If you have sensitive teeth, you are not alone. It is actually very common however, it is not normal. If your teeth are sensitive, you should mention this to your dentist at your routine dental appointment. It could be a sign of a serious dental problem developing. Also, they can make suggestions to help reduce the sensitivity. Dr. Paul W. Karpovich is a general dentist in Timonium, MD that treats patients every day with sensitive teeth.
What Causes Sensitive Teeth?
Tooth sensitivity can happen to anyone at any time and for many reasons. In most cases, the symptoms of this condition are pain or discomfort when your teeth come in contact with hot, cold, or acidic foods or drinks. It is typically temporary and will wear off after a few seconds or minutes. However, if the pain is severe, this most likely means there is damage to the tooth.
What can lead to this pain and discomfort is pretty vast. Some people simply have a thin layer of enamel on their teeth leaving the dentin layer exposed. However, some people’s layer of enamel has worn down over the years. This can be from:
- Brushing tooth hard
- Consuming acidic or high sugar foods and drink
- Teeth grinding
- Poor oral hygiene
- Certain Medications
- Acid reflux
- Chronic dry mouth
There are many other possible causes of tooth sensitivity. The most common problems that Dr. Karpovich sees are gum disease and teeth cavities. Both of these dental problems are caused by poor oral hygiene. Receding gums can also cause it which is also a side effect of severe and untreated gum disease.
Damage to the tooth or the restoration on the tooth can lead to significant sensitivity. A cracked, broken, or chipped tooth should be addressed as soon as possible to avoid this discomfort. Most dental restorations, such as a dental crown or filling, will have some wear and tear over the years. They can also be cracked and damaged. When this happens, it can lead to severe sensitivity.
Treatment for Sensitive Teeth
How we treat your sensitive teeth will greatly depend on why your teeth are sensitive to begin with. After a consult with Dr. Karpovich, we will give you recommendations and schedule you for any procedures you will need. Depending on your unique needs, we may recommend any combination of the following:
- Buying Toothpaste for sensitive
- Using a soft bristle toothpaste
- Using mouthwash with fluoride
- Avoiding sugary and acidic foods and drinks
- Wearing a custom nightguard for teeth grinding
- Replacing broken dental restorations
- Fixing your cracked or chipped tooth
- Gum disease treatment
- Root canal therapy
- Getting a dental filling
- Scaling and root planing
- Having dental bonding done on a tooth
- Getting a dental crown
If you suffer from sensitive teeth, it is important to mention it to Dr. Karpovich at your routine dental appointment. He can find the root cause of your problem and find the right treatment to help with your tooth sensitivity. To book your dentist appointment, call our Timonium, MD office at (410) 221-3085 or request a consultation with Dr. Karpovich on our website.