Sensitive Teeth
It is not uncommon for many people to experience tooth sensitivity, a condition in which a sudden painful sensation is felt when they drink hot coffee or eat cold ice cream. They may jump in pain when touching a fork or toothbrush to their teeth.
Sensitive teeth, know as dentinal hypersensitivity, is one of the most common dental complaints. The problem starts when a sensitive part of the tooth called the dentin is exposed. Dentin is the porous part of tooth below the enamel. The dentin becomes exposed in many ways, which include:
- Brushing too hard along the gumline
- Recession of the gum
- Gum disease
- Periodontal treatment
- Dental surgery
- Fractured or chipped tooth
- Tooth wear at the gumline
- Teeth clenching or grinding
- Smoking
Once the dentin is exposed, so are tiny tubes inside the dentin that are filled with fluid. These tubes connect back to the center of the tooth where the nerve is located. The nerve becomes stimulated when the fluid inside the tube is triggered to move by eating sweet or acidic foods, or by drinking hot or cold beverages, etc. The result is pain.
If you experience chronic sensitivity and we have ruled out other dental concerns, relief can sometimes be received from the use of desensitizing toothpaste, which contains a compound that helps to block transmission of sensation from the tooth to the nerve fibers. If there is no improvement, then the use of a fluoride rinse or the application of a fluoride varnish may be suggested. The fluoride strengthens the tooth enamel and reduces the transmission of sensation. If receding gums cause the sensitivity, a sealer composed of a plastic material can be bonded to the root surfaces to seal the sensitive tooth. ‡
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