Tooth sensitivity.
Dental sensitivity is a very widespread problem, affecting people of all ages, although it is most common in adults aged between 20 and 40.
Sensitive teeth are the cause of more or less intense pain while eating and drinking hot or cold foods, or when you eat candy and other sugary or acidic foods.
Dental sensitivity.
According to medical and dental associations, dental sensitivity may be due to several factors. Solving the problem is not always immediate and in any case, it is advisable to consult your dentist to treat the problem in a targeted way.
The teeth become more sensitive because the layer of enamel or cementum protecting dentine gets thinner. The dentin, which is the inner layer of the teeth, contains nerve endings, and if it remains uncovered it exposes the nerve endings to hot, cold, acidic or sticky foods.
Sensitive teeth causes.
The causes that may determine dentine exposure are numerous. Among the most common there is the erosion of tooth enamel.
Tooth enamel can be thinned or worn due to wrong use of the toothbrush. If we have a brush with hard bristles and use too much strength while brushing, this could lead to a weakening of the enamel.
In the same way, people who grind their teeth more easily suffer from tooth sensitivity.
Tooth decay, old fillings or broken teeth can cause the exposure of dentin.
Another common cause of sensitivity is the recession of the gums, especially after 40 years of age, or gum disease.
Gingivitis and periodontitis can lead to a recession of the gums and leave the roots of the teeth without protection.
Finally, an excessive sensitivity may be due to an intense consumption of sugary or acidic foods, or there may be a post dental treatment sensitivity, especially after procedures such as crowns, fillings and tooth bleaching.
Tooth sensitivity treatment.
Dental sensitivity can be resolved simply by brushing the teeth more gently or changing nutrition. Also, there are desensitising toothpaste that work after several applications.
Other treatments can be a mouthguard against bruxism, or fluoride gel, an in-office technique which strengthens tooth enamel and reduces the transmission of sensations.
Sensitive teeth.
Crowns, inlay or bonding may be used to correct decay that results in sensitivity. Surgical gum graft might be needed to restore the gum tissue that has been lost from the root.
But if sensitivity is severe and persistent and cannot be treated by other means, your dentist may recommend a root canal therapy to eliminate the problem.
