What does sensitive teeth mean?
There could be many reasons that you have sensitive teeth. Generally sensitive teeth means there is an irritation to the nerve of the tooth. A tooth or teeth that are persistently sensitive can warn you of a problem. It is important to let your dentist know if you are experiencing painful sensitivity.
The reason you get that annoying sensation in your teeth is because the nerve of the tooth has been stimulated by something.
The nerve may become inflamed or irritated by bacteria. When a cavity begins to form it usually starts in either the outer layer of the tooth, when it travels through, it meets the inner portion of the tooth and ultimately gets down to the pulp. When the pulp has become irritated due to bacteria, you may be sensitive to different temperatures, sweetness of foods or even the force of your bite.
Recession of your teeth can also cause sensitivity. The root of the tooth is not meant to be exposed to the oral cavity. When your gums recede, the root is much more susceptible to cavities. If the root of the tooth is exposed due to recession then there are a couple options to protect the soft root surface. A filling could be an option to cover an exposed root to prevent sensitivity. The usual procedure to cover the exposed root of a tooth is gum grafting.
Dental decay is another reason you may be experiencing sensitivity. In this case you may need a filling or crown.
Depending on the situation, your dentist might recommend the following:
- Change your toothpaste. After several uses of desensitizing toothpaste you can sometimes help block the pain.
- Fluoride
- Desensitizing or bonding
- A surgical gum graft.
- A root canal.
If you are experiencing painful sensitivity in your mouth, don’t suffer through it.
Call your dental office at