Sensitive teeth can be uncomfortable and take the fun out of eating and drinking your favorite things. You have sensitive teeth if hot and cold food and drinks cause discomfort and pain. You do not have to just live with sensitive teeth. There are many remedies available to help you cope with and minimize tooth sensitivity. If you are struggling with sensitive teeth, try these four common treatments.
Many people try to treat sensitive teeth at home. There are several types of products that can reduce sensitivity. Sensitive toothpastes and mouthwashes can lessen the discomfort. Dentists may also recommend that patients switch to a toothbrush with a softer bristle. Some patients have success wearing a mouthguard at night to reduce the impact and damage from teeth grinding.
If patients try home remedies for teeth sensitivity and still have problems, the dentist may prescribe a special toothpaste or mouthwash. Patients may also be able to get a fluoride treatment at the dentist’s office. Fluoride products can help keep tooth enamel hard and lessen sensitivity. The dentist is also a great source for the right kind of mouthguard. The dentist can make an impression of the patient’s teeth and create a custom mouthguard.
Patients with gum disease can also have teeth sensitivity. As gum disease advances, the gums can recede and expose more and more of the teeth. The gums can recede far enough to expose nerve endings, causing patients to feel extreme sensitivity to hot and cold, as well as air. The dentist can treat gum recession with a surgical gum graft. The graft can protect exposed nerve endings and cover the roots of the teeth. The gum graft is only possible if the patient has enough healthy gum tissue in another part of the mouth.
Cavities and infected teeth can cause teeth sensitivity. If the patient complains of sensitivity, the dentist will look for any cavities or signs of infection. The dentist can treat simple cavities by cleaning the tooth and placing a filling. Composite and porcelain fillings are ideal for reducing sensitivity, as metal fillings will still conduct hot and cold.
If there is an extensive infection in the tooth’s pulp, the dentist will need to do a root canal. This procedure removes the infected tissue and fills the tooth. The dentist will then place a composite filling or non-metal crown on the cleaned-out tooth. By clearing out the inflamed and infected tissue, the dentist takes the pressure off the nerves in the tooth. Dentists perform millions of root canals each year, and the procedure is an effective way to reduce teeth sensitivity.
If you have tried at-home remedies for teeth sensitivity without much progress, it is time to see your dentist. The dentist can examine you to look for any reasons why you are still experiencing sensitivity. If you have an infection, a root canal can be a quick and effective way to treat the condition and reduce your symptoms. Schedule an appointment today to find out what your options are for teeth sensitivity.
Request an appointment here: https://sonorandesertdentistry.com or call Sonoran Desert Dentistry at (480) 439-0117 for an appointment in our Scottsdale office.
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