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If you find that your teeth hurt after drinking something hot/cold beverages, most likely you have sensitive teeth. Usually tooth sensitivity presents as temporary tooth discomfort or pain after eating cold food, drinking cold liquids, or breathing cold air. Richmond Cosmetic Dentistry reports that at least 40 million adults in the country suffer from sensitive teeth at some point in their lives. But the good thing is most cases of tooth sensitivity are easy to treat.
Sensitive teeth occur when the dentin or the middle layer of a tooth is exposed usually by a receding gum line. The dentin is normally covered by enamel above the gum line and is made up of tiny openings called tubules. Inside each tubule lies a nerve branch that carries the signal coming from the outside. When the dentin is exposed because of a receding gum line, cold or hot temperature or pressure can affect these nerve branches causes sensitivity.
The key to preventing tooth sensitivity is to keep the gums from receding by reducing the pressure we use to brush our teeth and keeping it healthy through regular and good dental regimen. Gingivitis and periodontal disease are also the causes of gum recession which can be prevented with proper oral hygiene coming from Richmond Dentist. Use a soft bristled toothbrush and apply moderate pressure when brushing with up and down stroke or circular motion. Make sure when you are brushing spend at least 2-3 minutes couple with flossing in order to reach the 35% of the tooth surfaces where brushing cannot reach.
Switch your regular toothpaste to toothpaste that is made for sensitive teeth which are widely available for purchase at drug, grocery and discount stores without a doctor’s prescription. It can help reduce pain from drinking and eating hot or cold foods or refreshments. Richmond Dentist explains that the toothpaste contain compounds that block transmission of sensation from the tooth surface to the nerve leaving a relief.
If sensitivity lasts for longer than a few weeks with pain that you cannot tolerate anymore; you need to contact your dentist. Your dentist may apply a desensitizing fluoride gel on your teeth which will run for several applications before you can feel the effectiveness. Dentists also use agents that bond to the tooth root to seal sensitive teeth if the problem is caused by receding gums but if pain is still present despite all these treatments, you will be treated with a root canal. Usually the tooth’s nerve is already damaged or dying and the dead nerve will be removed and a non-reactive substance will be placed in the space where the nerve was.