Beyond Brushing
Here comes summer! This means outdoor fun, ice cream, popsicles, frozen drinks, and for those you with sensitive teeth this could also mean discomfort!Let's talk about sensitive teeth and how you can get ready to enjoy summer.According to the Cleveland Clinic, Teeth sensitivity usually occurs when the underlying layer of your teeth — the dentin — becomes exposed. This can happen due to erosion (wear and tear) and gum recession (when your gum tissue pulls away from your teeth, exposing the roots).
Teeth roots, which aren’t covered by hard enamel, contain thousands of tiny tubules leading to your tooth’s center (the pulp). These dentinal tubules (or channels) allow stimuli — for example, hot, cold or sweet food — to reach the nerve in your tooth, which results in the pain you feel.
From 2005-2012, our practice was part of an elite group of dentists engaged in research right in our own offices, engaging feedback from our own patients here in Darien, CT. The research group was the PEARL Network through NYU and the NIH. One of the studies we ran involved tooth sensitivity like we are discussing here. The results we found were published in national dental journals and are useful to just about everyone experiencing tooth sensitivity.
Many factors can lead to the development of sensitive teeth, including: brushing too hard, gums recession, gum disease, cracked teeth, teeth grinding (bruxism), unsupervised use of teeth whitening products, age, improper mouthwash use, acidic foods, or recent dental work.
The best way to get help for sensitive teeth is first, see your dentist. We talk with our patients at every hygiene visit to cover this issue, along with many others, and discuss their specific causes of tooth sensitivity. Changes in diet and reviewing your toothpaste and mouthwash are first steps. From the study that we participated in, three treatments gave patients relief depending on their case. One solution is using a sensitive formula toothpaste, which can take up to 2 weeks to take full effect. Another treatment was placing a sealant on the sensitive area and finally covering the sensitive area with bonding was the final option.
Eliminating your tooth sensitivity is definitely possible so that you can enjoy your summer food and fun! Make an appointment with us today by visiting our website.