Sensitive teeth

Sensitivity of the teeth is common. Under this term usually refers to sudden sharp pain in the teeth that occurs in certain situations. The pain may occur:

with the consumption of cold food and drinks;

with the consumption of hot food and hot drinks;

with the consumption of sweet;

when the tongue touches the tooth or when your teeth touch each other.

Two types of tooth sensitivity:

1. Dentinal sensitivity

Dentinal sensitivity occurs when the dentin (the middle part of the tooth) is stripped. Dentin is usually covered with tooth enamel over the edge of the gingiva and cement (mineralised connective tissue) under the edge of the gingiva. Through dentin pass many tubules in which there are branches of the nerve endings of tooth pulp, which is the nerve center of the tooth. When dentin is stripped, heat, cold and pressure acting on nerve endings can cause tooth sensitivity. Dentinal sensitivity occurs when the outer protective layers of the tooth enamel and cement will be removed so the dentin remains bare. This phenomenon can hit one or more teeth. Uncoated dentin can be caused by:

brushing teeth too hard and in time can damage tooth enamel;

insufficient hygiene of mouth and teeth that along the edge creates gingival tartar;

uncured caries;

old fillings on which crack occurs;

gingiva withdrawal which reveals the root of the tooth (gingiva withdrawal can be caused by disease of the gingiva or brushing your teeth too hard with a toothbrush);

operation of the gingiva that the root of the tooth remains naked;

whitening of teeth in people whos root of the tooth is stripped;

often consuming sour food or drinks.

2. Pulp sensitivity

Pulp sensitivity affects the tooth pulp. Dental pulp is a mass of blood vessels and nerve endings in the center of each tooth. Pulp sensitivity usually occurs in a tooth. Reasons for pulp sensitivity in teeth:

caries or infection;

new fillings;

strong pressure caused by clenching teeth;

cracked or broken tooth.

Sharp pain when biting can be a sign that the seal is cracked or broken. Pain that occurs after the bite is a sign that the tooth is broken.

Symptoms

Both types of tooth sensitivity mean response of tooth on pressure or temperature. Sensitivity to cold drinks or food is the most common symptom. Teeth are rarely sensitive to hot temperatures. If a tooth becomes sensitive to heat, it is a sign that the tooth nerve is dying. In that case it is necessary to extract the tooth nerve.

Diagnosis

The dentist will first consult with the disease history of the patient and will examine his mouth.

X-ray footage will reveal whether the tooth is cracked or has problems with dental nerve.

Also, the dentist will examine and oral habits of the patient. Teeth squeakiness and clenching of the jaws can lead to tooth sensitivity. The dentist will check for damage to the teeth, the condition of the seals and whether there is a bare root of the tooth. It can use special dental instrument with a sharp tip in order checked to see if the tooth is sensitive.

The tooth may be sensitive to cold and a few weeks after sealing. Metals in fillings like silver can transfer low temperature to the tooth pulp. Seals in natural color of teeth are requiring treatment with acid before setting them. In some cases treatment with acid may sufficiently decrease the tooth enamel and teeth to become sensitive. However, due to new developments in this area today this phenomenon rarely occurs.

There are tests that your dentist can check whether there is a need to treat the dental nerve.

If teeth become sensitive after the application of deep fillings, the problem can occur for several weeks. Sometimes the seal is so thick that the pressure on the tooth during chewing may be far-fetched, but this problem dentist can easily solve. If over time the tooth sensitivity is not reduced, it means that it is necessary to treat the tooth nerve.

Prevention

Dentinal sensitivity of teeth can be avoided if we accept the following tips:

- Brushing teeth twice a day and daily use of dental floss.

- Use a soft toothbrush or ultra soft toothbrush and gently brushing your teeth in the direction up and down instead of side to side.

- Use toothpaste and rinse mouth with fluoride water.

- Use toothpastes that provide protection from sensitive teeth.

- To seek help from a dentist in case of teeth squeakiness or clenching of the jaws (bruxism).

For pulp sensitivity there is no prevention if it is damaged the tooth nerve. Any delay in seeking help from a dentist and execution of necessary intervention to extract the tooth nerve, can only exacerbate the problem.

Treatment

Dentinal sensitivity of teeth can easily be cured no matter the cause.

The dentist will first clean your teeth using local anaesthetic if the sensitivity of the teeth is too big for this treatment. During the cleaning of the teeth, the dentist may cover the teeth with preparation of fluorine base that will temporarily reduce the sensitivity of teeth and simultaneously make stronger. In recent times using laser tooth can reduce the sensitivity of the teeth.

The use of toothpaste and liquid for mouthwashes can also reduce the sensitivity of teeth. When choosing a liquid for rinsing the mouth on the base of fluorine it is advised to consult with a dentist because you can find and water for rinse with a greater degree of acidity, and for sensitive teeth that should be avoided.

Removing the dental nerve if the nerve is damaged or dies treats pulp sensitivity. The nerve will be removed and the space will be filled with a special filling. Because is damaged the protective outer layer of the tooth, this lack is filled either by sealing or by placing a crown on the tooth.

Sensitivity of the teeth caused by teeth squeakiness or clutching jaws is treated using plastic mouth guard during sleep.

When should you seek help from a dentist?

If the sensitivity of the teeth does not stop even after several weeks, it is advisable to seek help from a dentist because in many cases this problem is easily treated.