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Tooth Sensitivity
Tooth sensitivity, particularly to cold or even air, is a common and often painful issue that many individuals face. This condition often prompts questions at dental offices, with patients commonly reporting discomfort when consuming cold foods like ice cream. It's noteworthy that over 10% of people experience some degree of tooth sensitivity. However, many choose not to discuss it with others or their dentist, mistakenly believing that having sensitive teeth is normal.
To understand tooth sensitivity better, it's essential to understand the structure of a tooth. The enamel serves as the protective outer layer; beneath it lies the dentin, which is significantly more sensitive. When dentin becomes exposed or is altered during cavity removal procedures, increased tooth sensitivity can result.
What is tooth sensitivity?
Tooth sensitivity is an anomaly that occurs due to damaged enamel and gum roots. Enamel can break down from unhealthy eating habits, like consuming hot and cold foods consecutively. This exposes the nerve endings of the teeth, causing pain and discomfort when eating hot or cold foods.
Causes of Teeth Sensitivity:
Tooth sensitivity, or sensitive teeth, can arise from several factors:
1. Hard Toothbrush Use: Brushing with a hard toothbrush can wear down enamel, exposing the underlying dentin and increasing sensitivity to cold and air.
2. Acidic Foods and Drinks: Consuming excessive amounts of soda, colas, and spicy foods can significantly erode enamel, leading to heightened tooth sensitivity.
3. Stress-Induced Grinding: Stress may cause some individuals to grind their teeth involuntarily. This habit can result in damaged enamel over time.
4. Gum Disease and Exposed Roots: These conditions are significant contributors to tooth sensitivity as they expose sensitive areas of the teeth.
5. Dental Issues: Fractured fillings, broken restorations, or worn-out fillings can also contribute to increased tooth sensitivity.
6. Gastrointestinal Reflux Disease (GERD): Acidic reflux from GERD or conditions like bulimia can damage teeth by bringing stomach acids into contact with them.
Understanding these causes is crucial for managing and preventing tooth sensitivity effectively.
Treatment options for teeth sensitivity:
There are several brands of medicated toothpaste on the market that claim to prevent tooth sensitivity. The main ingredient in these pastes is potassium nitrate. Dentists also prescribe fluoride toothpaste.
The thing with brushes is that the way you use them matters the most, not the bristles. Use a soft bristle brush and brush your teeth softly. Don't brush too hard, or you'll hurt your teeth and gums.
Avoiding acidic foods is one way to reduce the pain of heartburn. Acidic foods include citrus fruits, tomatoes, and onions. If you have heartburn, try eating yogurt, milk, or butter. You can also drink fruit juices instead of beverages, spicy food, or pickles.
Dental applications:
If you are not having an enjoyable time with the above remedies, you can ask your dentist to do a covering of paint, varnish, or resin over your teeth, which will provide services as an enamel shield.
Other Options will be included:
Crowning or bonding
Surgical gum graft
A Root Canal is an ultimate and last treatment for teeth sensitivity
Many people feel if they brush extremely hard - they can remove the yellow stains or make their teeth whiter. My tooth brushing extremely hard, a person can seriously damage their teeth. Also, using extremely hard toothbrushes can cause damage to the teeth. The enamel protects the tooth and is a relatively thin layer. If the enamel is brushed away, then the underlying dentin tooth structure is much more sensitive - since it is more vital.
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