According to the Mayo Clinic, people can develop sensitive teeth due to exposed tooth roots or worn tooth enamel. Some of the most common symptoms associated with sensitive teeth include throbbing pain when consuming hot or cold food or drinks, brushing your teeth, or flossing. However, sometimes dentist can trace the tooth sensitivity to gum disease, a worn filling, cavities, cracked teeth, or chipped teeth.
Tooth sensitivity is a common problem that typically responds to simple home remedies, but you may need additional dental treatment depending on the cause and severity of the sensitivity. Regardless of why some of your teeth hurt, we encourage you to schedule an exam with Cherry Creek Family Dentistry as soon as possible. During the appointment, your dentist will examine your teeth and gums to determine why your teeth might be sensitive and then discuss a few treatment options.
How Your Dentist Can Treat Tooth Sensitivity?
Here are five potential treatment options that the dentist at Cherry Creek Family Dentistry may recommend to improve your tooth sensitivity:
- Bonding or desensitization: If the cause of your tooth pain is exposed tooth roots, your dentist can decrease sensitivity by placing bonding resin on the affected teeth. You may need local anesthesia first to ensure you remain comfortable throughout the procedure.
- Fluoride: A professional fluoride treatment for every tooth that feels sensitive is a simple way to treat this problem. Your dentist might also provide you with a customized mouth tray filled with fluoride to allow you to treat the problem at home.
- Gum graft: A gum graft is an oral surgery that replaces missing gum tissue that could be contributing to your tooth sensitivity. Your dentist removes gum tissue from another area in your mouth and transfers it to the area where you experience tooth sensitivity. This procedure protects sensitive roots and should reduce tooth pain in the future.
- Root canal: Dentists typically reserve root canal treatment for patients with severe tooth sensitivity who have not responded well to other treatment methods. When you have a root canal, the oral surgeon removes diseased pulp and covers the tooth with a crown. This guards against future infection that can cause worsening tooth sensitivity.
- Toothpaste for sensitive teeth: Switching to a toothpaste made specifically for sensitive teeth can help to improve symptoms after you have used it several times. Desensitizing toothpaste is available over the counter, and your dentist would be happy to recommend a specific brand or type.
Once your teeth start to feel less sensitive, we recommend switching to a soft-bristled toothbrush if you haven’t already and continuing to brush your teeth at least twice a day. Try not to brush your teeth too aggressively since this can increase pain. If you have a habit of grinding your teeth, this can eventually cause hairline fractures that increase sensitivity. Lastly, we advise you to use a straw when drinking acidic beverages since it reduces contact between acid and your teeth.
Cherry Creek Family Dentistry operates a practice in the Littleton, Colorado area. You may call our office at 303-321-1323 or request an appointment online and we will schedule a time convenient for you.