity
Sensitive teeth can come about as a result of numerous causes. Cavities can causes a tooth to be sensitive as can worn down tooth enamel, gum disease or a tooth that is fractured. Some procedures used to whiten teeth can also cause teeth to be sensitive and tender but this form of sensitivity is often short lived.
If you are experiencing pain in your teeth and you believe it may be related to tooth sensitivity then call your dentist and make an appointment to see him. Even if the discomfort is not severe you should still go to see your dental practitioner to have your mouth examined.
Treatments for Tooth Sensitivity
There are a variety of options for treating sensitive teeth. Tooth sensitivity treatments seek to reduce the amount of sensitivity that is occurring in order that the sufferer does not need to suffer needlessly. Discuss the options that are available to you with your dentist. How widespread the sensitivity is will make a difference to the treatment that will be pursued.
It is important that other dental problems are first ruled out before a proper diagnosis of sensitivity can be made. Only then can the suitable course of treatment be acted upon. The oral health professional may recommend that you have a fluoride treatment undertaken in the dental office. Having this will benefit your tooth enamel as it will work to strengthen it.
Another common option that can be used at home and is not costly is to start using desensitizing toothpaste that was created to help those who have sensitive teeth. It may take a number of weeks of use for such toothpaste to begin to protect your teeth but over time it can bring a great deal of relief to the nerves in your sensitive teeth.
