Treatments For Dental Sensitivity
Posted on: 16 August 2017
If you have sensitive teeth, you may find it difficult to eat and drink comfortably, especially when items are hot or cold. Still, there are treatments available to quell dental sensitivity. Here are a few of them:
Sealants
Dental sealants are resin or plastic coatings that are applied to the teeth. They are often placed on the grooved chewing surfaces of the back teeth to prevent plaque and debris from accumulating and causing decay. However, sealants are also appropriate for sensitive teeth.
Dental sensitivity is caused by overly exposed dental nerves. The nerves can be accessed through the tubules or tiny tunnels of the dentin layer of a tooth. When the tooth enamel, which is the strongest and outermost tooth layer, is fully intact, it protects the dentin and the nerves that it houses. However, as tooth enamel becomes damaged, the nerves of the dentin are more easily exposed to irritating environmental factors, such as temperature changes.
Sealants can cover exposed dentin to lessen dental sensitivity.
Fluoride
Fluoride can also be helpful if you suffer from dental sensitivity. The substance helps tooth enamel become remineralized so that it can continue to protect the dentin.
As your enamel is exposed to bacterial and food-based acids, it loses minerals. The acid is corrosive and dissolves mineral components of the teeth, such as calcium and phosphorous, leaving the tooth enamel weaker and less protective.
Fluoride coats the teeth, attracts the dissolved minerals and bonds with them to form new enamel material.
In addition to using a fluoride toothpaste, you can receive more fluoride through specialized mouth rinses and professional fluoride treatments from a dentist.
Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth
Toothpaste for sensitive teeth usually contains additional ingredients, such as potassium nitrate, to help block the tubules within the dentin. Some people find immediate relief from using toothpaste with potassium nitrate. However, the effects of the paste are cumulative, so it is best to brush with the toothpaste regularly instead only using it when your dental sensitivity is at its worst.
Night Guards
Dental sensitivity can become worse due to enamel erosion from teeth grinding. If you grind your teeth at night, wearing a night guard can help protect your tooth enamel from the force of the grinding. The more enamel that you can preserve, the less dental sensitivity you are likely to experience.
For more information about dental sensitivity and how it can be treated, visit a dentist in your local area.
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