TOOTH SENSITIVITY - WHAT ALL TO KNOW?

WHAT IS MEANT BY TOOTH SENSITIVITY?



In simple terms, it is nothing but the pain or any other discomforting sensation that is experienced by the person on the application of a particular stimulus like cold or hot foodstuff and drinks, cold air/wind or followed by a dental restoration etc.

This tooth sensitivity persists until the stimuli persists and once the stimuli gets removed the sensitivity disappears too in most of the cases.

CAUSES OF TOOTH SENSITIVITY :


  • Cold water
  • Hot water 
  • Sour foodstuffs
  • cold wind
  • New dental filling 
  • Malformed crooked teeth
  • Tooth erosion and abnormal grinding etc 
  • medical conditions like acidity etc.

tooth erosion due to acidity 

FOR HOW LONG DOES THE TOOTH SENSITIVITY LASTS?

Tooth sensitivity occurs in intervals usually lasting for 2-3 weeks. Sometimes it might increases while on some days it lessens.

HOW TO PREVENT TOOTH SENSITIVITY?

  • Do not brush too hard and roughly. 
  • Do not brush for too long. A minute of brushing is good enough.

  • Prevent drinking too much of carbonated drinks.
  • Do not keep safety pins etc in the mouth.
  • Do not consume excessively cold, hot food and sour food like lemon.
  • Consult a doctor if you have tooth-grinding habit.
  • If you have braces on then make sure you maintain good oral hygiene and if possible brush after every meal with a suitable orthodontic toothbrush since braces tends to engage food debris easily.
  • If you are suffering some medical condition like acidity then make sure to consult a physician in that case.
  • Avoid stress since stress is perhaps the main reason for unconcious grinding of teeth at night which leads to tooth wear and finally leading to sensitivity.

IS TOOTH SENSITIVITY CURABLE?

YES! Tooth sensitivity issue can be treated. 

- Now, if you have a mild sensitivity issue which is either localised to few teeth or generalised to most of the teeth then just using a simple toothpastes labelled for sensitive teeth which are commercially available in the market like sensodyne, Colgate sensitive can help to bring relief.



- Even mouthwashes like listerine which are particular towards treating sensitivity issue are now available so even that can be tried.




- Over the counter drugs which relieves pain can be consumed but only under a doctor’s prescription so for that you need to visit your nearby dentist.

- If however the tooth sensitivity you are facing is quite severe and the tooth pastes and medications are not helping and if their is just one or few teeth which are involved then your dentist might in those severe cases suggest you getting a root canal treatment done. But remember, this is the last resort only!

- If you tooth sensitivity issue is related to receding gums leading to the exposure of the root portion of the teeth which usually happens in the elderly people then placing gum grafts in the area of receded gums if possible and feasible can be done.

here in picture b there was root exposure due to the receded gums, so a gum graft was placed in the exposed region as shown in picture c and finally in picture d this is how is appears post operatively after healing.


- Sometimes, just a simple change in your brushing technique can be of help.

- Your dentist can opt for applying fluorides on the sensitive tooth to make the enamel on the tooth structure more hard and mineralised.



- Patients who have recently undergone an orthodontic treatment are more prone to develop sensitivity because the hard protective outer coating on our tooth which is the enamel gets removed in some cases and if such a condition arises then its best to visit an orthodontist who will provide you with better advice on how to go about it’s cure.

- Also, as far as the sensitivity with a tooth that has recently received a new dental filling is concerned then that sensitivity will resolve on its own in a matter of a week or so but if it gets prolonged then don’t hesitate to visit a dentist.

So you need not worry if you developed sensitivity of teeth since it is curable easily. :)

IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO AT HOME TO TREAT TOOTH SENSITIVITY?

Fortunately, there is!

Some of the most common ones which some of you might be aware off too are:



  • Salt water rinses, 2-3 times a day
  • Using green tea as a mouthwash.
  • Vanilla extract (just a drop in a cotton pad is good enough)
  • Onion and garlic juice (again in a cotton pad)

That is all for today’s blog.

For any suggestions and queries mail me at : muskan.3096@gmail.com

Thank you!


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