Sensitive teeth can make eating and drinking a challenge for many. Luckily, this can be treated fairly simply in many cases. In serious cases, this condition can be painful and uncomfortable, especially if you have to give up foods you enjoy eating. To learn how to treat teeth that are sensitive to heat and cold, it’s always useful to understand the cause of the sensitivity.
There are two types of sensitivity that could occur – sensitive tooth necks and sensitive tooth surfaces. Tooth necks refer to the part of the tooth that links the root to the crown. Surfaces meanwhile are the part of the tooth directly on the surface. Depending on where your pain, tingling or sensitivity is located, your dentist will advise on the best course of treatment for sensitive teeth upon doing a basic examination.
Understanding Sensitive Teeth
The first type of sensitivity is sensitive tooth necks. The gums, which usually extend as far as the enamel, can recede, causing the dentine to be exposed. Dentine is very sensitive to hot, cold and sweet foods and drinks, and you will very quickly notice a react if you are eating ice cream or having an icy cold drink. This condition is called dentine hypersensitivity due to the dentine of the tooth being exposed.
Some things to note about sensitivity in the tooth neck:
- The primary causes of this condition are periodontal disease and incorrect brushing.
- To treat the sensitivity in the case of either of these causes, you first need to ensure that receding gums or gum disease is no longer a risk. While you cannot reverse gums that have receded, stopping the gums from further recession is vital.
- To treat the sensitivity itself, your dentist will prescribe topical fluoride solution such as a quality toothpaste designed to treat sensitivity and re-mineralise the teeth.
- In some cases, tooth restoration may be required if the problem is serious.
Some things to note about sensitivity on the surface of your teeth:
- Teeth can also become sensitive to sweet, cold and hot things if the surface of the teeth is worn. Grinding is the leading cause of worn dentine on the surface of the teeth.
- Treatment for this would involve treating the root cause – in this case, grinding – before treating the sensitivity itself.
- Topical applications of fluoride, such as a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth, is often advised to treat surface sensitivity once the underlying cause has been resolved.
Whether your sensitivity is caused by receding gums, poor brushing technique or grinding, we are here to help. Whatever the cause behind your discomfort, sensitive teeth can often be prevented by using high quality toothpastes and brushing your teeth correctly. It really is as simple as that – don’t let pain and sensitivity ruin your life. To learn more about tooth sensitivity or book an appointment with a dentist in Durban, contact Gateway Dental today!