Sensitive Teeth: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Have you ever experienced discomfort or pain after eating an ice cream dessert or as a spoonful of too-hot soup? If this is the case, you are not alone. Since pain from hot or cold meals may indicate a cavity, it is also typical in persons who have teeth that are sensitive (sensitive teeth).

Sensitive teeth, also known as "dentin hypersensitivity," is the sensation of discomfort or pain in your teeth as a result of particular stimuli, such as cold or hot temperatures. It can be a transient or persistent condition that affects one both, multiple teeth, or all of the teeth of a single person. It can be caused by a variety of factors, but the majority of cases with sensitive teeth are readily addressed with a modification in your dental hygiene routine.

Sensitive Teeth Symptoms

People who have sensitive teeth may feel pain or discomfort when exposed to specific triggers. This discomfort may be felt at the root system of the impacted teeth. The following are the most prevalent triggers:

Hot meals and drinks
Cold meals and drinks
Cold/Chilly air
Desserts and drinks (sweet meals)
Acidic meals and drinks
Use cold water, particularly during regular dental cleanings.
Flossing or brushing teeth
Mouthwashes containing alcohol-based.

The symptoms you are experiencing can come and go for no apparent cause over time. They might range from moderate into harsh.

What causes dental sensitivity?

Some people are born with more vulnerable teeth than the others due to weaker enamel. The tooth enamel is the tooth's protective outer covering. The enamel of the tooth may become worn away in numerous circumstances due to:

Cleaning your teeth too vigorously
Using a stiff toothbrush
Nighttime teeth grinding
Consuming acidic meals and beverages on a frequent basis

Other disorders might also cause tooth sensitivity. For instance, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may trigger acid to reflux from the esophagus and stomach, which can wear down one's teeth as time passes. Acid may wear down the tooth enamel in situations that produce frequent vomiting, which include gastroparesis or bulimia. Recession of the gums can uncover and expose portions of the tooth, creating discomfort.

Tooth decay, chipped teeth, fractured teeth, as well as worn-down fillings and crowns might expose the inner layer of the tooth and cause pain. If this issue is the case, you will most likely just feel sensitivity on a single tooth or region of the mouth rather than most of the teeth.

Following dental procedures such as crowns, fillings, as well as teeth whitening, then your teeth could get momentarily sensitive. Sensitivity will additionally be limited to a single tooth or any teeth around the tooth that got dental treatment in this situation. This should go away in a few days.

How is the diagnosis of teeth sensitivity?

Make a scheduled appointment with a dentist if you find yourself experiencing sensitivity in the teeth for the first time. Find a healthcare service in your region, you may schedule a consultation with a dentist in your local area. They can examine your teeth and search for probable issues such as loose fillings, cavities, or receding gums that may be triggering the sensitivity.

This can be done by your dentist during a normal dental cleaning. They will clean the teeth and perform a visual examination. They may employ dental equipment to test your teeth regarding sensitivity, as well as they can further request an X-ray for checking out problems such as cavities.

What is the treatment for tooth sensitivity?

You can attempt over-the-counter dental remedies if the tooth sensitivity is minimal. Choose toothpaste branded "specially formulated for teeth that is sensitive." These toothpastes will not have any irritating components and may contain desensitizing compounds that assist prevent irritation from going to the tooth's nerve. If it relates to mouthwash, go for an alcohol-free solution to avoid aggravating teeth that are sensitive.

Brushing more softly and with softer toothpaste and toothbrushes might also help. Soft toothpaste and toothbrushes ought to be clearly labeled. These cures usually require multiple applications to be effective. Within one week, you will likely notice an improvement.

If home remedies fail, consult your dentist regarding prescription toothpaste as well as mouthwash. In-office fluoride gel as well as prescription-grade desensitizing medications may also be used. These can assist to safeguard your teeth by strengthening the enamel.

Medical Diseases Which Trigger Tooth Sensitivity Must Be Treated

If underlying issues have contributed to the tooth sensitivity, you should treat them before the enamel wears down and damages your teeth. Acid reducers can be used to treat GERD, but bulimia needs to be treated under the supervision of a psychiatrist.

Brushing with less pressure or gently and keeping proper dental hygiene might help to heal receding gums. Your dentist may propose a gum transplant in situations of significant sensitivity or discomfort caused by extensive gum recession. This treatment includes removing tissue out of the palate and putting them over the root of the tooth to protect it.

You may educate your body to quit grinding or clenching the teeth by not doing so during your entire day. Lowering stress along with caffeine before bedtime might additionally help you avoid nighttime teeth grinding. While this does not help, you can wear a guard over your mouth at night to protect the teeth from grinding.

What is the prognosis for tooth sensitivity?

If the tooth sensitivity has made eating difficult, consult your dentist for a treatment. Many mouthwashes and toothpastes for teeth that are sensitive can be purchased over the counter.

If these do not work, consult your dentist regarding prescription toothpaste or mouthwash. You ought to visit your dentist when you have signs of cavities or probable root damage so that you may seek treatment early and avoid problems. Among these signs are: