Tooth Desensitization: Causes and Treatment

People with sensitive teeth may experience pain while the intake of hot, cold, sweet, or acidic foods and beverages, brushing or flossing, alcohol-based mouth rinses. It can affect one tooth or several teeth. Many people ignore it. But if not treated can cause serious issues later. Consult with our dental experts at Harmony Dental Care today for tooth desensitization treatment in Oshawa, ON.

Teeth above your gum line are covered with a layer of enamel. The roots below your gum are protected with cementum. Underneath the cementum and enamel, there is dentin, which is less dense than the protective coverings. When enamel or cementum wears down, it exposes the dentin. It is affected by hot and cold foods and beverages. This causes the nerves in the tooth to feel pain and sensitivity.

What Causes Teeth Desensitization?

Teeth sensitivity is typically the result of exposed tooth roots or worn tooth enamel. It causes pain while brushing, eating, and drinking. It may be temporary or chronic. Some people may have natural teeth sensitivity due to having thinner enamel.

Thin enamel can result from the factors such as drinking or eating acidic foods and beverages, using a hard toothbrush, brushing your teeth very hard, grinding your teeth at night. The other main reasons for tooth sensitivity are:

• Tooth discomfort may be caused by cavities, cracked or chipped teeth, worn-out filling. It can leave the tooth dentin exposed causing sensitivity.
• Acid coming out from the stomach can wear down teeth over time and enamel causes sensitivity.
• Gingivitis can inflame the gums that cause them to pull back.
• Dental work such as crowns, teeth whitening, root canal, and restoration also cause temporary tooth sensitivity.
• Plaque build-up on the tooth surface also causes tooth sensitivity.

Desensitization Dental Treatment

The first step is to find out the cause responsible for teeth sensitivity. In desensitization, dental practitioners will look at the health of teeth and check for the problems like a loose filling, cavities, or recessed gums. It could be treated both at home and in the clinic depending on the problem.

1. 1. At-Home Treatment

If sensitivity is less severe and could be treated at home, there are a variety of products available in the market for sensitive teeth.

You may be advised to use desensitizing toothpaste. They contain ingredients such as potassium nitrate and strontium chloride that block the transmission of pain signals from the tooth surface to the nerve of the tooth. You also need to use a mouthwash that is alcohol-free because it will be less irritating to your teeth.

Sometimes just changing your daily habits can relieve tooth sensitivity. It includes brushing twice a day, flossing a day, reduce consumption of highly acidic foods, and regular check-up with your dentist.

1. 1. At-Office Treatment

If you have severe tooth pain, you should visit the dentist to get treatment. At-office dental desensitization procedure includes:

1. 1. • Fluoride Gel

Your dentist may recommend fluoride gel treatment in which the dentist applies a thin layer of fluoride gel. It will strengthen your tooth enamel and stop the transmission to your nerves, causing pain and reduce teeth sensitivity.

1. 1. • Dental Bonding

When some of the tooth roots are exposed, composite resin bonding helps to seal them.

1. 1. • Gum Graft

If you have excess pain and discomfort due to gum recession, you may be recommended for gum grafting by a savvy dentist. It includes taking tissues from the palate and positioning them over the affected root to protect the tooth.

1. 1. • Deep Clean

If plaque and tartar buildup on teeth, it can destroy the bony support of the tooth, which leads to gum disease. To treat it, your dentist may do a deep clean of your teeth that scrape the plaque and tartar below your gum line.

1. 1. • Root Canal Treatment

If your teeth have severe pain and dental examination reveals that tooth pulp is infected, then a root canal may be recommended by the dentist near you.

Benefits of Desensitization

Here’re the perks of Oshawa tooth desensitization treatment:

• It is an easy and quick procedure that permanently relieves pain and sensitivity.
• Desensitization medications permanently relieve the sharp pain associated with the exposed gums.
• Desensitization medication eliminates the thermal sensitivity that often results after a tooth has been treated.

Call and book an appointment now for the tooth desensitization treatment in Oshawa, ON.