If you do not enjoy cold or hot drinks because you have tooth sensitivity, you may need to visit your dentist. Tooth sensitivity is a common dental issue that different factors can trigger. Enamel erosion can result in dentin exposure. Consuming cold, hot, or acidic foods or beverages can lead to sensitivity in the tooth that has exposed dentin. A Scottsdale family dentist can address the underlying issue that causes such sensitivity.
Causes of Tooth Sensitivity
The enamel is your tooth’s outer layer that protects your tooth. The roots are situated underneath your gums and have cementum to protect them. The cementum and enamel protect your teeth’s dentin, which transmits sensation to the nerves and the brain. Damaged or weakened enamel or exposed tooth root causes the dentin to be sensitive to cold, hot, sticky, and acidic foods or beverages, triggering discomfort or pain. Tooth sensitivity can result from gum recession, tooth decay, gum disease, hard brushing, damaged fillings, fractured or damaged teeth, worn-down enamel, and acidic mouthwash.
Using Home Remedies to Relieve Tooth Sensitivity
Sensitivity to cold and hot temperatures can make it painful to eat and drink. Thankfully, there are ways to relieve tooth sensitivity. These include the following:
- Using toothpaste for sensitive teeth. Suddenly experiencing tooth sensitivity can be quite uncomfortable. But brushing with toothpaste specially made for sensitive teeth can help. This toothpaste has special ingredients that fill tiny dentin and enamel holes to protect your teeth’s sensitive nerves from exposure, alleviating pain and discomfort.
- Using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Brushing the teeth using a stiff-bristled brush can be tough on your enamel, leading to the development of microscopic holes and increasing tooth sensitivity. Also, it can exacerbate gum recession, causing dentin exposure and increased nerve sensitivity. If you have tooth sensitivity, consider using soft-bristled toothbrushes and gently brushing your teeth.
- Use salt water solution. Rinsing your mouth with saltwater solution balances its pH level by forming an alkaline environment where plaque-causing bacteria cannot survive. Just put 2 tsp of salt in a cup of warm water to create this solution. Rinse your mouth with it in the morning and evening.
- Wear a night mouthguard. Nighttime grinding can cause tooth sensitivity. A mouthguard can protect the teeth against pressure and keep the tooth crown from being eroded further. Your dentist can make a custom-designed mouthguard by taking a mold of your teeth. Wear this mouthguard while you sleep.
- Do not consume acidic foods and beverages. Highly acidic foods and drinks can make your enamel prone to erosion, exacerbating tooth sensitivity. Citrus fruits and drinks can wear down the enamel and expose the nerves, roots, and dentin of your teeth.
Dental Treatment for Tooth Sensitivity
If you experience tooth sensitivity, inform your dentist about it. The dental professional can identify the root cause of the issue. Depending on the situation, they may recommend the dental solutions below:
- Desensitizing toothpaste. Your dentist will prescribe a desensitizing toothpaste to alleviate tooth sensitivity. A lot of these products can be bought over the counter. Applying it can help relieve the pain related to tooth sensitivity.
- Dental bonding. Applying bond resin to the tooth’s exposed root surface can treat sensitivity. During the application, your dentist may administer a local anesthetic.
- Root canal. If you are experiencing extreme pain because of tooth sensitivity and you have tried different treatments, but cannot get the relief you need, a root canal treatment may be best for you. This surgical procedure treats different issues in your dental pulp. This is an effective method to resolve tooth sensitivity problems.
- Fluoride. Applying fluoride to your teeth’s sensitive areas or rinsing with a mouthwash that has fluoride can strengthen your enamel as well as alleviate discomfort and pain. Also, your dentist may recommend a prescription fluoride that you can use at home.