When a person is experiencing oral pain during normal activities like drinking, eating, and daily brushing, a likely cause is tooth sensitivity. Sensitive teeth often result from an underlying issue that only your dentist can properly diagnose.
Fluoride treatment is a great way to address tooth sensitivity.
At Supreme Dentistry, our accredited dental team can provide an in-depth diagnosis and create a treatment plan to reduce your sensitivity. We offer fluoride treatments tailored to your needs, giving you the best possible outcome. Contact us today at
844.966.2333 to make an appointment and get on track to having a healthy, pain-free smile.
Why Are My Teeth Sensitive?
There are many potential causes of tooth sensitivity, including:
- Brushing too hard with a hard bristled brush
- Worn-out dental fillings or tooth enamel
- Recessed gums caused by gum disease
- Teeth grinding (bruxism), which wears down the enamel of teeth
- Injuries to the teeth and gums, including cracked teeth
- Exposed tooth root, often caused by gum recession
- Tooth decay or cavities
Only a professional dentist can accurately diagnose the cause of your sensitive teeth so that you can receive an effective treatment plan. If you’re experiencing sensitivity, Supreme Dentistry can help. We offer fluoride treatments that can be tailored specifically to address your symptoms and help reduce sensitivity.
What Causes Sensitive Teeth?
A variety of factors can cause sensitive teeth. The most common causes are worn tooth enamel, receding gums, exposed tooth roots due to gum disease, cracked or chipped teeth, and cavities or tooth decay. Tooth enamel protects the dentin in your teeth, which contains microscopic tubes that lead to the nerves in your teeth. When enamel wears away, or gums recede, these tubes are exposed, allowing hot and cold sensations to travel quickly and cause pain. Fluoride treatments can help protect the tooth enamel and reduce sensitivity.
How to Treat Sensitive Teeth
The best way to address sensitive teeth is to schedule an appointment for professional dental treatment. Dentists have different methods of tackling weakened tooth enamel. Some possible treatments you may receive at the dentist are:
Have Your Dentist Examine Your Teeth and Gums
Maintaining healthy gums protects your tooth integrity, which prevents sensitivity. Gum recession due to underlying gum disease may cause sensitive teeth. When gum disease (periodontitis) develops, periodontal pockets separate your teeth from your gum line. This separation can expose the lower part of teeth and sensitive nerve endings to cold and heat, which causes pain and exacerbates sensitivity.
Identifying If You Have an Underlying Issue Called Bruxism
Bruxism is when a person grinds their teeth, usually during sleep, so the patient may not even be aware of their tooth grinding. A custom-fitted mouthguard will prevent further damage to your teeth. The outer protective layers of teeth can wear away due to bruxism and be the root cause of your tooth sensitivity. Although options may be available at the store, they often do not work adequately to address the issue and are ill-fitting. Your dentist has the expertise and tools to make the exact mold of your bite.
Fluoride Coatings and Varnishes Are a First-Line Defense Against Tooth Pain and Sensitivity
Ask your dentist about the fluoride treatment options that are available to you. Microscopic holes in teeth expose the inner part of your teeth to irritants and extreme temperature changes, which leads to pain. When a dentist applies fluoride varnish to your teeth, it fills in these tiny microscopic holes. Depending on the condition of your teeth, other bonding and coating options are available to protect enamel and conceal the exposed dentin (bony tissue) causing pain.
At-Home Options to Help Address Sensitive Teeth
Many people utilize at-home remedies to manage tooth pain while waiting for an in-office professional treatment appointment. A few tips for dealing with sensitive teeth before and after your dentist appointment can include:
Choosing a Proper Toothpaste
Many kinds of toothpaste claiming to whiten and care for your teeth contain abrasive ingredients that wear down tooth enamel with repeated usage. Using toothpaste specifically formulated for sensitive teeth will relieve some of your symptoms. Toothpaste for sensitive teeth contains ingredients to temporarily fill in the small gaps in enamel and exposed dentin. With the holes filled, your sensitive nerves are better protected so that fewer painful side effects are likely to occur.
The Type of Toothbrush You Use
One easy tip for sensitive teeth relief is brushing exclusively with soft toothbrushes. Hard-bristled toothbrushes can damage enamel, leading to more microscopic gaps and sensitivity. Try a soft-bristled toothbrush, and make sure you are not brushing too hard. By refraining from bearing down on your teeth and gums too hard, you are preventing further damage to your enamel and maintaining the integrity of your smile.
Saltwater Rinse
You can make a saltwater rinse quickly by mixing two teaspoons of salt with a cup of warm water. Swishing twice daily (morning and bedtime) may help lessen nerve pain from sensitive teeth. Saltwater is known to help balance the pH level of the mouth. Creating a more alkaline environment in the mouth can sometimes reduce pain.
Food and Beverages You Consume
You may begin to notice that some of the food and beverages you consume daily worsen your tooth pain. If possible, you should limit or eliminate these from your diet while trying to get your sensitive teeth under control. Common culprits behind tooth pain and sensitivity are acidic foods such as coffee, sodas, pickled foods, and heavily acidic citrus fruits. Food and drinks that are very hot or cold are often off-limits for individuals with sensitive teeth. Drastic temperature changes feel more painful for an individual with exposed teeth and less natural protection.
Call Supreme Dentistry Today to Address Your Teeth Sensitivity
If your sensitive teeth are painful for you and can indicate an underlying dental issue requiring prompt treatment. Neglecting a tooth sensitivity issue prolongs your pain and discomfort and opens the door for worsening dental problems in the future. Please schedule an appointment with Supreme Dentistry today by
contacting us at
844.966.2333.
