Solutions for Tooth Sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity can be frustrating, and downright painful. If you have tooth sensitivity, and it is causing you pain or discomfort when eating or drinking, it’s important to see your dentist. There may actually be a dental cause of the sensitivity which could be relieved with specific treatments. Can I also just add that if you are eating or drinking something very hot or very cold, it is actually normal to ‘feel’ it on your teeth. The difference is that it shouldn’t be painful, and the discomfort should not last longer than a split second.

What causes tooth sensitivity?

Firstly, there are many causes, so that’s why it’s always best to speak with your dentist, however, here is a list of the main causes.

1. Tooth decay. Whilst tooth decay doesn’t always make your teeth sensitive, sensitivity to cold and particular sweet things on a specific tooth or teeth can be a giveaway that you may have active decay. If you have tooth decay, please have it treated as soon as possible before the pain gets worse!
2. Tooth brush abrasion. If you are a heavy-handed toothbrusher, or you use a medium-hard bristle toothbrush, you may be damaging your teeth by abrading your tooth’s enamel away. Because the enamel is abraded, the second layer of your teeth (dentine) becomes exposed, which can make your teeth sensitive. Having these exposed areas sealed up with a filling can help with the sensitivity, as well as preventing you from wearing further into the tooth.
3. Root exposure. If you have had gum recession (where your gums lower down your tooth, exposing the roots of your teeth), you may find that affected teeth can be sensitive, particularly to cold or hot food or drinks. Nowadays, gum specialists (also known as periodontists) can perform minor surgery to cover over these exposed root areas.
4. Acidic diet. People whose diets are high in acidic food or drink e.g. drinking lemon juice, sports drinks or soft drinks, can be prone to sensitive teeth because their mouth environment is acidic. We also don’t recommend brushing immediately after consuming something acidic, as the acid will have softened your tooth’s enamel. If you brush straight away, it will cause increased abrasion or your enamel as it has already been softened by the acid. We suggest to apply some toothpaste on your teeth and leave it for 30 minutes prior to brushing.
5. Crack in the tooth. Cracks can allow the passage of hot/cold food or drink to enter your tooth. This can cause increased sensitivity on that particular tooth.
6. Tooth wear. If your teeth are worn down, you may have a very thin layer of enamel on your teeth, or even exposed the second layer (dentine) of your teeth. If this is the case, you may feel hot/cold on the affected teeth more.

What are some solutions to tooth sensitivity?

First of all, see your dentist and have any specific treatment carried out. If your teeth are still sensitive, you may wish to try some of the following suggestions:

1. Sensitive toothpaste. The main sensitive toothpastes available in Australia are Sensodyne, Colgate Sensitive and Oral B Gum Care and Sensitivity Repair. It’s important to note that each product has a different active ingredient to combat tooth sensitivity, so you may actually need to try each product by itself for at least 2 weeks to see if it is effective for you. The active ingredient in Sensodyne is Potassium Nitrate, the active ingredient in Colgate Sensitive it Potassium Citrate, and the active ingredient in Oral B Gum Care and Sensitivity Repair is Stannous Fluoride. Sensodyne in particular has a vast range of sensitive toothpastes as they only make sensitive toothpastes so you may have to research which would be best for your situation. If you have sensitive teeth, I would also steer clear from whitening toothpastes as they often make teeth more sensitive.
2. Remineralising paste (GC Tooth Mousse Plus) or remineralising toothpaste (ClinPro Tooth Creme). Both of these products are only available to purchase at dental surgeries. They have both been clinically proven to relieve tooth sensitivity when used appropriately. Tooth Mousse Plus is applied to the teeth and left on, whilst the Tooth Creme can actually be used in place of your usual toothpaste. They both also prevent tooth decay. We currently stock GC Tooth Mousse Plus, and also Recaldent Gum at Dental Quarters regularly. Recaldent Gum contains the same active ingredient as Tooth Mousse Plus, and is a chewing gum that is actually good for your teeth. It remineralises the enamel subsurface of teeth, and prevents teeth from acid attacks.

Prevention is always better than cure. If you would like to have your sensitive teeth checked, please call us on 6143 5655 or click here to book an appointment online.

Author: Lydia