Treating Sensitive Teeth
A look at causes and possible treatments of tooth sensitivity for our Burton patients.
Whilst most of us probably associate tooth pain with a toothache; for some people, persistent tooth sensitivity is also a debilitating problem. With healthy enamel, our teeth should be resistant to extremes of temperature, but, when the enamel becomes damaged, it exposes the dentin layer of the tooth. As this is porous, the nerves, within the inner tooth are able to detect temperature more easily and this may cause some significant discomfort.
In today’s blog, we take a look at some of the reasons why the dentin can become exposed and how we are able to treat the issue at Mike Allen’s Dental Practice.
Worn enamel
A leading cause of tooth sensitivity is when the enamel of our teeth become worn and eroded. There can be a number of reasons for this including
- Failure to keep our teeth clean with regular home care
- Excessive brushing that causes the enamel to wear away
- Exposure to high amounts of sugar. Fizzy sugary drinks are especially bad for this
- Exposure to citric acids such as lemon or orange juice
Preventing this from happening in the first instance is obviously the best way to prevent having sensitive teeth. Once the enamel has worn away though, one option to restore the teeth to a comfortable state is to replace damaged surface enamel with porcelain dental veneers.
Cracks, chips and loose fillings
Even some cases of minor damage to a tooth can expose the dentin layer, making the teeth more sensitive. Whilst most of us will probably seek prompt dental treatment if a sizeable portion of a tooth breaks off, we may be inclined to leave it until our next check up if it is only a small chip that breaks away. Even small chips and minor cracks though, may expose the dentin, causing not only sensitive teeth, but also increasing the likelihood of dental decay or even root canal infection occurring at some stage. If you do suffer minor damage, it is always worth calling our Burton dental practice for an appointment to have the tooth checked.
Depending on the extent of any damage, restoration may be possible using either a filling or cosmetic bonding. More extensive damage may require a dental crown to be fitted which would also help to strengthen the tooth.
It is also possible that an old filling may have worked loose, leaving a gap between the filling and the natural tooth. This may cause the teeth to become sensitive, and, again, increase the risk of tooth decay. If this is the case, the tooth will need to be refilled.
Providing that you keep regular dental appointments to have your teeth checked, and call us should any damage occur between appointments, your teeth should be resistant to the discomfort of sensitive teeth.
You can call Mike Allen’s Dental Practice on 01283 845345. Our team are on hand for help and advice.