Do You Have Senitive Teeth?
If your teeth become sensitive to brushing, flossing, heat, cold or certain foods, the discomfort can interfere with your enjoyment of daily activities. You may have a common problem called dentin hypersensitivity, or "sensitive" teeth.
Causes of Sensitivity
Teeth become sensitive when the dentin (the tooth layer covered by enamel under the crown and by cementum under the root) becomes exposed. The microscopic tubules (small hollow tubes) found in dentin are then exposed, allowing sensations of heat and c
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ld or acidic foods to stimulate the nerves and cells within the tooth. This causes hypersensitivity (excessive sensitivity). Cementum may become exposed when gums recede due to age or gum disease. The result can be hypersensitivity near the gumline. Vigor
ous tooth brushing at the gum margin or tooth grinding can also cause the enamel to thin, exposing the cementum.
Treatment
Hypersensitivity can be treated. Your dentist may recommend an approach that can be tried at home, such as desensitizing toothpastes. These toothpastes are often helpful. They contain compounds that help block transmission of sensation from the tooth
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urface to the nerve. Desensitizing toothpastes, which usually contain strontium chloride or potassium nitrate, may require numerous applications before sensitivity is reduced. These products will either seal the exposed tubule openings or reduce the abilia
ty of the nerves to transmit pain. When choosing dental products, look for those that carry the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Your dentist may try some in-office techniques if desensitizing toothpastes are not helpful. Fluoride treatments may be applied to the
sensitive areas of the teeth. The fluoride binds to the tooth and reduces the transmission of sensations through it. Fluoride strengthens the enamel by helping the damaged tooth to remineralize. Another agent that blocks the transmission of sensations is to the
called oxalate. Accepted strontium chloride gels may also be topically applied to the teeth. Another option is to seal the sensitive areas with one of a number of dental materials. A sealant (a plastic material that's painted onto the teeth) or resin (a tons is
ooth-colored restorative material) maybe tried, if the sensitivity is a result of gum recession, your dentist may use materials (called dentin bonding agents) which are made to bond directly to the t
