What Causes Sensitive Teeth?

Not sure if you have sensitive teeth or not? Well, do you ever get painful sensations when eating something very cold or very hot? If biting into that summer ice cream cone or sipping on that hot chocolate in the winter causes you pain, there is a very good chance you have sensitive teeth.

When teeth are perfectly healthy, the outer protective layer of the teeth protects them from being overly sensitive. That layer is called the enamel. Under the gumline, there is an addition layer of protection called the cementum, which protects the root of the tooth. Deeper yet is the dentin. When both the cementum and the enamel become eroded, the dentin can become exposed, making it hyper-sensitive to extreme conditions.

Treating Sensitive Teeth

Fluoride Gel – during dental visits, dentists or the hygienist will often treat the teeth with fluoride gel to help strengthen them. If effective, it will help reduce the sensitivity of the teeth.

Desensitizing Toothpaste – there are numerous desensitizing toothpastes on the market today. We recommend seeing your dentist for a recommendation based on the products available to you either online, at your local drugstore, or through your dentist. In some cases, after a short period of time, your teeth will become less sensitive and those sharp pains will be no more.

Root Canal – when the root is exposed, your dentist may recommend a root canal. In this process, the infected pulp of the root is removed. In its place, the dentist will place an inert material.

Gum Graft – oral surgeons will sometimes recommend this procedure to replace gum tissue that has been lost around the root of the tooth. If the procedure is successful, it will help reduce the sensitivity of the tooth.

Crown or Bridgework – in many cases involving a root canal and/or a missing tooth, a dentist will make this recommendation. The crown covers the damaged tooth, thereby circumventing the sensitivity issue.

All of these procedures can be very costly, so we highly recommend checking your insurance policy to see just how much is covered. In addition, you can use a NH supplemental dental insurancepolicy to help cover the costs. For more information about these policies for individuals, families, and business owners, click here.