Dentist San Antonio Coming to Terms with Tooth Sensitivity

The most common name for dentin hypersensitivity or root sensitivity is tooth sensitivity. The classic signs of sensitive teeth are caused by pain in the teeth brought about by hot, cold, sweet or very acidic foods and drinks, or breathing in cold air.

Receded gums or periodontal disease expose dentin on root areas and this is the usual cause of tooth sensitivity. For those people who are above the age of 65, tooth sensitivity is a very common occurrence but the whole of the world population is very prone to suffer from this condition.

The exposed root of a tooth does not have a layer of enamel like the crowns of your teeth. Instead the roots have a very soft covering called cementum, which once lost leaves the dentin of the root exposed. You can cause the abrasion of the tooth's enamel surface and exposure of dentin by overzealous brushing or using very abrasive toothpaste.

To ensure that what you have is tooth sensitivity or dentin hypersensitivity, it is important to tell your dentist or hygienist so that he or she can assist you in choosing a good treatment. When teeth are sensitive it can be painful to brush them and if you brush poorly because of pain then there is more risk of tooth decay and gum disease. If your case is one where you have pain after taking hot, cold, sweet or acidic food and drinks which can also be a sign of decay with a cavity or hole in the tooth, or a sign of a broken tooth, your dentist will treat you with a filling or other treatment.

Dentin contains thousands of tiny channels that are only visible with a microscope. From the surface, through the dentin to the nerve center of the tooth, the pulp is where these channels run. The channels contain fluid and after eating or drinking hot or cold foods, the fluid in these tiny channels moves and irritates the nerves in the tooth, causing pain.

You can reduce your chances of getting tooth sensitivity by keeping your mouth as healthy as possible with good oral hygiene to help prevent receding gums and periodontal disease. In addition to brushing and flossing properly as recommended by your dentist or hygienist you should use a low abrasion toothpaste which can help reduce the chance that you will have tooth sensitivity. By taking a diet that is not acidic, you can also prevent tooth sensitivity.

Your dentist or hygienist may recommend that you use low abrasion toothpaste specially made for sensitive teeth in order to treat the tooth sensitivity. If you brush with them twice a day, these toothpastes make the teeth less sensitive and they also contain fluoride to help protect your teeth against decay. You may be prescribed a brush-on fluoride gel or a fluoride rinse, or high fluoride level toothpaste that is specially formulated to make your teeth less sensitive and provides extra protection against decay by your dentist as another alternative. These treatments happen at home when you are brushing your teeth and are inexpensive.