There's No Pain Like Tooth Sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity can stop you in your tracks. It's not until you have tooth sensitivity that you don't give it much thought. You eat two to three times a day. At times, you have snacks, and you may have countless beverages during the day. Any food or drink can cause pain when you have sensitive teeth. Suddenly, eating and drinking becomes unbearable. Relax, we have some solutions for you. One involves contacting us immediately to schedule an appointment with our Los Angeles dentist. Minor cases of tooth sensitivity can be remedied by avoiding food and drink that causes pain. Chronic cases of tooth sensitivity may include restorative dental treatments.

How Tooth Sensitivity Occurs

Your tooth enamel and dentin can erode. Once this happens, small tubules in the dentin become exposed. These holes allow for heat, cold, sugar and acid to cause pain to the tooth's nerves. The nerves are located beneath the gum-line, and they can produce a significant amount of pain if left untreated.

There are Several Ways Nerves are Exposed:

• Enamel erosion—Enamel erosion can happen in a few ways. Aggressive brushing, eating or drinking acidic foods or drinks, gum-line recession, irregular oral hygiene habits, and dental decay can cause enamel erosion.
• Dental decay—Dental decay causes dentin to erode. The more dentin is eroded the more susceptible nerves are to react to hot or cold food and drink. It's important to brush teeth properly to remove bacteria from the mouth.
• Tooth damage—Chips and cracks can expose the dentin or the nerve of a tooth, which increases sensitivity.
• Tooth whitening—Tooth whitening procedures can remove enamel from the teeth. This is especially true with at-home methods of tooth whitening. At times, people leave tooth whitening substances on their teeth for extended periods of time. Minor sensitivity will subside, but it's better to avoid enamel erosion.

There are Ways to Reduce Sensitivity

Begin using a toothpaste that will aid in the reduction of tooth sensitivity. Avoid eating or drinking extremely acidic foods and drinks. This can include coffee, citrus fruit, wine and juices. Use a soft-bristled brush, and avoid applying too much pressure to your teeth and gums when you brush your teeth. Avoid food and drink that is hot or cold. Also, avoid brushing your teeth until 30 minutes after eating or drinking.

Tooth Sensitivity Dental Treatments

These are some of the dental treatments that have proven effective for tooth sensitivity:

• Prescription toothpaste or mouthwash
• Porcelain veneers
• Dental bonding
• Crowns
• Composites
• Fillings
• Onlays or inlays

The treatment you receive depends on your individual needs and severity of tooth sensitivity. Don't put off your office visit. Your tooth sensitivity may continue to increase. Contact us to schedule your appointment with our Century City dentist.