What is Tooth Sensitivity ?
Tooth sensitivity is a common name for dentin hypersensitivity or root sensitivity.Tooth sensitivity is a common problem that affects millions of people. Basically,tooth sensitivity means experiencing pain or discomfort to your teeth from sweets, cold air, hot drinks, cold drinks or ice cream. Some people with sensitive teeth even experience discomfort from brushing and flossing. 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.
The good news is that sensitive teeth can be treated.
Tooth construction (you can read more here)
A layer of enamel, the strongest substance in the body, protects the crowns of healthy teeth. A layer called cementum protects the tooth root under the gum line. Underneath the enamel and the cementum is dentin, a part of the tooth that is less dense than enamel or cementum.
The cause of tooth sensitivity.
Tooth sensitivity is usually caused by dentin on root areas exposed due to :
- Receded gums or periodontal disease. Receded gums are very common and up to four fifths of people have gum recession by the time they are 65 ( aging ).
When the root of a tooth becomes exposed it does not have a layer of enamel like the crowns of your teeth. Instead the roots have a very soft covering called cementum, which once lost leaves the dentin of the root exposed
- Hard brushing or using a very abrasive toothpaste can also cause abrasion of the tooth's enamel surface and expose dentin ( enamel loss and dentin exposure ).
- Dental caries, cavities, chipped or fractured tooth, or cracked tooth
- Tooth grinding.
- Tooth erosion . A very acidic diet – for example a diet with a lot of citrus food, pickles or sodapop — can cause tooth erosion and dissolve the tooth surface, exposing the dentin.
- Dental treatment such as teeth whitening, professional dental hygiene cleanings,orthodontics or tooth restorations (i.e., root canals).
- Tooth grinding, so all teeth feel sensitive.
First step is to consult your dentist .
Treatment is according to the case ,so treatment is to treat and remove the cause .
Second step . Use a low abrasion toothpaste specially made for sensitive teeth — a desensitizing toothpaste.These toothpastes make the teeth less sensitive if you brush with them twice a day and also contain fluoride to help protect your teeth against decay .
The desensitizing tooth pastes contains compounds that help block transmission of sensation from the tooth surface to the nerve. Desensitizing toothpaste usually requires several applications before the sensitivity is reduced.
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