Sensitive Teeth?
Why you may be experiencing this common problem….
‘Sensitive teeth’ is something that we hear about from our patients from Ware and Bishop’s Stortford from time to time. This is not surprising as most of us will experience some degree of tooth sensitivity as we go about our daily lives. Some of this is understandable. For example, if you have been eating an ice cream and then expose your teeth to a hot cup of tea, you are likely to notice the difference quite significantly.
If sensitivity is felt under less extreme circumstances though, you should not ignore it, and it is advisable to arrange an appointment at Much Hadham Dental Care so that we can check the cause and offer any relevant treatment.
What causes teeth sensitivity?
Essentially, teeth can become sensitive when the enamel is damaged or worn away. This exposes the dentine which is porous and allows heat and cold to reach the nerves in our teeth. There can be a number of factors that contribute to damaged or worn enamel, including tooth decay, bruxism, gum disease and chipped or broken teeth. Unfortunately, some people are more prone to sensitive teeth than others, even where there is little or no damage to the teeth.
Some patients who have had a teeth whitening procedure may also notice extra sensitivity in the days following the treatment. This is different though, and typically will soon return to to normal and should not be a matter of concern. However, if the sensitivity following whitening persists for more than a few days, please contact us so we can check why.
Solutions
An obvious way to reduce the risk of sensitive teeth is to take care of them by brushing and flossing correctly. Ask us for advice if you are unsure, or confused, about how best to do this. An appointment with our in house dental hygienist may also be useful to improve your tooth care regimen. Some patients also find that using a ‘sensitivity’ toothpaste can help to ease any discomfort which might be felt. This should not be used as a ‘mask’ though, and certainly, any significant problems should be investigated professionally.
Treatments
Sometimes dental treatment may be needed to protect the teeth when enamel has been damaged or worn away. Damaged enamel may be restored using dental procedures such as tooth coloured dental fillings, dental bonding or a crown for more significant damage. Eroded enamel on the front surfaces of the teeth may also benefit from dental veneers with the additional bonus of having your teeth a whiter shade than previously.
Above all though, don’t ignore teeth sensitivity, and, if you live in the Ware or Bishop’s Stortford areas and have problems like this, please call us on 01279 842 567 to arrange an appointment so we can help.
