Have you ever bit into a cold or sugary treat and felt a sharp jolt of pain in your tooth as a result? This can happen due to a condition called tooth sensitivity. Though this type of pain may come and go, it can feel excruciating in the moment and may affect your diet over time.
Even if you do not feel this pain all the time, tooth pain of any kind is abnormal and should be evaluated by a dentist promptly. To encourage you to seek urgent dental attention for this symptom, you should learn more about it. Read on to find responses from your dentist to frequently asked questions regarding tooth sensitivity.
Tooth Sensitivity FAQs
Why Do My Teeth Feel Sensitive?
Tooth sensitivity occurs when an external stimulus, like food, touches the nerves in the interior layer of dentin within the tooth. Healthy dental patients have a protective outer shell in their teeth called enamel. But if enamel becomes damaged or erodes, it can expose dentin and the nerves there.
These nerves will send pain signals to the brain when stimulated, hence why the pain occurs at the point of contact with the external threat. Enamel damage can occur in a number of ways, but once enamel is lost, it will not regrow on its own.
You will need help from your dentist to alleviate this symptom. Tooth sensitivity can occur as part of a larger dental problem too. So you should not wait to tell your dentist about this concern. Otherwise, the condition will likely worsen and leave with you with lasting dental damage.
How Will My Dentist Relieve Sensitivity Pain?
Treatment for tooth sensitivity will vary depending on the reason this symptom occurs for you. Mild cases of enamel loss can often be fixed with the use of desensitizing toothpaste. This product contains ingredients that block nerves from transmitting pain signals so that you will no longer feel this pain.
A dentist may also replace weakened tooth enamel through restorative dental solutions like a crown. The dental crown is a ceramic cap that fits over a damaged tooth and seals into place. This creates a new, durable, protective layer over the tooth that will restore its structure and stop tooth sensitivity.
Tooth sensitivity can also occur as part of a larger dental concern, such as a cavity. When a dentist treats a cavity and gives you a dental filling, they also resolve the sensitivity pain. Learn which treatment will suit your needs by scheduling an appointment with your dentist.
Can I Prevent Tooth Sensitivity?
While you will need a dentist’s attention to resolve most cases of tooth sensitivity, you can take action to prevent this issue on your own. Practice good oral hygiene to get rid of harmful residues on your teeth that might eat away at your dental structure. Proper oral hygiene will include attending routine teeth cleanings with your dentist though.
You should also limit the amount of acidic and sugary foods and beverages you consume. These can also wear down your enamel as you eat and drink them. Learn about more healthy oral habits at your next dentist appointment.