Tooth Sensitivity – Prevention And Solutions In Acton

The level of discomfort from sensitive teeth can vary a lot, but you don’t have to put up with it….

Far too many of us suffer with overly sensitive teeth. All teeth are sensitive to a certain degree of course, which is how we avoid putting too much pressure on them when we eat our food.

Without this, we could easily damage our teeth.

The type of sensitivity we are referring to though, is one that comes about when the tooth is damaged in some way or naturally susceptible.

If you have ever winced in pain when you ate or drank something hot or cold, then it is likely that you have a problem that needs to be investigated by one of the team at the Acton Vale Dental Centre. If you choose to persevere with the pain, in the hope that it will improve, you will almost certainly be proven wrong, and, in most cases, the problem will only become worse.

What causes sensitive teeth?

There are a number of issues that can lead the teeth to become painfully sensitive. These are some of the most common reasons, along with natural susceptibility.

Tooth decay – Although you are more likely to experience a general toothache if you have cavities, you may also experience discomfort when your teeth meet either hot or cold temperatures. In either case, you shouldn’t ignore tooth decay and should have the tooth restored as soon as possible to prevent further deterioration. Likely treatments include a filling or perhaps a crown where damage is more significant.

Gum disease – This may not be one of the more common symptoms associated with gum disease but when the gums recede, they can reveal the root section of the tooth which is less well protected than the rest of it. If you notice discomfort around the neck of the tooth, please have this checked out as gum disease is progressive and can eventually lead to tooth loss if not treated.

Enamel erosion – This is one of the most common reasons for having sensitive teeth and the rise in this problem may well be connected to the increase in popularity of high sugar energy drinks. We don’t need to tell you that sugar is damaging to the enamel on your teeth, but these drinks also contain high acidity levels which can wear away the protective enamel.

When this happens, the more sensitive layer beneath the enamel becomes exposed, often leading to a painful experience. Patients that brush their teeth too hard or too long may also experience the same effect and you should take care not to do this whilst also making sure that you clean your teeth effectively.

Bruxism – If you grind your teeth together, and you may not know if you do this as it often happens when we sleep, there is every likelihood that you will cause damage to your teeth in the form of cracks or breakages. Both of these can expose the inner part of the tooth and cause discomfort. If you suspect you may have this problem, please talk to one of your local Acton dentists for further advice.

Treating sensitive teeth

If you have sensitive teeth, your first step should always be to consult your dentist. Where damage has occurred, you will need to have the tooth professionally restored. The following are some of the treatments that may be needed.

Fillings and crowns

One of the most common tooth restorations which can be used for cavities and some types of damage to the tooth. You can now have a natural looking white tooth filling to not only restore the functionality of the tooth (and to get rid of the sensitivity) but maintain its natural appearance too. For more significant damage, your dentist may recommend a crown be fitted to help strengthen the tooth.

Root canal surgery

In some cases, you may have an infection in the root canals of the tooth. This can happen when a tooth is damaged but not treated in time. Once the bacteria has caused an infection in this area, a root canal procedure is the most effective solution to restore the tooth.

Porcelain veneers

Where enamel erosion is the cause of your discomfort, the most likely solution that we may recommend is the fitting of dental veneers. These are essentially a very fine layer of porcelain that is used to replace the front surface enamel of the affected teeth. This usually requires a slightly invasive treatment but provides a long lasting solution for what can be a very painful problem.

Where there is no obvious issue that requires restoring a tooth or teeth, patients with sensitive teeth may try a tooth sensitivity toothpaste. These work by either acting to soothe the nerves of the tooth or acting as a barrier to prevent the hot or cold sensation from reaching the nerves. Although this can be effective, you should always seek the advice of your dentist first in case you require treatment to prevent a problem from worsening.

To resolve the issue of painful tooth sensitivity, make sure you make an appointment at the Acton Vale Dental Centre to have the problem investigated. You can contact our reception team today by calling us on 020 8749 3267.