What You Can Do About Sensitive Teeth

woman with a toothache

At Dugger Dentistry, your choice for cosmetic dentist in West Linn, we know that there are many folks who endure sensitive teeth on a daily basis. Sensitive teeth can make even the most basic actions, such as drinking hot and cold liquids or even just eating painful. Teeth sensitivity is caused when the enamel on the surface of the tooth is worn away, exposing roots through cracks, chipping, or cavities. If you are one of the 1 in 8 Americans who regularly suffer from sensitive teeth, Dr. Dugger and his team have many options to help treat your teeth and help relieve this condition

First Steps

Making sure that you are cleaning and brushing you teeth properly can actually help make sure you don’t end up with sensitive teeth in the first place. Dr. Dugger recommends using a soft bristled toothbrush and making sure that toothpaste you use is not too coarse. At a visit to our West Linn dental office, Dr. Dugger and his staff may observe your brushing behavior to see if you may be bushing vigorously, or if you are using the right kind of toothbrush. They may also ask if you or your partner notice you grinding your teeth at night. This is called bruxism and can also cause sensitive teeth through wearing down the enamel by cracking or chipping the teeth If the dentist does suspect bruxism as the cause, then they may fit you with a mouthguard to help alleviate the issue.

Nerves and Dentin

Dentin is what we call the portion of the tooth that hides the nerve, and when this dentin gets exposed, it can cause sensitivity. Exposure if the dentin can occur in many ways, from receding gum lines to irregular wear on your teeth. Many people feel the effects of sensitive teeth when they drink sweet drinks, eat acidic foods, or come into contact with a large temperature change between cold or hot. This happens because the dentin is full of pores that go way down to where your nerves are. These pores and nerves are easily affected by temperature changes, sweets and acids, causing the discomfort.

Take Care When Eating and Drinking

If you are suffering from sensitive teeth then it is wise to be cautious about what you drink and eat. Some foods that are higher in acid, like citrus, wine, sodas or yogurt, can wear down the enamel faster then others. Limiting large and repeated quantities of these types of items could help your sensitive teeth. You can also help your mouth out a bit, and rinse it with water to limit any buildup of sugars or acids after you eat and drink.

At the dental office, Dr. Dugger and his team have many options to treat sensitive teeth. If they see that they dentin is exposed, then they can use fluoridated varnish that can applied directly to the teeth to help to make the dentin stronger. If they discover that gum disease may be the culprit, then one of the trained hygienists can help with a deep cleaning and a fluoride application. Other times, it may be necessary use bonding material to seal the top of a tooth and the dentin to stop access to the nerve endings. In severe cases, a root canal may even be needed, but making an appointment with the dentist should always be first, so they can see what treatment is appropriate for you.

Contact Dugger Dentistry today to learn more or to schedule your appointment.