Sensitive Teeth

Do you have sharp pain in your teeth when brushing, flossing, eating and drinking?

If so, you might have sensitive teeth. Tooth sensitivity is caused by the gradual exposure of the softer part of your tooth that lies under the tooth enamel, called dentine. Dentine has tiny tubes (tubules) that are filled with fluid.

Eating or drinking foods and drinks that are hot, cold or sweet can cause this fluid to move. This fluid movement causes the nerve endings in your teeth to react in response, triggering a twinge of discomfort or a short, sharp pain.

Other factors like cavities, cracked or chipped teeth, teeth grinding and reaction to a recent fillings or reaction to other dental procedures could also cause tooth sensitivity.

What you can try at home for sensitive teeth

• Maintain good oral hygiene by regular brushing twice a day with a soft bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
• Daily flossing of teeth
• Avoid vigorous or harsh scrubbing and  highly abrasive toothpaste
• Limiting acidic foods and drinks such as carbonated drinks and citrus fruit wine and yoghurts which could remove tooth enamel
• Drinking milk or water after eating to balance the acids in the mouth
• Avoiding brushing teeth soon after eating or drinking acidic substances  as this will prevent softening of tooth enamel and make it vulnerable to erosion.

Dental treatment options for sensitive teeth after a thorough dental examination  

• Use of a desensitizing toothpaste to help block pain.
• Fluoride to strengthen the tooth enamel (applied by our dentists)
• Use of tooth mousse daily (available from us) if toothpaste is not helping
• Our dentists’ can use Low level laser therapy to reduce the sensitivity of the exposed root surfaces
• If you grind your teeth, then your dentist may advise use of an appropriate mouth guard to prevent it. This will not only address your sensitive teeth but can also stop you from having cracked teeth.
• The dentist may need to treat exposed root surfaces with a surgical gum graft to replace lost gum tissue from elsewhere in your mouth thus relieving sensitivity on the roots of your teeth.
• A root canal is the final resort when other treatments are not effective. This procedure involves the treatment of the dental pulp. This has proved to be the most successful technique to eliminate tooth sensitivity.

If you have concerns about sensitive teeth, visit your dentist at the dental gallery in Point Cook.  They can help by identify the underlying cause of your sensitive teeth. This will assist in developing a tailored treatment plan.