Are of scared of eating a cup of ice cream or hot soup? Have you ever felt pain and discomfit while you even try to taste a cold drink or hot beverage? While pain and discomfort in the tooth may be a sign of tooth decay and cavity, it is also the sign of sensitive teeth. It is the time for you to visit a dentist in Barrie Chapnick Dental and get your teeth examined. Often called as tooth sensitivity or dentin hypersensitivity, this condition is the response of the tooth to certain stimuli like hot or cold temperatures. This condition is a temporary or chronic problem and requires an immediate change in oral hygiene.
What are the symptoms of “Tooth Sensitivity”?
Pain and discomfort are the main sign of tooth sensitivity. People may experience this either on a single tooth or multiple teeth as a response to certain trigger or stimuli. These symptoms are either mild or severe. The most common stimuli are:
- Taking hot foods and beverages
- Taking cold foods and beverages
- Cold air
- Taking sweet food and beverages
- Taking acidic foods and beverages
- Taking cold and hot water
- Doing dental cleaning
- Brushing teeth or flossing teeth
- While using mouth rinse
Causes of tooth sensitivity:
One of the major reasons for tooth sensitivity is the thinning of the enamel. This thinning can be because of the following reasons:
- Use a hard toothbrush
- Brushing our teeth hard
- Grinding your teeth at night
- Regularly eating acidic food or beverages
- Suffering from GERD (Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease)
- Suffering from frequent belching problem
- Suffering from gastroparesis and bulimia that causes frequent vomiting
- Gum recession
- Tooth decay, broken teeth, chipped teeth, worn down fillings, worn down crowns
Diagnosis of tooth sensitivity:
If you suffer from tooth sensitivity, then visit your dentist. He will check your teeth for problems like cavities, drop down fillings, recessed gums, etc. Sometimes, he may also do an X-ray for inner examination.
Treatment of tooth sensitivity:
Try using a soft brush, over the counter dental treatments, use toothpaste that is specifically used for sensitive teeth, use non-alcohol based mouth wash. In severe condition, visit dentist who will then apply a fluoride gel or prescription-grade desensitizing agents which will strengthen the enamel.
Treating medical conditions that cause tooth sensitivity
If your enamel is due to underlying medical problems like GERD, belching, gastroparesis or bulimia, then medical treatment for the above-mentioned condition is required. Receding gums can be treated by applying soft toothbrush or using gum graft.
Another way is to reduce stress and taking caffeine before bed.
Visit your dentist regularly:
Your dentist in Barrie Chapnick Dental will regularly check up your teeth for problems. He has more than 20 years of experience in providing dental care services in Toronto.
