Does a spoonful of hot food or a sip of cold water cause you discomfort or pain? If so, you should know that you are not alone. According to a meta-analysis published in the Journal of Dentistry in 2019, teeth sensitivity may be as high as 11.5% among adults.
Also known as dentin hypersensitivity, tooth sensitivity refers to a condition where someone experiences discomfort or pain in the teeth. This discomfort and pain is usually a response to a certain stimulus – for example, cold or hot temperatures.
While teeth sensitivity is temporary for some people, it can also be a chronic problem. Also, the condition can affect a single tooth, several teeth, or all 32 teeth in an adult’s mouth.
In this detailed guide, we will help you understand how qualified dentists treat sensitive teeth. However, before we show you the solutions, let’s see what causes teeth sensitivity.
What Causes Sensitive Teeth?
According to a study published in 2017, the leading causes of sensitive teeth include:
1. Gingival Recession
Most commonly known as periodontitis, Gingival recession, even after treatment, can lead to the exposure of the teeth’ roots. The cement used in the treatment of gingival recession is generally more fragile than natural enamel. For this reason, the cement may wear off, exposing the dentin.
2. Erosion, Attrition, Abfraction, and Abrasion
When abfraction, erosion, attrition, and abrasion damage or diminish the enamel, the dentinal tubules are exposed. This type of enamel damage often results from inappropriate brushing techniques – say, using excessive pressure or horizontal brushing. The damage can also result from using a toothbrush featuring hard bristles.
NCCL (Non-Carious Cervical Lesions) on the cervical buccal area is generally associated with this type of damage. In addition to causing esthetic impairment, NCCL can be very sensitive.
Acidic beverages or food can also cause enamel wear. A study published in 2012 showed that closely monitoring the intake of acidic food and making improvements on oral maintenance routines can be very effective in dealing with the enamel damage often caused by diet.
It is also worth noting that enamel damage can also be caused by eating disorders like bulimia. Vomiting often puts teeth in contact with gastric acid – this can corrode the enamel.
3. Bruxism
Bruxism generally provokes enamel wear through excessive – and often involuntary – thrusting, clenching, or grinding of teeth. In severe cases of bruxism, crowning is often recommended for flattened teeth – this protects the pulp.
How to Treat Sensitive Teeth: 4 Permanent Solutions
While numerous home remedies are available for sensitive teeth, these do not provide a lasting solution for chronic teeth sensitivity. To ensure permanent relief from chronic sensitivity – say, before getting invisible orthodontic aligners – you may want to use the following solutions:
1. High-Fluoride Treatment
If your tooth sensitivity is caused by enamel erosion, a high-fluoride treatment may work for you. Fluoride rehardens the enamel naturally. This, in turn, soothes sensitive teeth and also reduces the risk of developing dental caries.
High-fluoride toothpaste, however, can only be obtained with a prescription, with treatments lasting for up to 3 months. High-fluoride mouthwash is a popular alternative that can be accessed over the counter.
Your dentist will guide you on how to use high-fluoride mouthwash or toothpaste. In most cases, however, you will need to use these as part of your normal oral maintenance routine.
2. Dental Sealant Treatment
Your dentist may recommend using dental bonding – also known as a dental sealant – to create a natural-looking barrier on your teeth’ roots. This type of sensitive teeth treatment involves applying a tooth-colored resin to the exposed roots.
Much like the transparent teeth aligners offered by Straight Teeth Invisible, the finished product blends in perfectly with your smile. The resin can last anywhere from 5 to 10 years.
3. Surgical Gum Graft
Also known as periodontal plastic surgery or gingival graft, a surgical gum graft is often used to treat severe gum recession. This procedure involves taking a healthy tissue somewhere from inside your mouth – in most cases, the roof of the mouth – and then using this piece to build up the gum around the affected tooth.
This procedure covers up the tooth root and improves the health of the gum. In addition to resolving teeth sensitivity, this procedure can make your gumline more aesthetically appealing.
4. Root Canal
If the treatments outlined above fail to offer comfort, dentists often recommend a root canal. This treatment involves removing the sensitive nerves from the affected teeth.
It is worth noting that root canals are, in most cases, recommended as a treatment for teeth that have suffered cracks or trauma. However, in a rare case where teeth sensitivity is too resistant or too painful, your dentist may recommend this solution.
What’s Next After Treating Sensitive Teeth?
After succeeding at fixing your sensitive teeth, the next step is to implement an oral maintenance routine that keeps your teeth healthy. You can also go a step further and work with Straight Teeth Invisible.
Using transparent teeth aligners, the professional dentists at Straight Teeth Invisible will transform your teeth’ appearance, giving you a perfectly straightened smile.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the symptoms of tooth sensitivity?
Common symptoms of tooth sensitivity include:
Sharp pain when you expose your month to something hot or cold.
Pain when chewing or biting.
Spontaneous tooth pain.
Sensitivity localized to a single tooth or multiple adjacent teeth.
Pain or discomfort when breathing through your teeth.
Which home remedies can I use to relieve pain caused by sensitive teeth?
If you are not ready to visit your dentist for a permanent solution, you can try the following home remedies:
Saltwater rinse. An effective antiseptic, salt can also reduce inflammation. To deal with pain symptoms of teeth sensitivity, gargle with a saltwater rinse two times per day.
Warm water and honey. Honey is an antibacterial agent that works well for wound management. It can reduce pain, inflammation, swelling, and also speed up wound healing. To reduce the pain that is often caused by sensitive teeth, rinse your mouth with a spoonful of honey and warm water.
Turmeric. Turmeric features a compound known as curcumin which provides an anti-inflammatory effect. To alleviate pain caused by sensitive teeth, massage ground turmeric on your teeth.
How does desensitizing toothpaste work to reduce tooth sensitivity?
Although desensitizing toothpaste may not provide permanent relief from teeth sensitivity, it can eliminate the pain associated with the condition. The toothpaste shields nerve ends from irritants. Potassium nitrate, the most active ingredient in this type of toothpaste, blocks pain signals originating from the tooth’s nerve from reaching the brain.
How can I treat underlying conditions that cause tooth sensitivity?
If underlying conditions are damaging your enamel and making your teeth sensitive, treating these underlying conditions can prevent further damage. GERD and bulimia are two underlying conditions that often put the teeth in contact with stomach acid. You can treat GERD with acid reducers while bulimia can be treated under the supervision of a psychiatrist.
If you are currently damaging your teeth with excessive grinding or clenching, you can try being mindful not to grind or clench your teeth during the day. Reducing caffeine and stress before bed can keep you from grinding your teeth at night. Also, using a mouthguard at night may be an ideal solution.