Have you ever taken a drink of ice water and felt a sharp pain in one or more teeth? It is possible this same pain originated from a hot liquid or biting into something sour or sweet. This tooth pain results from the enamel on your teeth starting to thin, exposing the nerve endings beneath. This tooth sensitivity can start occurring at any time. At first, it may only be one type of food or drink, such as cold items, that creates tooth pain. It may only happen on occasion. Over time, however, the pain may occur every time you eat something cold, and it may start happening with other food and drink. What causes this tooth pain, and what is available for tooth sensitivity treatment?
Causes of Tooth Sensitivity
Pain in your teeth when you eat or drink something or brush your teeth is often a result of worn tooth enamel or exposed nerves, such as with a cavity. A worn filling, cracked tooth, or gum disease can also cause tooth pain. Only a dentist will be able to determine the exact cause of your particular pain. Over time, the enamel on your teeth can become worn and start to thin. Beneath the enamel lies many nerve endings. As the enamel becomes thinner and thinner, the nerve endings are irritated by more substances. Even the very act of brushing your teeth can cause such pain that you can’t brush appropriately and must seek tooth sensitivity treatment. Grinding your teeth can also damage the enamel and put pressure on nerve endings.
Tooth Sensitivity Treatment
There are many tooth sensitivity treatment methods. Which one you should use will be determined by the amount of damage to your teeth and what is causing the tooth pain. Your dentist will help you with this. Methods include:
- Desensitizing toothpaste can be used regularly. After several uses, this toothpaste will help numb some of the exposed tooth nerves and make them less likely to experience the pain.
- Dentists often use fluoride treatments. Your dentist may coat your teeth with fluoride to help reharden the enamel and eliminate the pain.
- If there is an exposed root, the dentist may apply a bonding agent to cover the exposed root, creating less sensitivity.
- A gum graft, where the dentist takes a portion of gum from one spot and attaches it to a spot where the gum has worn away, can be done in extreme circumstances.
Future Prevention
Once you have started tooth sensitivity treatment, you can help prevent future instances by brushing two times each day with a toothpaste made specifically for sensitive teeth and a soft-bristle toothbrush. Use gentle strokes rather than scrubbing vigorously. Consider asking about a mouth guard if you know you grind your teeth. Limit the number of acidic foods and drinks you consume as they can erode tooth enamel. If you consume something acidic, drink a glass of water as soon as you can after doing so to help neutralize the acid. Eating a few bites of cheese can also neutralize the acid and help protect your teeth.
Lovett Dental Cinco Ranch
If you have been concerned about tooth pain that may be caused by tooth sensitivity, give us a call at 713-244-7799 and ask for a dental appointment. Our dentist will examine your teeth and decide if there is something else going on or experiencing tooth sensitivity. Your individual circumstances will be evaluated, and a recommendation for tooth sensitivity will be made at that time. Give Lovett Dental Cinco Ranch a call today and enjoy your food without tooth pain before long. Eating should not be painful.
