Are your teeth sensitive? Do you cringe whenever you eat something cold or brush your teeth?
Numerous things could cause this sensitive feeling, including excessive plaque or exposed nerves. Tooth sensitivity, also known as root sensitivity or dentin hypersensitivity, can cause a great deal of discomfort. The stinging pain can distract you from your daily activities and prevent you from sleeping throughout the night.
Fortunately, you don’t have to live with the pain. There are several remedies that you can use to relieve the pain and improve your dental health at the same time.
That said, let’s look at some of the most effective tooth sensitivity treatments.
Use Desensitizing Toothpaste
Frequent application of desensitizing toothpaste can help relieve pain that results from sensitive teeth. You can get a wide selection of desensitizing toothpaste from your local drug store. You should ask your dentist to recommend the most appropriate product for you.
Apply Fluoride to The Affected Area
Another great remedy for tooth sensitivity is applying fluoride varnish to the sensitive tooth. The fluoride will strengthen the enamel and dentin, helping to ease the pain and discomfort. Alternatively, you can have your dentist apply some fluoride gel to your mouth for about five minutes.
Surgical Gum Graft
Tooth sensitivity can sometimes be as a result of your tooth root losing gum tissue. To treat this kind of sensitivity, some gum tissue can be extracted from another area of your mouth and then attached to the affected area. This will protect the exposed roots from cold or irritating substances.
Use a Mouth Guard
Your tooth sensitivity could be a result of bruxism. If you normally grind your teeth, especially at night, your dentist can make a custom mouthguard for you to wear while you sleep. This mouth guard will protect your teeth from pressure and damage. With time, the sensitivity should wain.
Bonding
We’ve seen that exposed root surfaces can cause tooth sensitivity. Your dentist can apply bonding resin to the sensitive root to reduce sensitivity. The dentist may need to use a local anesthetic to make the procedure as comfortable as possible.
Root Canal Treatment
If all the other treatments fail to deliver effective results and your dentist thinks that tooth sensitivity could be affecting your quality of life, they may recommend root canal treatment. Root canal treatment involves the removal of the decayed soft pulp inside the tooth, which is notorious for causing tooth sensitivity. This is a last-resort treatment for serious dental pain that can’t be resolved by other methods.
Conclusion
Tooth sensitivity is one of the most common health problems around the world. It often appears after eating or drinking something that is cold, hot, sweet or extremely acidic. It can be the result of poor hygiene, brushing too hard, or even genetics.
Fortunately, tooth sensitivity can be effectively treated with all the options mentioned above. In addition to these, you should keep proper oral hygiene through brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Lastly, be sure to see your dentist every six months.
