Having sensitive teeth stinks. Plain and simple. It hurts to eat, drink, and sometimes, even venture outside in the wrong kind of weather. Thankfully, there are some things that you can do to help protect your teeth from extreme sensitivity. First, you need to speak with your dentist. He or she can help you figure out the best treatment to help decrease your tooth sensitivity. Second, you need to follow their advice. The only way their advice is going to do you any good is if you take it, right?
Your Dentist Can Reduce Tooth Sensitivity
When you come in and see your dentist with sensitive teeth, they are going to want to examine your teeth. There are quite a few things that can lead to sensitive teeth. Typically, the culprit is erosion of your enamel or gum recession. If this is what your dentist finds, they can figure out how to treat the problem with you. Often areas of exposed root can be treated with desensitizing medications. This can often offer immediate relief. If you have deep groves on the root of the tooth bonding can be an answer to eliminate pain. However, if your dentist sees a cavity causing the sensitivity, then the fix is obvious – you will get the cavity filled and that should help greatly.
It is very possible that a bad bite can contribute to tooth sensitivity. Traumatic bites can cause stress in the teeth as the teeth tend to collide instead of gliding during chewing and grinding. This can lead to bone and gum recession as well as the grooves on the neck of the teeth which is incorrectly attributed to brushing. Clear aligner therapy such as Invisalign can improve bad bites and keep your teeth healthy for many years to come.
When your teeth are incredibly sensitive, you will likely be switched over to a sensitive formula toothpaste and possibly a mouthwash too. You may also be advised to get sealants on your teeth, as this can help keep some of the sensitivity down, depending on what you are most sensitive to. You may only be sensitive to one thing, such as hot or cold, or you may be sensitive to a wide variety of things, including bitters and sweets, too.
Talk to your dentist if you notice that you have sensitive teeth. They can help you figure out what is causing the problem. Then, they can work with you to figure out what the best treatment options are.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please call us today.