Have you ever bit into an ice cream cone, and felt a rush of pain? Sensitive teeth are a fairly common problem, which can be easily treated. The more you know about your sensitive teeth, the easier it will be for you to find relief. Your local Lethbridge dentist can also be a great resource for information about your sensitive teeth.
There are two different types of sensitive teeth: dentinal sensitivity, and pulpal sensitivity. They each affect different areas of the tooth, but can both cause sharp, shooting pains. Depending of which type you suffer from, your treatment plans may be different.
Dentinal sensitivity is caused by a breakdown of the tooth enamel, allowing the middle layer of the tooth (the dentin) to be exposed. Dentin is the semi-soft portion inside the tooth, which contains many nerves. When extreme temperatures or pressure is felt on the dentin, the nerve becomes hyperactive. This is experienced as a sharp pain, and causes your teeth to be very sensitive.
Dentinal sensitivity has many causes. The most common is poor oral hygiene, which happens when the tartar accumulation begins to destruct the tooth’s enamel. Brushing your teeth too hard, overtime, can also wear down the enamel’s strength. Certain dental work, such as cavities, or fillings, can also cause dentinal sensitivity. Drinking acidic beverages, like soda, can also weaken the protective enamel. Finally, tooth whitening can cause sensitivity. Dentinal sensitivity usually causes pain in more than one tooth, but not always.
Pulpal sensitivity occurs when the nerves in tooth’s pulp become hyperactive. The pulp is made of blood vessels, nerves, and other minerals. Pulpal sensitivity can be caused by many factors, usually including changes in the tooth’s appearance. A tooth decay, infection, a crack in the tooth, or a broken tooth, can all cause pulpal sensitivity. Usually, the pain is felt after the bite is released. Pulpal sensitivity only affects one tooth at a time. If you’ve recently had dental work done, and develop pulpal sensitivity, consult with your Lethbridge dentist immediately.
Your dentist will take x-rays and look at your dental history. Depending on the type of sensitivity present, your Lethbridge dentist will recommend a treatment method. Each person’s case is different. Some people have sensitive teeth for just a brief amount of time, while others may have it throughout life.
Treatment can be very successful, depending on when it is started and what type it is. A dentinal sensitivity can usually be treated with specialty toothpaste, or mouthwash. If a poor dental work is the problem, it will be removed and replaced. Occasionally, a root canal must be performed to ease the pain and discomfort. Your Lethbridge dentist will be able to recommend the right type of treatment for your dentinal sensistivity.
Pulpal sensitivity usually calls for a more invasive treatment. The most common treatment is a root canal. Your dentist will give you a shot of novocaine in the gums surrounding the affected tooth. After you have lost sense of feeling, your Lethbridge dentist will drill down to the root of the tooth. The nerve is then removed and replaced with a filling substance. Your tooth root will then be covered by a veneer or a crown. After a root canal is performed, there is no chance of reoccurring pain in that tooth, since the nerve is gone.
