Sensitive Teeth

Damaged Enamel Causes Indecent Exposure

Incredibly hard enamel protects your teeth above the gum line so that you can bite and chew without pain or discomfort. Beneath the enamel, a more porous layer, dentin, extends to below the gum line. A soft interior portion called pulp contains vital nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues.

Damage, such as receding gums or chips and cracks in enamel, or heavy-handed brushing, exposes the dentin and can create a condition known as dentin hypersensitivity. Through tiny pores in the dentin, called tubules, temperature fluctuations, air, and pressure can directly affect nerves. This type of sensitivity can cause sudden, acute, and unexpected oral pain. About 45 million Americans suffer from tooth sensitivity, and if you’re one of them, we can help.

Therapies include topical desensitizing medicaments, dental bonding agents or even conservative fillings, which create a barrier similar to natural enamel. Sometimes treating the symptoms is the best solution. We may suggest a soft-bristled toothbrush to protect your gums from further irritation, an electric toothbrush with a pressure sensitive automatic shutoff, or special toothpaste formulated with potassium nitrate or strontium chloride to block or insulate nerves. A fluoride rinse or gel applied to an exposed tooth root may also reduce your tooth sensitivity.

For a few weeks, as you wait for these measures to take effect, you’ll need to monitor what you eat and drink to avoid extreme temperatures. If you experience tooth pain as a result of chips, cracks, receding gums, or damage to your teeth, call us to schedule an appointment so we can determine which solution will best suit your unique case.

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