Have you ever had something hot or cold to drink and then you suddenly get a shooting or sharp pain? More often than not, this is a normal nerve reaction due to a slight exposure of the root surface of a tooth that leads to the complaint of sensitive teeth. Tooth sensitivity occurs when gums recede and expose the root surface beneath. This soft layer underneath is called the dentin, which has thousands of tiny tubes that lead to the tooth’s nervous center, called the pulp. Even sweet food or a burst of cold air can trigger pain if you suffer with tooth sensitivity.
There are different reasons that patients have this experience. You should definitely let your dentist know as soon as these symptoms appear, because they could lead to a larger problem. Some reasons for tooth sensitivity may be simply that you are brushing too hard and wearing away the enamel of your teeth. Grinding teeth, usually at night, or clenching teeth can also be a cause of wear and fracture of enamel leading to dentin exposure/sensitivity. Tooth sensitivity could also be the effect of tooth decay or gum disease. If a tooth is chipped or broken, you may also experience this kind of pain. Lastly, many patients that are actively whitening their teeth with over the counter or dentist prescribed whitening solutions also commonly experience sensitivity that typically resolves as soon as the whitening treatments are ceased. Whatever the reason, the number one thing you should do is to inform your dentist about what you are experiencing. He or she will be able to pinpoint the problem and help you to treat it.
Some precautions and things you can do on your own include using toothpaste for sensitive teeth, such as sensodyne. You should also be sure that you are taking good care of your teeth with your regular brushing twice a day and flossing once a day. Rinsing with a fluoride mouthwash daily is also recommended. Acidic food can cause this problem too, so you may want to avoid those.
The very common problem of nighttime grinding and less common problem of wakeful grinding can be hard for patients to detect. Sore muscles, limited jaw function, and noticeable wear on teeth could be clues for patients that think they may be experiencing tooth sensitivity related to grinding. Our dentists can also help you detect the cause of grinding and our orthodontists can help treat the problem by fixing the fit and relationship of the teeth with orthodontic treatment or simply assist through fabrication of custom night guards.
If you have any questions concerning this problem, please let us know.
About Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan, the offices of Drs. Delaney, Plunkett, Ralstrom, Makowski, Thanasas, Ker, and Associates
Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan have specialized in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics since 1968. Our family-friendly office gives patients and families a more comfortable and consistent experience with dentistry from the very beginning. The pediatric dentists treat children from newborn to 18 years of age while our orthodontists provide care for both children and adults, including being an Invisalign preferred provider. The ability to treat all special needs patients reaches beyond our facility, which has treatment rooms available for children who require additional privacy. Valued hospital affiliations allow dental services to be performed at DMC Children’s Hospital and St. John’s Hospital Macomb when needed. Our specialists are also on staff at Henry Ford and Beaumont hospitals.
