Solutions for Sensitive Teeth

You’re drinking a deliciously hot cup of coffee, when suddenly you feel a terrible sensation in your teeth, almost as though you’re having a brain freeze inside your incisors. Alas, you’re experiencing sensitive teeth: a common but treatable ailment we see a lot of at our Payson, AZ office.
Many people ask us how to fix sensitive teeth. While there’s no single “cure” for this condition, we can recommend a number of options that will ease the pain, including several at home and in the office. But first, you may be wondering what makes teeth sensitive in the first place.

Causes of Sensitive Teeth

Sensitive teeth are usually caused by the erosion of tooth enamel or gums, which can expose the roots of your teeth, leaving these sensitive areas less protected. When the teeth come into contact with any substance, most often a hot or cold one, they experience a sharp though short-lived pain.

You may also suffer from sensitive teeth as a side effect of other dental maladies or procedures, such as:

Cracked or chipped teeth
Gum disease
Cavities
Fillings
Teeth whitening or bleaching

At-Home Solutions for Sensitive Teeth

Over the years, a number of different solutions for sensitive teeth have been developed. Many work very well, such as specially formulated toothpaste. This toothpaste can help to block the pain on a long-term basis, though it usually takes a few days of use before the effects kick in.

Another way to reduce sensitivity is flossing regularly. You should floss daily, of course, to rid your teeth of plaque buildup. But if you’ve slipped out of the habit, you may find your teeth become sensitive as plaque builds up beneath the gumline. Put your floss right next to your toothbrush so you don’t forget.

Eating foods lower in acid may also assist in eliminating tooth sensitivity. That includes drinks, too — soda and juice both have a great deal of acid, which can erode tooth enamel. Finally, getting a mouthguard, if you grind your teeth at night, could cut down on sensitivity.

Solutions for Sensitive Teeth at the Dental Office

If you want a more permanent solution to your sensitive teeth, Anderson Dental can help in many ways, such as:

Applying fluoride: Strengthening your enamel through a round of fluoride application can ward off tooth sensitivity.
Surgical gum grafts: When your gums erode, it’s possible to take a small amount of tissue from elsewhere in the mouth and attach it where the gums have grown thin.
Bonding: We can bond resin overexposed or eroded areas of your teeth, protecting sensitive areas.

Protect Your Teeth From Sensitivity

If you’ve experienced sensitive teeth, you don’t need to keep suffering. You can use these at-home solutions or Payson Dental office for an exam to see how we can help you.

Related Resources:

Signs You May Have a Cavity
Payson Dental Services
Preventing Tooth Grinding

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