If you
occasionally experience a sudden flash of pain, or a mild tingly feeling
when you bite into sweet or sour foods, or drink hot or cold beverages,
you may have sensitive teeth.
Pain from sensitive teeth is not always constant; it can come and
go. Constant pain could be a sign of a more serious problem. It is
important to discuss your symptoms with your dentist to determine the
cause and proper treatment.
What Causes Sensitive Teeth?
In healthy teeth, porous tissue called dentin is
protected by your gums and your teeth's hard enamel shell. When this
protection is lost, microscopic holes in the dentin called tubules, allow
heat, cold and other irritants to be transmitted back to the tooth nerve
triggering pain. Dentin can be exposed by:
 | Receding gums caused by improper brushing or
gum disease.
|
| Fractured or chipped teeth.
|
| Clenching or grinding your teeth.
|
| Aging process.
|
|
 |
TREATMENT
Depending on the diagnosis, your dentist may recommend one or more
of the following treatments to relieve the symptoms of sensitive
teeth:
| A soft-bristle toothbrush.
|
| A special toothpaste for sensitive
teeth that can either block access to the nerve or make the nerve itself
less sensitive.
|
| A fluoride rinse or gel for sensitive
teeth, recommended by your dentist.
|
A sensitivity protection toothpaste usually
takes several weeks to ease pain. Follow the instructions of your dental
professional on the regular use of sensitivity protection toothpaste to
keep pain from returning.
Be sure to follow the special home care
instructions provided by your dental
professional.
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