|
Are you oversensitive?
What to do about touchy teeth
For millions of people, sensitive teeth can make
life miserable. The pain and discomfort make even favorite hot or cold foods
impossible to enjoy. All is not lost, though, says Dr. Steve.
In many cases, sensitive teeth can be
successfully treated bringing you long-sought after relief, he says.
What Causes Sensitive Teeth?
Usually tooth sensitivity (also known as dentin
hypersensitivity) presents as temporary tooth discomfort or pain after eating
cold food, drinking cold liquids, or breathing cold air. (Dr. Steve notes that
if the pain is very intense and prolonged, then you need to see your dentist
because this may be a sign of an unhealthy tooth nerve.)
"Most commonly, the problem begins when gums recede," he says. Like a
protective blanket, the gums cover the roots of your teeth . As gums recede, the
underlying tooth roots are exposed.
Dr. Steve says gums most often recede for one of three reasons:
Improper, heavy-handed brushing of the teeth. It is estimated that 50-90%
of people brush with too much pressure. Over weeks, months and years of
brushing they remove significant gum tissue exposing the tooth roots.
Poor oral hygiene can lead to plaque build-up around teeth and gums. Over
time this plaque hardens into tartar. Bacteria in this tartar are responsible
for the
gingivitis and periodontal disease that cause gum recession.
You may have a condition known as abfraction, which can lead to gum
recession. Abfractions include lines or cracks in the enamel of your tooth,
usually around the of the teeth closest to, or just under, your gum line. This
can occur when one of your teeth is out of alignment with the other, Dr. Steve
says. "If one of your teeth is out of alignment, you end up putting extra
pressure on the tooth and that causes recession at the gum line." As the
pressure continues, bone pulls away from the tooth and the gum follows the
bone because it needs something to adhere to. This condition, however, can by
corrected by a bite adjustment on that particular tooth, he says.
The exposed roots contain small pores which lead directly to the nerve of the
tooth. Pain, pressure, and cold stimuli can travel down through these pores and
trigger the tooth nerve causing pain and discomfort. Normally, the gums cover
the tooth root helping to protect these pores.
Preventing Sensitive Teeth
The key
to preventing tooth sensitivity is to keep the gums from receding.
"Reducing
the pressure you use to brush your teeth helps tremendously," Dr. Steve says.
The problem with this,
he explains,
is that our tooth brushing is an unconsciously ingrained habit reinforced after
decades of brushing and therefore nearly impossible to change. So
Dr. Steve and Dr. Shari
advise people to use
an advanced electric toothbrush like the Sonicare. This toothbrush has sensors
that stop the brush when you apply too much pressure.
Preventing gingivitis and periodontal disease with proper oral hygiene is
also crucial in preventing gum recession. Remember, it takes two to three
minutes to properly brush all your tooth surfaces, Dr. Steve says. Most people
spend less than 45 seconds leaving areas untouched where plaque and tartar can
build up. Flossing is crucial in order to reach the 35% of the tooth surfaces
where brushing can not reach.
Having a bite analysis is also a good idea, Dr.
Steve says, to determine whether
you have the abfraction condition discussed above. The bite analysis is quite
easy. Dr. Steve uses something called articulating paper - which is like carbon paper.
He holds the paper between your teeth while you bite down to see where your top
and bottom teeth might be misaligned. He also takes
models of your mouth to duplicate your bite and then analyzes the model bite to
determine where there may be obstructions or misalignment.
Treating Sensitive Teeth
What
can you do if you experience sensitive teeth? A major advance in treatment has
been the introduction of sensitivity toothpastes containing strontium
chloride. These products, like Sensodyne and a host of others, coax the
minerals in your saliva to crystallize and cover the pores in your exposed roots
so that cold stimuli can not reach the tooth nerve.
"After a few weeks of use the sensitivity usually goes away," Dr. Steve says.
Unfortunately, the same heavy-handed brushing which caused the sensitivity in
the first place can brush away the pore covers created by the toothpaste. This
will cause sensitivity to return. For this reason, he suggests that you use a
toothbrush like the Sonicare in conjunction with sensitivity toothpastes.
"Also, try to avoid highly acidic foods like citrus, soda pop and tea," he
says, "which can increase sensitivity and work against the sensitivity
toothpaste."
Sensitivity toothpastes containing potassium nitrate can also help
reduce tooth sensitivity. These toothpastes desensitize the tooth nerve
directly. Treating teeth with fluoride mouthwashes also can help reduce tooth
sensitivity.
If you cannot get relief by brushing gently and using sensitivity toothpaste,
your dentist has several options for relief, Dr. Steve has some solutions to
help. One solution involves using
a
highly fluoridated product that is then
painted onto the tooth. The fluoride flows into and seals up the microscopic pores.
"We also have a product called Seal and Protect, which
is a sealant that bonds onto the surface of the tooth," he says, "or we can do a
filling restoration with tooth-colored materials , called composite, to bond
right over the area."
If none of the over-the-counter solutions provide relief, Dr. Steve says that sensitive teeth could be a sign of
bigger issues.
"You may think the sensitivity is coming from the area where your gums are
receding," he says, "but it also could be a sign of dying nerve, a fracture in
your tooth or a cavity."
If all else fails, he says, go see your dentist.
|
