IS YOUR TOOTH SENSITIVE?
If on taking hot and cold food or drinks, you feel pain for a while which subsequently diminishes on its own after sometime, then all you need is to visit your dentist as soon as possible about the possibility that you may have sensitive teeth.
WHAT IS TOOTH SENSITIVITY?
Tooth sensitivity is one of most commonly encountered dental problem. Moreover, it occurs when inner layer of tooth is exposed in the oral cavity, so in response to hot and cold stimuli pain arises which is sharp in character and shorter in duration.
It can happen to anyone of any age group but with age its chances and severity increases as outer layer of teeth gets worn out exposing the inner layer.
A sharp nature of pain is felt on taking hot and cold food or in response to cold air, or on taking sweet and acidic food which usually diminishes on removal of the stimuli causing it.
WHAT CAUSES TOOTH SENSITIVITY?
- Gum recession
- Tooth decay
- Long term trauma from excessive and forceful brushing.
- Brushing with abrasive toothpaste.
- Excessive consumption of acid containing food.
- Grinding of teeth(Bruxism)
- Smoking tobacco
- Bleaching
WHAT TO DO IF SENSITIVITY OCCURS?
As soon as you feel these types of sensations in your teeth, you need to visit a dentist.
Dentist will diagnose the condition by using various instruments and then will locate the sensitive tooth and simultaneously will recommend the way to eliminate the predisposing factors causing it.
Treatment options totally depend upon the damage caused to the teeth and it varies for each patient.
If the damage is less and sensitivity is mild, recommending a desensitizing toothpaste and soft toothbrush is enough.
But if the damage is extensive then other treatment options are suggested like
- Fluoride gel
- Filling the exposed tooth part
- Laser treatment for sensitivity
And if maximum part of tooth is worn out and the tooth is very sensitive root canal treatment is the last resort of treatment.
DO’S:
- Brush and floss regularly
- Use a softer toothbrush
- Wait for an hour to brush your teeth after taking acid food.
- Taking healthy food strengthens enamel.
- Consumption of food like
Fibre rich food
Anti oxidant
Sugarless chewing gum is good for health of the tooth as well as the body.
DON’TS
- Don’t brush too hard and too often
- Avoid intake of acid containing food and drinks like soda, high sugar carbohydrate food
- Don’t consume tobacco
