Have you ever bitten into food and experienced a sharp jolt of pain in your tooth? This sensation, known as tooth sensitivity, can feel excruciating, even if the pain tends to fade when you stop touching the tooth.
Tooth pain of any kind is abnormal and worth seeking attention from your dentist. Even if you find intermittent tooth sensitivity tolerable, you should tell your dentist about the issue because it could be a symptom of a larger dental problem. And the sensation will not go away on its own.
Knowing more about this dental condition can lead you to seek necessary treatment urgently for tooth sensitivity. Find responses from your dentist to frequently asked questions regarding tooth sensitivity when you read on.
Why Do My Teeth Feel Sensitive?
Tooth sensitivity happens when nerves in the underlying dental layer of your tooth become exposed and receive stimulation from an external element, such as food. Usually, your teeth feature a hard outer layer called enamel that covers nerves and prevents uncomfortable sensations from their stimulation.
But the enamel might erode or wear down for a number of reasons. Acidic substances might eat away at tooth enamel, and some dental issues like cavities can also cause damage to your dental structure. When this happens, biting into foods on that tooth could result in intense pain.
Enamel does not regenerate, so these nerves will remain exposed. And you will continue to experience tooth sensitivity until you consult with your dentist.
How Can a Dentist Stop Tooth Sensitivity Pain?
While you cannot regrow enamel to stop tooth sensitivity and restore your damaged dental structure, your dentist can help you replace weakened enamel in multiple ways. Treatment for tooth sensitivity will depend on the underlying cause of the symptom.
In mild cases of tooth sensitivity, a dentist might recommend using desensitizing toothpaste. This toothpaste contains ingredients that block exposed nerves from transmitting pain signals to your brain when stimulated. This brings temporary relief of tooth pain.
If tooth sensitivity is caused by a cavity, a dentist can treat the problem by removing the decay and restoring the tooth with a dental filling. Addressing this underlying dental issue will resolve sensitivity pain as well.
A dentist might need to replace damaged tooth enamel with a dental crown. The ceramic cap will cover the tooth’s surface and seal into place with dental cement. This shields exposed nerves in the tooth to prevent stimulation and stop tooth sensitivity.
Can I Prevent Tooth Sensitivity?
You can lower your risk of developing tooth sensitivity with preventative oral health care both at home and in your dentist’s office. You can keep your teeth strong enough to resist enamel damage with proper oral hygiene. Make sure you brush your teeth at least twice per day, floss daily, and attend regular dental cleanings to remove harmful residues that might erode your dental structure.
You should also steer clear of acidic substances that could weaken your teeth. These include citrus fruits and juices and sugar. Learn more about how your diet can impact your dental health by speaking with your dentist.