Key Takeaways:
- Teeth sensitivity: what it is and how it occurs
- Causes of tooth sensitivity
- How to treat teeth roots pain and sensitivity
- Common pitfalls to avoid when suffering from teeth roots pain
Teeth root sensitivity is a common oral health problem that affects people of all ages. The problem is prevalent among individuals aged 20ā40. It manifests as a sharp pain or discomfort in the teeth during certain activities.
Some people feel pain when brushing or flossing their teeth. Others feel uncomfortable eating or drinking hot, cold, sweet, or sour foods and beverages. Breathing hot or cold air may also flare up the symptoms in some people.
The pain or discomfort is usually sharp and sudden but temporary. Most people with tooth sensitivity often don’t know why they experience such pain. This guide will explain tooth sensitivity, identify its causes, and help you understand how TDT addresses the problem.
Teeth Sensitivity: What It Is and How It Occurs
Teeth sensitivity is an oral condition that occurs when your teeth’s nerve or underlying layer (dentin) gets exposed to stimuli. It is a sharp pain or discomfort when brushing your teeth and eating or drinking cold, hot, sweet, or sour foods.
A sensitive tooth has its roots exposed or isn’t covered by the hard enamel. The tooth root contains plenty of tiny tubules and nerves that extend to your tooth’s pulp at the center. These dentinal tubules allow cold, hot, sweet, or sour stimuli to reach the tooth’s nerve(s), causing sharp pain.
Causes of Tooth Sensitivity
The leading cause of tooth sensitivity is exposed dentin ā a tooth’s soft inner layer. It occurs when your gum line recedes or the hard enamel or cementum (a protective layer surrounding the dentin) wears out. Heat, acid, and cold foods or drinks seep into your tooth’s nerves and cells when this happens, causing sensitivity.
Several factors cause enamel loss and may directly lead to tooth sensitivity. These include:
Brushing Your Teeth Too Hard
Brushing your teeth too hard or using a toothbrush with stiff bristles wears down your tooth enamel over time. It causes gum recession, meaning your gum tissue pulls away from your teeth. All this leads to dentin exposure, resulting in tooth root pain.
Cracked Tooth
A broken or chipped tooth is prone to plaque, which hosts bacteria. The bacteria may enter your tooth’s pulp or dentin via the crack, causing tooth pain or insensitivity.
Gum Disease
Gum diseases like periodontitis and gingivitis cause tissue inflammation or soreness, resulting in sensitivity. They destroy the supporting ligaments around the tooth’s root, exposing the surfaces that link to your tooth’s nerve.
Teeth Grinding
Clenching or grinding your teeth may also gradually removes your tooth enamel. This exposes your dentin to heat, cold, or sour triggers, resulting in teeth sensitivity.
Grinding your teeth can eventually harm your teeth roots and sinuses as well. Your dentist may recommend a mouth guard or other dental device to prevent or slow this process.
Regular Use of Teeth Whitening Products
Teeth whitening products are the primary cause of teeth sensitivity. These products contain whitening chemicals that are rough on your tooth enamel. They wear it down over time and expose your teeth roots and sinuses to trigger factors resulting in teeth sensitivity. If you want to brighten your smile, consult your dentist about teeth whitening products for sensitive teeth.
Frequent Consumption of High-Sugar or Acidic Diets
Eating sugary and acidic foods and beverages like coffee, soda, candy, citrus fruits, and refined carbs causes tooth sensitivity. They erode your tooth enamel, making the teeth dentine more susceptible to triggers.
Use of Acidic Mouthwash
Long-term acidic mouthwash wears down your tooth enamel, just like acidic foods. Such products contain alcohol and other acids that are tough on your enamel.
The acids damage your dentin, causing sensitivity. Acidic mouthwash products may worsen teeth sensitivity if you already have exposed tooth roots. It’s advisable to talk to your dentist about using a neutral fluoride solution for your dentin pain or discomfort.
Recent Dental Procedures
Studies show that about 10% of patients are likely to experience tooth sensitivity after recent dental procedures. Some of these procedures include:
- Tooth fillings
- Dental restoration placement
- Dental cleanings
- Teeth whitening
Such dental procedures may provoke tooth sensitivity which ranges between mild and severe. The sensitivity is usually temporary and disappears after several weeks (4ā6 weeks).
Infection between Teeth Roots
A bacterial infection at your teeth’s roots (dental abscess) makes your dentin vulnerable to heat, cold, or sweet. It affects your teeth’ pulp and nerves, resulting in excruciating pain and sensitivity.
Many factors contribute either directly or indirectly to tooth sensitivity. Even though the pain is often sharp, it quickly disappears.
How to Treat Teeth Roots Pain and Sensitivity
Consider visiting a professional dentist to help treat your teeth sensitivity issue. They are experts in this field and dedicate themselves to helping you live a life free from oral health problems. Here’s how a specialist treats teeth sensitivity issues:
Initial Treatment for Exposed Teeth Roots
When you visit a dental care clinic, a dentist checks the gums around your teeth with a tooth root length chart to assess the amount and reason for root exposure. This allows them to create an effective treatment plan for your needs.
The dentist advises you to stop using products that may cause gum deterioration. It could be avoiding tobacco usage, oral piercings, and certain foods or beverages that are harmful to your oral health. These help promote gum tissue regrowth to cover your dentin and treat teeth sensitivity.
Your dentist recommends that you use special toothpaste to seal the pores on your teeth’s surface and protect the enamel. They’ll ask about your oral hygiene routine, brushing habits, and whether you experience acid reflux. The treatment will vary depending on the cause of your teeth root exposure.
Surgical Treatment Options for Teeth Roots Infection
If you have severe root sensitivity, you may require a flap of gum surgery to fix the problem. A gum health specialist will offer periodontal gum treatments like gum grafts.
Your specialist takes gum tissue from one part of your mouth and sticks it to the area with exposed roots. The transferred gum tissue starts to grow and combine with the existing gum to enclose the affected roots.
Working with an experienced dentist and periodontist is a great way to eliminate teeth sensitivity. They offer reliable solutions and recommend suitable products to help ease your pain and treat sensitive teeth roots.
What to Watch for When Suffering from Teeth Roots Pain
The pain or discomfort caused by a sensitive tooth is fierce and affects your daily routine. Consider visiting a professional dentist for the best treatment and care. Here are a few things to watch out for:
- Use desensitizing toothpaste to reduce teeth sensitivity
- Follow an excellent oral hygiene routine to clean your teeth and mouth properly
- Mind what you eat, as acidic foods may worsen the sensitivity
- Avoid grinding or clenching your teeth to prevent enamel from wearing down
- Use fluoridated mouth rinse products to reduce sensitivity
- Visit your dentist frequently for routine checkups, cleanings, and fluoride treatments
Teeth roots pain is manageable and treatable. Use the tips above to help you manage teeth sensitivity symptoms. Talk to your dentist if you still experience discomfort to recommend the appropriate dental procedures or treatments for teeth roots infection, pain, or other teeth roots issues.
Book a Teeth Sensitivity Appointment Today
Teeth sensitivity is a prevalent oral health issue due to various factors. They include exposed teeth roots, worn enamel, cracks, recent dental procedures, and tooth root infection. The condition is treatable through dental surgery and avoiding foods, beverages, and dental care products that wear your enamel.
The Dental Team provides periodontal gum treatments like gum grafts to help ease pain and discomfort among patients with teeth sensitivity.
Our specialists work with you to establish the cause of your problem and create a treatment plan for your needs. Contact us today if you live in Brampton, Milton, Maple, or Mississauga areas to book an appointment and get help easing your teeth roots pain.
