Teeth sensitivity

Causes and Treatments For Teeth Sensitivity

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Teeth sensitivity can occur when you consume hot, cold, sweet, or sour foods and drinks, or even by breathing cold air. Pain can be sharp, and sudden, and shoot deep into tooth nerve endings. Sensitive teeth are typically the outcome of used tooth enamel or exposed tooth roots. Sometimes, notwithstanding tooth discomfort due to other factors, by way of illustration a cavity, a cracked or chipped tooth, a used filling, or gum disease.

 

What causes sudden tooth sensitivity?

Teeth sensitivity

In healthy teeth, a layer of enamel protects the crowns of your teeth. Under the gum line, a layer called cementum protects the tooth root. Underneath both the enamel and the cementum is dentin.Many factors can lead to the development of sensitive teeth, here are a few:

Brushing too hard: Over time, brushing too hard or using a hard-bristled toothbrush can wear down enamel and cause the dentin to be exposed. It can also cause gum recession (when your gum tissue pulls away from your teeth).

Gum recession: Some people are genetically prone to the thin gum tissue. Other people develop gum recession as a result of periodontal disease. With gum recession, your gum tissue pulls away from your teeth, exposing the roots.

Gum disease: Inflamed and sore gum tissue may cause sensitivity because of the loss of supporting ligaments, which exposes the root surface that leads directly to the nerve of the tooth.

Teeth grinding: Grinding or clenching your teeth may wear down the enamel and expose underlying dentin.

Age: Teeth sensitivity is highest between the ages of 25 and 30.

Plaque buildup: The presence of plaque on the root surfaces can cause sensitivity.

Acidic foods: Regular consumption of foods with a high acid content, such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, pickles, and tea, can cause enamel erosion.

Recent dental procedures: People can get sensitive teeth after fillings, teeth cleanings, and dental restoration placement. Sensitivity caused by dental procedures is temporary and usually disappears in four to six weeks.

 

What can help with teeth sensitivity?

Teeth sensitivity

If your sensitive teeth are bothering you, visit your dentist. So they can rule out any underlying causes of your tooth pain. Depending on the circumstances, your dentist might recommend the following:

Desensitizing toothpaste: This contains compounds that help block the transmission of sensation from the tooth surface to the nerve. After several applications, desensitizing toothpaste can sometimes help block pain associated with sensitive teeth. There are a variety of products available over the counter. Ask your dentist which product might work best for you.

Watch what you eat: Frequent consumption of highly acid foods can gradually dissolve tooth enamel and lead to dentin exposure. They may also aggravate the sensitivity and start the pain reaction.

Fluoride gel: An in-office technique that strengthens tooth enamel and reduces the transmission of sensations. Your dentist might also suggest the use of prescription fluoride at home, applied via a custom tray.

Avoid teeth grinding: If you grind or clench your teeth, use a mouth guard at night.

A crown, inlay, or bonding. These may be used to correct a flaw or decay that results in sensitivity. Occasionally, exposed root surfaces can be treated by applying bonding resin to the sensitive root surfaces.

Surgical gum graft. If your tooth root has lost gum tissue, a small amount of gum tissue can be taken from elsewhere in your mouth and attached to the affected site. This can protect exposed roots and reduce sensitivity.

Root canal. If sensitivity is severe and persistent and cannot be treated by other means, your dentist may recommend this treatment to eliminate the problem – a procedure used to treat problems in the tooth’s soft core. 

 

Dentists On Washington has been named one of the best dentists in Philadelphia by multiple platforms. We take pride in our 5 Star Google Rating. We’re full-service dentistry providing Oral Care, Cosmetic Implants, Root Canals, Tooth Extraction, Invisalign Treatment, and much more in Philadelphia. We handle emergencies as well! Schedule Your Appointment.

How Do I Get Rid Of Bad Breath?

How Do I Get Rid Of Bad Breath?

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Bad breath, also called halitosis, can result from poor dental health habits, and be made worse by the types of foods you eat, and other unhealthy lifestyle habits. It can be embarrassing and in some cases may even cause anxiety. It’s no wonder that store shelves are overflowing with gum, mints, mouthwashes, and other products designed to fight bad breath. But many of these products are only temporary measures because they don’t address the cause of the problem.

 

Bad breath odors vary, depending on the source or the underlying cause. Some people worry too much about their breath even though they have little or no mouth odor, while others have bad breath and don’t know it. Because it’s difficult to assess how your own breath smells, ask a close friend or relative to confirm your bad-breath questions.

 

How Can Food Cause Bad Breath?

How Can Food Cause Bad Breath?

The food you eat begins to break down in your mouth and is absorbed into your bloodstream and move to the lungs, affecting the air you exhale.  If you eat foods with strong odors (such as garlic or onions), brushing and flossing — even mouthwash — merely covers up the odor temporarily. The odor will not go away completely until the foods have passed through your body. Other common foods that can cause bad breath include:

 

  • Cheese
  • Peanut Butter
  • Citrus Fruits
  • Pastrami
  • Certain spices
  • Orange juice or soda
  • Alcohol etc.

Surprisingly, being hungry can also contribute to the development of bad breath, as not eating for long periods can reduce the amount of saliva your mouth produces. This can lead to dry mouth. When your mouth becomes dry, bacteria that contribute to causing unpleasant smells have an easier time multiplying. Being hungry also causes changes in the bacteria and enzymes your mouth produces, which can occasionally cause weird smells to develop.

 

Treatments To Getting Rid Of Bad Breath

Treatments To Getting Rid Of Bad Breath

To reduce bad breath, help avoid cavities and lower your risk of gum disease, consistently practice good oral hygiene. Further treatment for bad breath can vary, depending on the cause. If your bad breath is thought to be caused by an underlying health condition, your dentist will likely refer you to your primary care provider. Also, for causes related to oral health, your dentist will work with you to help you better control that condition. Dental measures may include:

 

Mouth rinses and toothpaste. If your bad breath is due to a buildup of bacteria (plaque) on your teeth, your dentist may recommend a mouth rinse that kills the bacteria. Your dentist may also recommend a toothpaste that contains an antibacterial agent to kill the bacteria that cause plaque buildup.

 

Scrape your tongue. The coating that normally forms on your tongue can be a host for smelly bacteria. To get rid of them, gently brush your tongue with your toothbrush. If your brush is too big to comfortably reach the back of your tongue, try a scraper. It will apply even pressure across the surface of the tongue area. This removes bacteria, food debris, and dead cells.

 

Moisten your mouth. You can get tooth decay and bad breath if you don’t make enough saliva. If your mouth is dry, drink plenty of water during the day. Chew sugarless gum or suck on sugar-free hard candy. Also, try a humidifier at night to moisten the air in your house.

 

Treatment of dental disease. If you have gum disease, you may be referred to a gum specialist (periodontist). Gum disease can cause gums to pull away from your teeth, leaving deep pockets that fill with odor-causing bacteria. Sometimes only professional cleaning removes these bacteria. Your dentist might also recommend replacing faulty tooth restorations, a breeding ground for bacteria.

 

See your doctor. If your bad breath continues despite your best efforts, make an appointment with your doctor. They’ll check to see if your problems are related to a medical condition.

 

Dentists On Washington has been named one of the best dentists in Philadelphia by multiple platforms. We take pride in our 5 Star Google Rating. We’re full-service dentistry providing Oral Care, Cosmetic Implants, Root Canals, Tooth Extraction, Invisalign Treatment, and much more in Philadelphia. We handle emergencies as well! Schedule Your Appointment.